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Chew toy options for powerful chewers
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Pictured are sterilized shin bones, Nylabones, and Kongs.
On the top row, we see a shin bone and a Nylabone that
are no longer safe and are ready to be replaced.
It is too cold, slushy, and salty out there for the outdoors to be a real option for helping me fulfill the dogs today. Thankfully, three are older and the puppy has the treadmill, but it’s evident they need more on days when we have to skip walking so I must find another way to occupy them. Chewing is one way I get their attention and encourage them to lie down. Chewing is a natural outlet for stress, a fun way to pass time, and it helps with dental hygiene. There are pretty restricted chew options in my home given the tenacity and powerful chewing style of two of my dogs. The sterilized stuffed shinbone, the black Kong, and an assortment of Nylabones for the powerful chewer are the three options the dogs have to choose from.
The sterilized shinbones are not for all chewers and are very hard. One of the reasons I like them, though is that most of my dogs can’t chew pieces off (that could be swallowed and cause health problems) and they can be stuffed with canned dog food, peanut butter, etc. They can actually be purchased pre-stuffed in many flavors, but the label may indicate that prolonged use could cause upset stomach. Replace this toy as soon as it starts to splinter.
The Kong was something I resisted purchasing for the first few years I had dogs, because I was afraid that they’d chew pieces off and get sick or die. I didn’t know what I was (they were) missing! Though I have seen a very high-energy dog chew a tiny piece off a Kong before, my own pets never have. I stuff the Kongs with canned food, peanut butter, dog cookies etc sometimes. My biggest dog loves to play ball, but can’t have any actual spheres in the house, because she’ll play ball with herself and become a bull in a china shop! The Kong is the closest she can have to a ball inside, and she carries it around constantly. Replace these as soon as they show punctures or missing pieces.
I had similar fears with the Nylabones. Really, any bone that is not meant to be digested is something you should analyze to see if you’re potentially putting your pet at risk, It wasn’t until last month that I bought a couple value packs of Nylabones for powerful chewers and shared them with my pack. The dogs went crazy, especially for the chocolate flavored ones. I’m sure we won’t get to keep them as long as the manufacturer would like consumers to think they’ll last, but they’ve been a wonderful option for my pack. Thus far the only pieces that have come off were smaller than a grain of rice, and they say this will pass without issues, and we have not had any trouble. The manufacturer recommends that you replace this toy as soon as the ends are gone.
There are endless options for chew toys and ways to occupy your pet when you’re snowed in. Consider the needs of your individual dog and consult your vet if you’re unsure before taking this advice. Whenever offering a new toy, a toy you have doubts about, or until you’re POSITIVE your dog can’t destroy a toy in your absence, it is vital to supervise play.
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