With chewing being so vital to a dog's well being, one must know what can safely be given. It is important to do your research and choose the right options. There are chews that are safe and chews that are not safe. There are chews that provide a quick burst of fun, and chews that allow for long-lasting enjoyment. Luckily, there are many great options. Unfortunately, one of the most popular chew items isn't as ideal as people are led to believe.
The danger of choking is a real threat when feeding rawhide, as is the potential for blockages in the intestines as well as general intestinal upset. Since rawhide chews are not entirely digestible, if a large piece is swallowed by your dog the chances of it becoming lodged somewhere in the body are quite high. Intestinal blockages are life threatening and often fatal when left untreated.
There are a lot of alternatives to rawhide, most of which are completely safe and even have nutritional benefits. Most are inexpensive and there are a few options that will last your dog even longer than a rawhide does! These products are readily available these days and have proven to be a fantastic addition to any dog's arsenal of chews.
If you do not feed raw, consider learning more about it. Raw feeding provides a fantastic opportunity for dog's to chew and crush bone - which is exactly what they are biologically designed to do. Dogs are instinctually drawn to the act of chewing. If you are unable or unwilling to feed raw, offering a raw recreational bone is the next best option. Knuckle bones or marrow bones are great options, are long lasting, and typically safe.
These are only a select few out of a large list of great options. Consider other things such as dried sweet potato chews, beef tendons, beef trachea chews, veggie chews, duck feet and dehydrated beef tripe. There are many nutritious chews that can benefit your dog, so do your research and let your dog enjoy this primal activity.
Click here to learn how to make your own dehydrated sweet potato dog chews!
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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com