Chew Treats for Dogs

Dogs love to chew, and unless you provide items for it to gnaw on, your dog will destroy your furniture and your belongings. Chewing is an instinct for dogs. It exercises their jaws and helps to keep their teeth clean. It also gives them something to do that engages their minds and gives them an outlet for bored or nervous energy. Provide your dog with a variety of healthy, safe and appropriate chew treats to keep it entertained and happy between walks and playtime.

  1. Types of Chews

    • When you think of chew treats for dogs, an image of a bone may immediately come to mind. They are certainly one option. Natural bones can be found at pet stores, and they come in different shapes and even flavors. Some knuckle bones are filled with peanut butter, while others are basted with beef or chicken flavoring. There are also rawhide chews, often referred to as bones, to consider. These too come in multiple flavors, shapes and sizes. Pig's ears are another type of chew you can find at a pet store. In addition to these types of treats, there are toys, such as Nylabones, that were created for a dog's chewing pleasure as well.

    What Chews to Get

    • The answer to this question might surprise you: Get all of them. You should provide your dog with as many different options as possible. You don't have to buy them all at once, but giving your dog options when it comes to chewing can keep it from getting bored. Different textures and different tastes provide different types of mental stimulation for your dog. You may find that your dog dislikes a particular type of chew, or that its system can't handle it. If pig's ear, for example, makes your dog throw up, don't buy those again. Stick to chews you know your dog enjoys.

    Buy Size &Age Appropriate Chews

    • You should purchase chew toys and treats that won't harm your dog's teeth or jaws. There are chews designed specifically for dogs of varying sizes. Natural beef knuckle bones, for example, will be extremely difficult for a small dog to chew. A Maltese may break its teeth on one, whereas a German shepherd might crunch through it in a matter of minutes. That German shepherd, however, could choke on a rawhide twist made for smaller teeth. Even puppies that will eventually grow into large dogs should be given smaller chews. Puppy teeth are more sensitive and more fragile than adult dog teeth, so chewing on harder, larger bones may harm a puppy.

    Chew Treat Safety

    • Though most rawhides and bones aren't actually intended for consumption, dogs usually do eat these as they chew. In most cases, this won't be a problem, but if your dog swallows a piece that is too large it may get lodged in the throat and cause choking. Don't give your dog access to bones, rawhides or pig's ears when you aren't home. Check the labels of the rawhide chews and natural bones that you buy. Chews made in America are subject to stricter preservation and transportation rules than chews made in other countries, and can be healthier for your dog.