Chew Toys
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs. Teething, stress, boredom, and lack of adequate exercise can also be contributing factors for the need to chew. This insatiable need can sometimes lead to the dog exhibiting destructive behaviors. It is up to you to provide an adequate amount of stimulation through play, training, and exercise. For the times of the day that you are not available, appropriate toys for chewing as well as education are available and should be provided to your dog. These toys prove to be very helpful in focusing their energy in a positive direction. An added benefit is that your furniture and shoes will be spared!
When deciding what is appropriate for your dog to chew on there are several factors to consider, included but not limited to the size and age of the dog, the chewing strength, the durability of the toys, etc.
There are multiple companies that manufacture toys that are safe for you dog and will help to break up the monotony of the day. It is smart to rotate your dog’s toys every few weeks to prevent he/she from getting bored with the same toys day after day. A favorite toy of many dogs is the Kong. The Kong Company provides a wide variety of products in many different colors. They provide the traditional Kong from the Puppy Chewer all the way to the Senior Chewer, with everything in between. They offer a wide variety of educational toys as well as water toys and snuggies for bedtime. The Kong provides educational stimulation through the small hole in the traditional cone style Kong. You can fill the toy with your dog's favorite bite sized treats and it is up to the dog to figure out how to get it. Kong also provides their own “stuffing” and treats designed for these toys.
Just as there are many safe chew toys to choose from there are a many unsafe toys available as well. An example of a not so safe chewie would be cow hooves. Cow hooves can easily splinter leading to the possibility of choking or swallowing of a sharp edge. Some toys can be safely played with and chewed on with supervision, but become unsafe if left with the dog alone. Ropes and stuffed toys can fray and become un-stuffed exposing a squeaker small enough to be easily swallowed by many dogs. These toys are fine for your dog if you are close by to monitor the play, but can be very harmful to the dog if left on their own. Consumption of strings from the rope toy or stuffing and squeakers can lead to serious intestinal blockages. An intestinal blockage more times than not will require surgery and sometimes ends fatally.
All toys have some degree of risk involved, especially to very strong aggressive chewers, as they are capable of destroying almost anything! The following list will provide examples of safe chew toys and examples of chews you should avoid.
SAFE
KONG – Offers a wide variety of products to choose from; Durable; Educational
STERILIZED NATURAL BONES – Do not splinter easily; May cause chipped teeth
MARROW BONE – Available at most grocery stores meat dept; Does not splinter easily
Can be messy; May cause chipped teeth
NYLABONE – Consumable, but normally lasts a while; Variety of flavors
NYLABONE’S SUPER TUFF RHINO-Great for aggressive chewers; Durable rubber
KONG WUBBA’S – Available in water, regular, and snugga; Strong chewers should
be supervised
DEVELOPMENTAL BALLS/BONES – Stuff with treats; Challenges Dogs
UNSAFE
COW HOOVES – Splinter easily; Choking hazard; Possible to swallow sharp edges
PIG EARS – Possible for dog to break off and swallow large pieces; choking hazard;
Should be supervised
RAWHIDES – Become soggy; Easy for dog to break off and swallow large pieces;
Unhealthy chemicals; Bacteria
ROPES – MUST BE SUPERVISED; Strings may fray and break off; Possibility of
Internal blockage
STUFFED TOYS- MUST BE SUPERVISED; Normally plush is easily punctured
Leading to un-stuffing. Choking hazard; Small squeaker inside most