Why is Chewing Important and Beneficial for Dogs?

Why is Chewing Important and Beneficial for Dogs?

We all know that chewing is a completely natural activity of dogs throughout their lives. Most of us can relate to those little land-sharks (aka puppies) trying to ease their teething pain by chomping on our furniture, leather shoes or our hands. Most dog-owners buy several toys and chews to help their fur-babies through this less than pleasant stage, which lasts a couple of months. However, encouraging your dog to chew shouldn’t be limited to the teething phase only as regular chewing has plenty of benefits.

Health Benefits of Regular Dog Chewing

• Relieves teething pain
• Reduces boredom
• Reduces anxiety & frustration
• Provides mental stimulation
• Prevents destructive behaviour
• Removes plaques and tartar from the teeth
• Keeps jaws strong & healthy preventing gum disease
• Keeps away bad breath
• Burns excess energy
• Helps puppies explore the world

Chewing is often regarded as a negative behaviour due to its potentially destructive nature. However, as the list above shows it’s everything but negative! The important thing to bear in mind is to re-direct that behaviour to safe and enjoyable chews.

Select your chews wisely

Before purchasing any chews (be it natural edible chews or toys), it is important that you consider the size of your dog, his chewing habits, bite strength and of course what he/she likes to chomp on. You want to get something safe and enjoyable for your dog.

Please also bear in mind the points below:

• Any chews or even toys can cause choking or blockages, therefore it is essential to always supervise your dog, whilst she/he is having a good old chomp
• Please also remember that no dog toy is indestructible and if you have a vigorous chewer on your hand, you might be better off keeping away from toys and opt for natural chews instead
• Don’t give fresh bones too often as they can cause constipation (in some dogs it can cause diarrhoea too)
• When it comes to bones, choose raw or air-dried and not cooked or roasted as those can splinter puncturing the oesophagus, stomach or intestines. Beef knuckle or shin bones are often roasted!

 

Safe dog chews

• Chomper boxes – choose from Puppy; Power; Adult; Mighty; Easy; Sensitive; Chubby and Ultimate
• Buffalo skin –  long lasting and low-odour chew, full of natural protein, with no preservatives (suitable from 12 weeks+)
• Pizzles – long-lasting, excellent dental chews which are loved by even the fussiest dogs (suitable from 12 weeks+)
• Buffalo horn – Long-lasting chew which can be used as natural KONGs. Ours have an open end at both end preventing potential suffocation and keeping it more hygienic (suitable from 12 weeks+)
• Ostrich bones – highly nutritious and a super safe delicacy. A gently air dried, non-splintering bone, providing a single source of protein. It is the perfect way to entertain your dog in the house or garden whilst also keeping your dog’s chompers clean. A fantastic, less messy alternative to raw bone options. The bonus is that ostrich bone is otally odourless as well. (suitable from 12 weeks +)
• Large Deer Leg (there is a small one in the Mighty Chomper Box). Deer legs are excellent, long-lasting chews for dogs. Deer legs are suitable for dogs with sensitivities or allergies as they are hypoallergenic treats.
• Beef tails – we have the whole range (normal, Jumbo; Supersized; Meaty) and all of them are excellent dental chews
• Antlers and split antlers – Naturally shed antlers make fantastic dog chews because they are totally natural, sustainable, long lasting, provide good minerals and are odourless to humans (suitable from 8 weeks+)
• XL pig ears – All dogs love pig ears and these big boys will keep your dog entertained for a while. The Porky Delights is a good alternative if you want smaller ears and your dog is a fan of pork snouts and pork bites.

Toys for chewing

There are many toys on the market claiming to be indestructible but there is no such thing! There are many, which are made to last and withstand powerful chomping but if you do have a dog that destroys all toys, I’d advise you to save your money and focus on the edible chews instead.

How often should I give my dog chews?

You can give your dog chews daily or every other day and you should give some hard, dental chews at least twice a week so that any tartar can be removed and the jaws and gums get some good exercise. How often you give your dog chews really depends on the circumstances but as noted above giving some every day or other day is great and if your pup looks bored, you can get his/her mind stimulated by some chewing or doing some scent work whereby you hide some treats or chews in the house and your pooch has to sniff it out.

If you think you have given your dog too many in a day, please reduce his/her food intake to compensate for it.

Chewing is something that a dog needs to do at all stages of their life It is totally normal for puppies and adult dogs to chew on objects as they explore the world. Young dogs, just like babies chew to relieve the pain of teething. For adult dogs it is nature’s way of keeping teeth clean and jaws strong and healthy.

Can chewing be a sign of a problem?

Chewing however can be negative for dog owners because a dog will also chew to relieve mild anxiety, frustration or boredom. If the stimulus becomes too much for the dog however, the chewing can get out of control and cause major damage to property and contents. Chewing that has reached this level is no longer healthy and the underlying trigger for the destructive behaviour will need to be treated professionally.

What are the benefits of chewing?

• Mental and physical stimulation and thus behaviour stability. Ripping, shredding and tearing at muscle meat as well as crushing bones, works the jaw and neck muscles and uses up energy. Dogs can benefit from chewing either raw meaty bones or from a correctly chosen chew. Dogs that chew bones/chews typically settle well and are calm following a bought of chewing.
• Chewing is a primal and instinctual activity. It releases endorphins which heighten the sense of pleasure and well-being. Dogs that are both mentally and physically stimulated by chewing are less likely to engage in destructive, boredom driven, behaviours.
• Chewing helps to improve dental hygiene and so reduces bad breath. Bones or chew bones are hard. As the dog chews the bone, it’s teeth are cleaned and the gums are strengthened. Processed dog foods are soft and so leave plaque behind on the teeth which ultimately leads to bad breath and possible heart disease. Also, a dog’s saliva does not contain the enzyme amylase which is needed to break down sugars. As commercial dog foods often contain high levels of carbohydrate sugars these stay in the mouth and encourage bacterial growth which leads to dental issues and bad breath.

What to be careful about when letting your dog chew.

• All fresh bones and commercial chews can also cause choking and blockages, especially if you do not supervise your dog while she chews, or if you choose bones of the wrong size.
• Do not to give too many fresh bones as this can cause constipation.
• Do not feed large cooked bones These can result in broken teeth or punctures to soft tissues like the oesophagus or intestines. Big, baked, circular beef leg bones (femurs)can fracture the shearing carnassial teeth or get stuck on the lower jaw. A cooked rib bone can become lodged between the teeth of the upper jaw, causing a dog to paw at their mouth.
• A natural chew bone made from rawhide can be a good alternative for a heavy chewer but please make sure that you are buying a truly natural rawhide product. There are many products on the market that, on closer examination can be highly toxic for your dog.

Chewing is often thought of as negative dog behavior — especially when it relates to your pooch chewing on your shoes or furniture. However, there are many benefits to chewing for dogs that you may not be aware of, which is where dog toys for chewing come in handy.

Benefits of Chewing

We believe that every home should have chew toys for their dogs. Here’s why:

Chew toys may be safer for your dog than dog bones.

Despite common associations made with dogs and bones, bones can be dangerous for dogs. They are a choking hazard and can harm your dog’s mouth as well as cause broken teeth, digestion issues, and blockages. Cooked bones and rawhide are especially unsafe. We recommend heavy-duty, durable rubber, non-consumable, chew toys to safely satisfy your pup’s instinct to chew.

Chew toys promote dental health.

Chewing can help clean your dog’s teeth and gums — like Arm & Hammer, but for your dog’s mouth. The act of chewing helps smooth the teeth and scrapes away at tartar. It also promotes antibacterial saliva that cleanses your dog’s mouth. You may also notice your dog’s breath improving from dental chews! Just remember that chews can never replace a bristle brush. Always brush your dog’s teeth and supplement their dental health with chews.

Chew toys can relieve dogs of stress and anxiety.

Just like yoga or meditation may be calming for humans, chewing can be a zen activity for dogs. When anxious, dogs tend to chew in an effort to ease those feelings. If your pup gets stressed at the sound of fireworks and storms or suffers from separation anxiety, try giving them a chew toy during those times to help keep them calm and happy.

Dog chew toys help with teething puppies.

A puppy chew toy is a must for your new furbaby! Chewing can help ease the pain that puppies are experiencing while they are teething. If your pup’s gums seem extra tender, dog owners can try putting a chew toy in the freezer before giving it to your pup for an added soothing effect. Chewing also promotes teeth growth so your puppy can develop healthy and strong adult doggie teeth.

Dog toys for chewing provide mental stimulation.

Just like dogs need physical exercise, they also need mental stimulation. Chewing is a really exciting activity for dogs and requires a lot of their focus. Chew toys and interactive dog toys are great ways to build your dog’s brainpower!

Durable dog toys help prevent destructive chewing.

As you now know, dogs LOVE and NEED to chew. However, you don’t want your leather shoes or fancy furniture to be the victim of your dog’s natural chewing instincts. Chew toys are a great way to prevent destructive chewing. If you can redirect them to toys meant to be chewed on, they can reap all of the above benefits without damaging any of your shoes!

Chew toys keep your pup occupied.

Chew toys are a great way for your dog to get some solo play in when they don’t have a tug-of-war partner. While they are busy gnawing on chew toys you can get some work done or eat dinner without being interrupted.

Things to consider when buying your dog a chew toy

It is important to make sure you are choosing an appropriate and safe chew toy for your dog whether they are a large dog or a small dog. Be aware of your dog’s chewing habits, strength, and what size and durability level of toy works best for them.

Keep an eye out for signs that the toy may be dangerous or need replacing. And when it comes to playtime with a chewy toy, you should also always remember the 10 Chew Commandments.

10 CHEW COMMANDMENTS FOR DOGS:

Here are the 10 chew commandments you should know while your dog is in chew heaven, so they have fun and stay safe. Every dog is different, so please always keep an eye on them whenever they have any chew toy.

1. These are meant for dogs only. Sorry kitty cats and cute kiddos.
2. Many chew toys are non-edible chew toys. These are not meant to be eaten.
3. Take chew toy away if large pieces are coming off as this could present a choking hazard. A good guide is if a piece larger than a grain of rice is coming off, then it’s time to replace with a new toy.
4. Watch your dog especially if they’re an aggressive chewer. some chew toys are made of hard materials that could potentially damage your dog’s teeth.
5. Some dogs may be allergic to some of our flavorings. Please always make sure your pet is not allergic to the flavor you bought.
6. You know those kids toys you step on in the middle of the night and hate? Don’t let these chew toys be one of those!
7. Our chew toys are best for dogs with adult teeth. Please be conscious with puppies and older dogs.
8. Always pick the right size chew that best matches your pet’s size and chewing style. We provide guidelines on our packaging and website for the recommended size chew for your size dog. Choose the largest size you think your dog will be comfortable chewing.
9. It’s best to provide a variety of chew toys and other interactive toys to keep your dog engaged.
10. If your dog has swallowed a piece of this chew toy, please promptly visit your veterinarian.

 CHEWING – WHY DO DOGS CHEW?

Dogs, especially puppies are extremely playful and investigative. While play with people and other dogs is an important part of socialisation and social development, exploration and object play are important ways for dogs to learn about their environment. Therefore it is a normal behaviour for puppies to investigate their environment by sniffing, tasting and perhaps chewing on objects throughout the home. Dogs that chew may also be scavenging for food (as in garbage raiding), playing (as in the dog that chews apart a book or couch), teething (dogs 3 to 6 months of age that chew on household objects), or satisfying a natural urge to chew and gnaw (which may serve to help keep teeth and gums healthy). Some dogs may chew because they receive attention (even if it is negative) or treats from the owners each time they chew, and the owners are inadvertently rewarding the behaviour.

Chewing and destructive behaviours may also be a response to anxiety. Dogs that are confined in areas where they are insecure may dig and chew in an attempt to escape. Dogs that are in a state of conflict, arousal or anxiety, such as separation anxiety, may turn to chewing and other forms of destructiveness as an outlet.

How can chewing be treated?

First, determine why the dog is chewing. If the dog is a puppy or young adult dog that is chewing at a variety of objects in the household, it is likely that play and investigation (and perhaps teething) is the motive. Dogs that raid garbage and steal food off counters are obviously motivated by the presence and odour of food. Some dogs are attempting to escape confinement while in others chewing may be an outlet for anxiety. Determining the cause and motivation for chewing is therefore essential in developing a treatment strategy. Directing the chewing into appealing alternatives, sufficient play and exercise, and prevention of inappropriate chewing are needed for the exploratory dog. You must ensure that you are not inadvertently rewarding the behaviour. Inattention or disruption devices may be useful for these dogs. If the dog is a puppy this behaviour may decrease in time, provided you direct the chewing to proper outlets. Dogs that are garbage raiding or food stealing need to be treated by supervision, prevention and booby traps, since the behaviour itself is self-rewarding. Dogs that are destructive to escape confinement must learn to become comfortable and secure with the cage or room where they are to be confined. Alternatively a new confinement area may have to be chosen. Dogs that are destructive as an outlet for anxiety, will need to have the cause of the anxiety diagnosed, and the problem appropriately treated.

How can proper chewing be encouraged?

Before considering how inappropriate chewing might be discouraged the real key is to provide some appropriate outlets for your dog’s chewing “needs.” Begin with a few toys with a variety of tastes, odours, and textures to determine what appeals most to the pet. Although plastic, nylon or rubber toys may be the most durable, products that can be torn apart such as rawhide or pigs ears may be more like the natural prey and wood products that attract most dogs. Coating toys with liver or cheese spread or peanut butter may also increase their desirability. The Kong? is a durable chew toy, but its appeal can be greatly enhanced by placing a piece of cheese or liver inside and then filling it tight with biscuits. Placing soup items or food into the Kong and freezing it, or freezing food items in “Popsicle” makers and placing them in the dogs food bowl may provide a little longer durability to the treats. Numerous other play toys are also available that provide a means for stuffing food or treats inside, so that the dog has to “work” to get its reward. To ensure that your puppy is encouraged and rewarded for chewing on its toys, and discouraged from chewing on all other objects, it must be supervised at all times. Whenever supervision is not possible, you must prevent access to any object or area that might be chewed. Although play periods and chew toys may be sufficient for most pets, additional activities such as self-feeders, other pets, interactive toys, and even videos may help to keep pets occupied.

 Chewing is good for your dog’s mental and physical health, so it’s important that you provide them with plenty of safe and appropriate things to chew on. Fail to do so and they’ll come up with their own chew “toys,” like your most expensive pair of shoes, the legs of your dining room chairs, the nearest electric cord, or even your arm!

There are a LOT of dog chews and chew toys available these days! Which ones are best? Which should you avoid? How do you choose? Are rope toys safe for dogs? Are nylabones bad for dogs? What about rawhides?

To help, we’ve put together this 3-step guide so you can “chews” wisely and safely. And, since no two dogs use a toy the exact same way (see the “Chewsonality” section below), we’ve also included a few words of caution about the different types of chews and chew toys so you can best assess which types might be best for your dog and so you can know what to look out for if any problems arise.

If you want to learn what types of dog chews to avoid, check out Potential Dangers of Popular Dog Chews.

 

3 Simple Steps to Choose Your Dog’s Chew Toys

Step 1: Figure Out Your Dog’s Chewsonality and Chew Style

It doesn’t matter if you have a tea-cup-sized Chihuahua or a pony-sized Mastiff all dogs generally have a desire and love for chewing. However, each dog has their own style of chewing. Before you go chew toy shopping, it’s important to observe your dog and determine what type of chewer your dog is — their “chewsonality.” Which one of these best describes your dog?

• INHALER: Now you see it, now you don’t! Inhalers bite off large chunks of edible chews and swallow them fast — which is why they’re also known as “Gulpers.”
• DESTROYER: These are the dogs that try to (and often succeed in) thoroughly destroying whatever they get their mouths on! These dogs love to shred their chews and toys. They may or may not swallow what they destroy, so be careful because there can be some overlap between a “Destroyer” and an “Inhaler.” And these hybrid chewers can certainly be very difficult to shop for!
• NIBBLER: These dogs are lovers, not fighters. They take their time and savor their chews and toys slowly, giving them the respect and attention they deserve. Preventive Vet pup, Sookie the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, shows you her nibbler style in this video:

Often on toys and chews, the recommendations for which one to select are based on the intensity with which your dog chews. So if you struggle classifying your dog’s chewsonality based on the above options, perhaps this will help.

• The gentle chewer: These types of chewers are easy on toys, and rarely do they ever destroy them (which is always helpful). They prefer plush or fabric toys. Their tendency is to lick or suck on the toys.
• The average chewer: This is a lot of dogs. These types of chewers play with all kinds of toys (which makes shopping much easier). They will often carry toys around with them from place to place. Plush and fabric toys generally get destroyed, but only rarely will they be destructive with rubber toys.
• The power chewer: These chewers are more discerning when it comes to toys. They are strong and determined when they are chewing. These types of chewers need durable and interactive toys made of firm rubber. One helpful tip when selecting toys for the power chewer is to size up above the recommended weight and size range.

We don’t want to forget the teething chewer or the senior chewer.

The teething chewers are puppies chewing for instinct but also to relieve pain and discomfort from teething. Be sure that their chew toys can withstand their sharp needle teeth! Additionally, they require significantly more supervision than experienced older chewers.

For senior chewers, it is important to still provide them with the option to chew but be sure that you are using a chew that has a bit of spring to it and will be gentle on their aging teeth (possibly worn), gums, and jaws. Senior dogs can have arthritis in their jaws, so picking a toy that is suitable for that is important.

Now that you have a couple of ways to classify your chewer let’s take a look at some options that will hopefully make your chew toy search easier.

Step 2: Choose the Best Chew Toy Options for Each Chewsonality

Now that you’ve figured out your dog’s “chewsonality,” take a look at the general types of chews and toys that are most likely to be safe and entertaining for your pup’s chewing style.

For Inhalers:

• Rubber Toys
• Stuffed Toys
• Balls

For Destroyers:

• Rubber Toys
• Edible Chews

For Nibblers:

• Rubber Chew Toys
• Stuffed Toy
• Edible Chews
• Balls

Use this list to pick the best type of chew or chew toy for your type of dog. However, just because something is on your dog’s “best list,” doesn’t mean there aren’t things to watch out for. Be sure to check our chew-toy safety tips below.

Step 3: Buy a Quality Chew Toy

Every dog is different and each dog might chew differently. And there is a seemingly endless variety of chew toys. Follow this simple guide to make sure whatever you pick is a quality product for your dog.

Hardness: Generally, if you can’t bend or break a toy with your bare hands, it is likely best to avoid it. But if you are really strong, this may not be the best test. Try these tests instead.

• • The thumbnail test — if the toy doesn’t “give” a little bit when you press it with your thumbnail, then it’s too hard for your dog and could break and crack their teeth. If you are like me and have brittle nails, there are other options to determine if a toy is too hard.
  • The ‘hammer rule’ — if a nail cannot be driven through the chew, your dog shouldn’t be chewing on it.
  • The ‘knee cap rule’ — if you hit your knee with a toy and it hurts, that means the chew is too hard or heavy for your dog.

Softness & Durability: The toy also should not be so soft or poorly constructed that your dog will be able to chew it apart and swallow pieces, chunks, or the stuffing inside.

Coating: It should not be coated or treated with flavorings that can cause digestive upset (like the coating on pig’s ears).

Size & Shape: It should not be so small that your dog could choke on it, nor of a shape that they could get their tongue or muzzle stuck in it.

Washability: You should be able to put it in the dishwasher or washing machine/clothes dryer to be periodically cleaned and disinfected.

Entertainment Value: It should be able to provide hours of chewing entertainment and distraction, either because it will last a long time, you are able to stuff it with treats/food, or your dog just really enjoys playing with it.

Even if your chew meets all these guidelines, you should always monitor your pet when they are chewing on toys. It is always important to be sure they are not choking or gagging, trying to consume too much at one time or they are not trying eat products not meant for consumption.

Pros and Cons of Different Dog Chews and Toys — Knowledge Is Power

At the end of the day, choosing the things your dog will chew on is likely to involve a bit of trial and error as you get a better feel for your dog based on how they chew and interact with a particular toy or snack.

Some chews and toys can provide additional benefits for your dog, like mental stimulation or helping keep their teeth clean. However, it’s also true that chew toys have the potential to cause problems. Always closely observe your dog the first few times they’re playing with a new chew toy or eating a new type of chew. And, even in the long-term, keep watch and if you’re at all worried about a particular toy, don’t leave your dog alone with it, or just take it away and try another.

If you notice any of the following, it’s time to take the toy away and schedule a vet visit:

• Blood on the toy or space where they’ve been chewing it
• Changes in eating habits. For example, chewing differently, avoiding hard food, or refusing to eat at all.
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Less energy, appetite loss, or disinterest in playing after chewing on a particular toy or treat

The truth is, although some chews are better than others, it’s important to know the potential problems associated with each type of dog chew or toy. Even if you’ve never had an issue and have friends who say the same, many vets and other dog lovers have seen these problems first-hand. The following breakdown is not meant to scare you. Instead, we hope you will keep these warnings in mind so your dog can enjoy their chewing, and do so safely.

Summary

A dog should be given the opportunity to chew on a regular basis. You can either offer fresh meaty bones of an appropriate size for your dog or buy a commercially produced 100% natural chew. Both these options are good for your dog if they are correctly supervised. Here at the Woof Club, we give both to our dogs on a regular basis.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.