Chew on This: The Benefits of Chew Toys for Dogs
Chewing is often perceived as undesirable behavior in dogs, particularly when it involves your furry friend gnawing on your shoes or furniture. However, there are numerous advantages to chewing for dogs that might surprise you, and this is where dog chew toys prove invaluable.
Mila
Just doin’ a smol monch
Explore some of the benefits of dog toys designed for chewing below!
-
Chewing plays a vital role in maintaining your dog's dental hygiene, acting as a canine version of Arm & Hammer for their mouth. The chewing action contributes to teeth smoothing and tartar removal, while also stimulating antibacterial saliva that cleanses the oral environment. Dental chews may even lead to an improvement in your dog's breath! However, it's crucial to note that while chews are beneficial, they can't substitute a thorough brush with a bristle brush. Always incorporate regular teeth brushing into your dog's dental care routine and use chews as a supplementary measure.
-
Similar to how yoga or meditation brings calmness to humans, chewing can serve as a zen-like activity for dogs. When experiencing anxiety, dogs often resort to chewing as a means to alleviate those emotions. If your furry companion becomes stressed during events like fireworks or storms, or struggles with separation anxiety, consider providing them with a chew toy during such moments to promote a sense of calmness
-
A chew toy is an essential for your new furry addition! Chewing plays a crucial role in alleviating the discomfort associated with teething in puppies. To provide additional relief for your pup's tender gums, consider placing a chew toy in the freezer before offering it. Additionally, chewing supports the growth of teeth, aiding in the development of healthy and robust adult doggie teeth for your puppy.
-
Dogs have a strong affinity for chewing, and it's a vital need for them. However, you probably don't want your leather shoes or couch to fall victim to your dog's natural chewing instincts. The solution lies in chew toys, serving as a excellent means to deter destructive chewing. By redirecting your dog to toys designed for chewing, they can enjoy all the benefits mentioned earlier without causing any harm to your footwear!
-
Similar to the need for physical exercise, dogs also require mental stimulation. Chewing proves to be an engaging activity for dogs, demanding a significant amount of their focus. Introducing chew toys and interactive dog toys serves as excellent methods to enhance your dog's cognitive abilities and stimulate their brainpower!
Ensuring the safety of your dog involves selecting a suitable chew toy, regardless of their size—whether large or small. Take into consideration your dog's chewing habits, strength, and identify the most suitable size and durability level for their needs.
Stay vigilant for signs indicating potential danger or the need for a replacement. Additionally, during playtime with chew toys, always keep in mind these safety tips:
-
They are not meant to be consumed.
Remove the chew toy if large pieces are breaking off, as this could pose a choking hazard.
Monitor your dog, particularly if they are aggressive chewers.
Ensure toys are not made of hard materials that could potentially harm your dog's teeth.
Some dogs may be allergic to certain flavorings, so always ensure your pet is not allergic to the chosen flavor.
Avoid turning chew toys into midnight stepping hazards like those kids' toys. Put them away once they are done chewing.
Choose the appropriate size chew toy based on your pet's size and chewing style, following the guidelines on toy packaging.
Provide a variety of chew toys and interactive toys to keep your dog engaged and entertained.
In case your dog has swallowed a piece of the chew toy, promptly seek veterinary assistance.
Recommendations
-
We purchased the package that came with:
The Pupsicle
Pupsicle Treat Tray
Pupsicle Pops
This is a great toy for us because it is durable - We’ve had it for well over a year now and there are no chunks missing. Kona use to gnaw and nibble at her kongs and eventually we would have to replace them.
The Pupsicle Pops were great but once we ran out, we could choose to buy more or make our own! We still have a few bags of the pops left but we also make a whole bunch in advance and keep it in the freezer.
To clean, we just put it in our dishwasher but if we are in a pinch a rinse with dish soap and water does the trick!
Anytime our dogs hear us trying to screw or unscrew the top from the base of this toy they KNOW they’re in for a treat and they go bananas.
-
We purchased the package that came with:
The Bento Ball
Bento Treats
This is a great toy for us because it is made with durable material that is stronger than rubber, making it great for powerful chewers.
We’ve had it for well over a 2 years now and there are no chunks missing.
It makes a great dental toy because it has gum massaging nubs.
They come in different sizes: small, medium, large. We got a small for Mila and a medium for Kona. They use them interchangeably.
It keeps them occupied for any where from 30 minutes to an hours, sometimes longer depending on how focused they are on the toy that day.
To clean, we just put it in our dishwasher but if we are in a pinch a rinse with dish soap and water does the trick!
Anytime our dogs hear us trying to put a new treat in the Bento they go bonkers.
The can. be tough to insert the treat in the toy, but we learned if you wet the treat a bit and then attempt to put it in the bento, it makes it much easier!
-
This toy was well loved by Mila and Kona during their first two years, when they were heavy chewer and also teething. Eventually because we got other toys (the pupsicle and bento ball) the benbone fell by the way side. We keep it in a bone bowl for the girls and occasionally they will take it out themselves to gnaw on and they still enjoy it.
This toy is a bit on the harder side so if your dog has sensitive or brittle teeth - I would suggest trying something else.
-
Stay tuned! Currently still in the review phase :)
