There’s always something new in the world of dog chews. From edible natural chews to durable man-made chews…as dog owners, we have a huge variety of “new” products to choose from all the time. And we all know how important it is to give our dogs something safe to chew on.
So, with all the products out there (of course, all claiming to be the “best”) how can we judge what’s best for our loved
animals? Today, I’d like to share 3 considerations that I always use when helping a customer or giving Tuck a chew….that I hope will help you in choosing the best chew for your dog:
(1) Size of your Dog: Often overlooked, the right size chew is almost as important as what chew. We always want to make sure that the size of the chew is considerably larger then what can fit in your dog’s mouth. The reason is that if a chew is too small, dogs have a tendency to try and swallow the chew . This can not only pose a danger, but also defeats the point of giving the dog something to chew on. We like to go “oversized” for all dog chews for this reason. We want the dog to be forced to chew (and chew, and chew)…instead of creating a choking hazard. This fact is precisely why you’ll often see us disregarding “size charts” on chew toys and going one size larger.
(2) Personality of your Dog: This is a huge factor in choosing the right chew. Some dogs, like my Tuckerman, have very soft mouths. Some are extremely aggressive chewers. Knowing your dog is important to purchasing the most appropriate, safe chews. For example, for our strongest four legged customers, we recommend extra dense, man-made chews that tend to hold up better and provide a greater safety margin. While less aggressive chewers may prefer a softer chew and will get more use out of a different type.
(3) Purpose of Chew: Lastly, what is our goal? Sometimes, it may be as simple as giving a dog a “treat” to keep him/her busy during a car ride. This may be a very different solution than if our goal is to give a chew while we are away at work for hours at a time. There are also chews made specifically for dental health (preventing tartar buildup, gum health, etc.)
With the right information and a few questions, picking an appropriate chew does not have to be overwhelming or confusing. I hope that the 3 considerations above are helpful for you. I use them all the time for my own dog…and for helping customers on a daily basis.
As always, thanks for reading…and see you soon at Appalachian Tails!