Dog Chews: A Guide to Choosing the Right Ones
Dog chews aren’t just simple snacks—they serve important purposes.
It’s good to know that chewing is an instinctive behavior for dogs, and chew toys primarily satisfy this innate need.
The production of endorphins, which reduce stress, and the reduction in adrenaline are just some of the benefits of satisfying chewing, which contributes to the physical and mental health of both puppies and adult dogs.
Chewing also helps remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, which helps maintain your dog’s oral health.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Chews and Snacks for Dogs
When choosing chew toys, their intended use, palatability, texture, and caloric content should be evaluated based on the dog’s size and age.
For puppies, it’s best to choose soft, easily digestible chew toys, which are perfect for relieving teething discomfort.
Depending on their size, adult dogs can handle harder and sturdier chew toys as long as they are the right size.
A chew toy that is too small could pose a choking hazard, while one that is too large might be difficult to handle.
For older dogs, whose dental health may be compromised, soft, natural chews that do not strain the gums are recommended.
Types of Dog Chews
Dog chews can be divided into several categories, each with its own characteristics and benefits.
- Dried treats—such as ears, beef tendons, strips of meat or skin, and tripe—provide long-lasting chewability and are very popular with dogs.
- Cartilage and trachea: Their elastic texture helps stimulate chewing and exerts a gentle mechanical action on plaque.
- Plant-based: Some chew toys are made from plant-based ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, and can be an excellent option for dogs with food sensitivities.
- Enzyme-based dental treats: They target the causes of bad breath, plaque, and tartar, and help clean teeth and freshen the mouth.
- Deer antlers: They come in various sizes to suit all sizes and ages, and they are long-lasting
- Coffee or olive wood: Since they are fairly soft, they can break apart and be swallowed, causing intestinal inflammation and, in extreme cases, an obstruction.
So be careful, because not all chewing gum is the same—and, more importantly, some types should be avoided at all costs.
Dog Chews to Avoid: Cooked Bones and Raw Bones
Among the various types of chew toys available, bones—both cooked and raw—are particularly important because of their popularity.
However, they can pose significant health risks to dogs.
The hard-boiled eggs are among the most dangerous chew toys.
During the cooking process, the bones become brittle and tend to splinter.
Chicken and turkey bones are particularly prone to breaking.
These shards can easily become lodged in a dog’s gums or esophagus, causing serious injury.
If they reach the stomach and intestines, they can cause perforations or blockages, often requiring emergency surgery.
Even raw bones—although considered by some to be a safer alternative to cooked bones—are not entirely risk-free: one such risk is that they can transmit bacterial infections caused by Salmonella or Escherichia coli.
In addition, they can cause constipation.
Even the famous buffalo hide bones should be avoided
Yes, buffalo hide bones are very dangerous and should be avoided.
These are not real bones, but chemically treated tanning byproducts that can cause choking, intestinal blockages, and allergic reactions.
In addition, they are bleached and treated with potentially toxic or carcinogenic chemicals and held together with glue.
If you chew them for a long time, they become soft and slippery, and there’s a risk they’ll slip down your throat.
As a general rule, however, it is essential to always supervise your dog while he is chewing on any snack.
And finally, remember that the best dog chews are those that don’t contain sugar, artificial colors, chemical preservatives, or flavor enhancers.
If you need helpful tips and advice on choosing the best chew toys for your dog—ones that are appropriate for their age, physical condition, and specific nutritional needs— please contact us and schedule a consultation with our team of veterinarians, who are always here to help.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
