The Best and Worst Chew Toys for Dogs
August 12, 2020
Giving your dog a chewy treat is one of the most pleasurable parts of the day for both you and your dog. But just because they sell them in the pet store doesn’t mean all dog treats are good for your dog.
When you say the word ‘treat’ to your dog, the expression they give back to you is priceless. Who would want to give that up? So let's take a look at some of the chewy treats you want to avoid.
Bones
For wolves and wild dogs, bones are an essential part of their diet and help to boost calcium and vitamin D intake. However as much we like to think of our dogs as domesticated wolves, their nutritional needs are not the same. A good quality dog food will provide all the nutrients your dog needs to stay fit and healthy.
But don’t dogs like to chew? Yes, they do. It’s a great form of exercise and helps in dental health as well. Even so, bones can splinter and cause injury to your dog’s mouth and digestive tract. It doesn’t matter if they’re raw or cooked, bones can be hazardous to your dog’s health and safety.
Nylon Chews
In every dog toy box in every house across the country, you’ll likely find a nylon chew toy. Some of them are nubby and others are smooth and look like a regular bone; each poses its own threat to your dog’s health. The nubby nylon chews can fray and your dog can swallow those bits of plastic. These can, again, cause injury to the inside of your dog’s mouth and gut. In addition, nylon chew toys are so hard they can increase the chances of your dog breaking a tooth.
Wooden Sticks
Throwing sticks for dogs is a traditional part of childhood and something that gives you and your canine hours of pleasure. But sticks can splinter and get lodged in your dog’s mouth or intestines. In fact, there are reported cases of dog’s being impaled by sticks, after running after one sticking out of the ground. Sticks can also harbour bacteria, as well as mold and fungus.
Pigs’ Ears
This crunchy favourite is as popular with dogs as pork scratchings are to humans. In its pure state, it’s not a bad choice as far as chewy treats go. But there is one problem. Most brands are coated in an oily preservative that is known to cause stomach upset in many dogs. Even if you find your dog can tolerate these greasy treats, the additives in these products are not the most healthy option.
Antlers
What a good idea for a chewy treat and environmentally friendly too. Deer and Elk regularly shed their horns and these are collected, packaged and shipped off to your pet store. But as tempting as all this sounds, antlers are incredibly hard and pose a dental hazard for canine teeth.
Ice Cubes
Giving your dog an ice cube on a hot summer day seems like the best way to cool them down and provide some chewy fun. Not a problem, ice cubes just melt anyway. But not if your dog has anything to do with it. They’ll bite through an ice cube with great zeal and possibly break a tooth in the process. Doggie dental bills are expensive.
Hooves
These smelly chews are really bad for splintering and breaking into jagged, sharp pieces. You certainly wouldn’t want your dog to swallow something as sharp as that.
Hard Cheese Chews
You don’t see these too often in the pet store anymore and for good reason: many dogs are lactose intolerant. This means that any kind of dairy-based product will cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Also, hard cheese chews are just that – too hard to chew!
What Kind of Chew Toy Is Best for Your Dog?
When you review all of your options for chew toys, a couple of things keep coming up: Is it too hard and will it splinter? The kind of chew toy that would benefit your dog is the Kong-style of chew – something they can happily sink their teeth into without breaking a tooth!