The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: happygolucky on July 29, 2013, 01:29:32 pm
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I keep reading all sorts of horror stories about dog teats bones, chews etc and now am totally confused, any dog we have had as pups always chews on logs that are around, I try to keep them out of their way, they also always chew on chair legs or plaster on the room courners, that's also discouraged but, what is good for them to chew.......I now walk past all the dog treats as the softer chews last seconds and some give ours the runs, so the only treat at the moment apart for training treats, is a big carrot!!
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there were selling cow hoofs at pets at home at the weekend. our labrador swallows most treats whole. treats are very expensive nowadays. i remember buying dog chews for 5 with my pocket money as a kid ;D
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I had to take a baby bird off my Lab yesterday, she brought it to me but no idea where she got it from, Labs usually get through any treat super fast
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Mine get some of their food as treats when training. Nothing else. No need fro treats unless they perform something you asked them to do.
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Maybe I was not clear but I did not mean treats more stuff to chew as young dogs in particular like to chew.....I have heard so many bad reports about all sorts of chews.....not sure what's best now and even balls apparently can be bad!! Mine do not play with balls either, I have a training dummy (one sank) then they have loads of soft toys but the 1 year old that slayed with us for a short break, took every dog toy we have plus took log after log and lots of my pegs, she never chewed anything up but did dig out some plants and did destroy the plastic collar we had from the vet but did not need!!
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Don't know then, sorry. I don't seem to have chewers - had one Cocker that chewed once because I had to leave her alone for a couple of hours. She was very remorseful :innocent:- it was an internal wall, chewed the gyproc a bit.
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ALL my dogs are chewers.
Nylabones are very good. Strong, long lasting, good for their teeth, and safe. You can buy different sizes and 'strengths'. Universal paws up from all of mine.
Some of mine like Kongs, and some don't.
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My dog has had a nylabone for 18 months. He loves it
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My Flattie has never been a chewer ..... just carries everything around ::) . The vet advised us to give him a raw bone once a week to chew on because even as a young dog he seemed to get "dirty" teeth. He does enjoy chewing these and it did help his teeth. I know some people don't like giving raw bones but the vet said that there were small risks with everything but this was the natural thing for a dog to gnaw. Alf isn't a greedy dog so chews them well. If my father visits and we give his labs similar bones they are occasionally sick afterwards ..... gobble them I think. ::)
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ALL my dogs are chewers.
Nylabones are very good. Strong, long lasting, good for their teeth, and safe. You can buy different sizes and 'strengths'. Universal paws up from all of mine.
Some of mine like Kongs, and some don't.
Our Setters & Weimy love nylabones too :thumbsup:
Only Merlin, my Weimy, can get through the biggest ones in less than a week ::) The Setters still have some that are over 6 years old - well the ones Merlin's left alone :innocent:
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Nylabones are a vets worst nightmare, that and the Stagbars. Trying to remove a fractured carnassial tooth is awful. We did one the other week 2.5 hours trying to remove one tooth- only a tiny bit of the crown was there the rest has snapped off.
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So what does a vet recommend?
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Now that's what I am getting at, a person who has one of our Labs had to go to the vet due to a chipped tooth and the vet frowned upon nearly everything, even tennis balls, that's promoted me to ask the question, ours do not chew at all now but did as pups, one used to love chewing the fence and the other liked anything plastic!!! SO.....what if not those Nylon bones? I did have some for the last lot of pups but not so sure!!
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Well, I've had 8 dogs chew nylabones all their lives, as have my parents 10 dogs, and not a snapped tooth among them.
Seems safer to me than stomachs full of splinters or bits of plastic.
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There are so many horror stories about many items but I'd rather give my GSD pups something safe..er to chew on that them to start teething on my furniture or trying to find relief with sticks or door posts :innocent: ( yes, one did ).
It's choosing the safest option for the breed of dog. That said, sticks, stones and balls ( unless attached to a rope ) can be very dangerous as I know of many dogs that have lost their lives over the years. However in 25 years I've only seen one dog have a problem with a raw hide chew and it was a very small, narrow one still hard as unchewed.The large ones need some chewing to get bits off which softens them enough to help them through the digestive system. I love using the huge ones for pups.
The nylabone I wouldn't use again after I treated my terrier and GSD to one each of appropriate sizes. They are not edible yet both dogs chewed them up. Luckily it passed through them with no side effects.
Kongs are great, can be stuffed with breakfast or treats, frozen meat in for teething and great interaction with owner. Black ones are very tough red ones fine for gentler mouthed dogs.
Tried a stag bar after recommendation. Removed it after a few hours when it started splintering. Just like bone, it is indigestible and small pieces can build up compacting andcausing blockage or severe constipation. Or the risk of splinters piercing the stomach or intestines and causing peritonitis.
I personally think the choice is in the type and nature of the individual dog. The health risks being taken into priority.
I use ball on a rope for training but would never leave my dog with one as he would chew the rope which is dangerous in itself and then the risk of the ball getting stuck.
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wev had a dog scratch his throat on a deers leg, chip his teeth on a pigs head but wev never had a problem with him eating welly boots. he must have ate 15 pairs in his puppyhood. so wellies are the way to go :roflanim: :roflanim:
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wellies it is then :thumbsup:
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:roflanim:
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Mind you, ours chewed our cheap pretend crocs, now they just steal them
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This new pup of mine just loves Crocs. She takes them by the strap and 'kills' them. And then runs off with them.
I am trying to train myself to put them up on top of something when I take them off, cos if I don't there's never two where I left them :D
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This new pup of mine just loves Crocs. She takes them by the strap and 'kills' them. And then runs off with them.
I am trying to train myself to put them up on top of something when I take them off, cos if I don't there's never two where I left them :D
all our shoes have to put on a shelf in the kitchen - looks bizarre but if they are left on the floor the dogs get them. the terrier knocks everything off the shelf in the porch so we cant even leave them there!
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Our Labs always take just my crocs to bed, we have a few designer ones with the straps gone and extra air vents but they are only cheap, I also find if I am not quick, our Yellow lab will help herself to dirty washing, again she does not destroy stuff but takes it into her bed, although I have said this before on here, a young chap staying gave me his washing to do, I heard the dogs play fighting and went out to find 2 of them tugging at his designer T shirt and they had ripped the nude lady out the centre, the young lad did laugh and we did give him the value of the T Shirt but all the other T shirts were cheap Asda ones......anyway, I am still non the wiser, maybe I should double check with the vet as pups need to chew and do chew but I want them to chew on stuff they should and not what they shouldn't!!
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Mine get bones, mostly - but always uncooked unless they are cattle bones that you buy from petshops.
They do love to chew on any dead sheep I have to pick up in the back of the landrover which makes for some entertaining smells/experiences at the kennels putting bits of a ewe into the bins....
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I suppose that's really what they're supposed to chew. Sheep or cattle bones.
Are they best uncooked?
I know they're never supposed to have chicken bones.
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I suppose that's really what they're supposed to chew.
Maybe in the wild they will have a bit of gnaw but usually go for the softer flesh.
Domestic dogs have lost the ability to digest bones like their ancestors could and it gathers along the intestines dehydrating the dog due to it's dry texture and travelled effect compacts often causing blockages. Rarely a week goes by without a dog being treated for symptoms related to being given bones ( cooked and raw )
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Thanks Shaz, I had in my head that bones were bad news, but didn't know if I was right and it sorta didn't make sense.
Think I'll stick with nylabones.
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I just let mine chew me - just so I can keep an eye on them and Make sure that they come to no harm, if I'm busy they either wait nicely for me to become available or just chew each other
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:D
The landshark I have just rescued thinks that the best thing to chew is me. I am trying to train her out of it :D
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Mmmmm .... confusing regarding raw bones.
When the vet told me to give them to Alf, I did discuss negatives with her (as mentioned by MS) because I'd read they weren't a good idea, her opinion was that nothing was ENTIRELY safe but that the occasional bone was likely to be a healthier option than any treats, chews or doggy tooth brushing equipment.
With a different vet now so think I'll ask this ones views on the subject ...... Alf will be disappointed though because he is a fussy eater and bones and quail eggs (raw with shell) are the only things that he sees as a "treat" ;D . Turns his nose up at the ones out of packets. ::)
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I give mine raw bones; they're free from the butcher. I'm sure there are horror storries about just about everything, and sure we've interrupted their evolution a lot, but surely dogs are meant to eat raw bones of various animals?
He also gets whole rabbits, but he's good, spends ages chewing and nibbling his way through them, whereas I know some dogs try to swallow whole and it all gets compacted!
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On conclusion, to every "Chew treat" there is a negative and a positive, I bought some proper nylon bones ready for puppy that's due soon.....I do not want any pup to chew sticks or wood as I know that can and will splinter.....when they are tiny its much easier as they can chew and not bite off bits but as they age it gets harder.....I only give the pups toys to play with then take them away although I do leave soft toys in their beds with them until they get to the de stuff stage, many many squeaky toys would not last a min with a fully grown dog and I have found some of the more expensive Kongs are not played with, when we get friends or relatives dogs visit the whole of the toy box comes out along with buckets and brushes.......I was a little upset that the visitor we had ruined my purple and my lime green bucket :innocent: , now I only have plain black buckets and its not the same...anyway..the chew debate goes on....... ::)
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I went to a shop yesterday and bought some super tuff pup toys. I'm fed up with buying Mr Cheweverything toys only for him to completely destroy it in minutes. At the weekend, he won a couple of rosettes at a dog show, in his prize bag were dog balls, we gave him one while waiting for his next class and 20 seconds it was ripped to shreds!
So, I bought another KONG yesterday and a purple ferret looking tough toy with ropes on it. so far so good! I've also ordered a 'brick' as I think that might help with his yearning to work and use his brain so much (not a housebrick ;) but one of those ones that they have to slide bits on and seek the treat out).
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:thumbsup:
I remember my mother in law buying some dog toys and our Rottie cross destroyed them as she sat and had her cup of tea, she was unpleased but you do need to buy strong toys for most dogs!! I used to see a staffie where I worked playing and throwing a traffic cone around......not too sure of the lead that may be in them!!
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any toys we get are usually chosen by the kids, so it tends to be meerkats, mini whoopicushions, mini funhoppers etc
footballs and squeakers dont last 2 mins here.
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Just watch the squeakers - they can get stuck in throats.
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Just found this recipe for dog chews - using sweet potatoes. I suppose you could eat them yourself too :innocent:
1 Large Sweet Potato, washed & dried
Recommended Equipment:
Food dehydrator or slow oven
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250° F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut off one side of the sweet potato lengthwise, as close to the edge as possible. Cutting the side of the potato first allows you to then turn the potato onto this flat surface that you have just created. Having a stable area to rest the potato will make it easier to cut the potato into slices. Don't discard that first piece, it comes out just as yummy as the rest!
Cut the rest of the potato into 1/3" slices, no smaller than 1/4".
Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 3 hours, turning half way through.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Storing - Although these treats are dried, you will want to keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 4 months.
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They sound like chips....may have a go when I have the oven on again....I used to put stuff like that in the AGA in my old life :innocent: , brilliant for drying things out. Last night I found 2 sausages that were rock hard as I left them in the oven buy mistake, the dogs had half each and loved them, I know they are a bit fatty though!!! Thanks :thumbsup:
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All my dogs have had nylabones without any problems. We have found them safer than other things that sold for chewing..
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While engrossed in this my pup has helped herself to a lump of coal :innocent:
I have some small nylon bones for the pup to chew on, she has a variety of things although her mum found the nice dog chews I kept in a bag in the car!
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I buy new ones every Christmas, the dogs know I am sure what is under the tree .
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Our guys love 'stag bars' - horns, they also love cow sinu & hoofs get them from the website zooplus along with dried spratts for a healthy treat/ training :)
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Just remember to check teeth if you give stag horns and really hard stuff to chew on. Yes they remove plaque, but they can also split the molars!
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I was given a spinning wheel because the owners terrier wouldn't stop chewing the legs. I did suggest keeping the wheel on the other side of a door from the dog but apparently this was cruel, to lock a dog out when she was enjoying herself with her hobby. So she rehomed the wheel with me. I'm not ungrateful, believe me!
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my pup is currently enjoying my window frames, no ill affects at all.
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I had a dog that used to chew the window frame, I think to try to get my attention.....our pup loves the fire, bits of wood and coal everywhere if given a chance,,,and the shrubs :innocent:
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Our retreiver loves a good chew. We give her rawhide chews which she loves, they just don't last very long! She has had bones from the pet shop and pets at home have also started selling deer antler which we tried, she absolutely loved it! It didn't splinter at all, lasted for ages and was full of marrow.
We also have nylabones which she loves, never had any trouble so far.
What we don't give her is things like tennis balls and roes etc as she just eats them.
I think, to a certain extent, everything can be pontentially dangerous. I think it can be easy to pander to warnings and stuff but at the end of the day, you can be chewing your dinner and crack a tooth causing a trip to the dentist etc. but you can't not eat because there is a small risk you might choke/get ill/hurt a tooth etc.
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my pup needs chews to keep him occupied whilst im at work but the labrador scoffs anything in sight , rawhide included- any suggestions, except separating them??
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Separate them, probably best for the pup's safety anyway
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Is there a chance of them fighting? Is safety in that way an issue?
Separating could mean that pup gets lonely and even more bored and inclined to get into mischief. :-\
Depends on your dogs. You probably know their personalities best and can make that judgement. Think it varies with different breeds too. Neighbours collies are always housed individually after a certain age because too much risk of a serious fight. My retrievers :fc: have always been left together and never a fight ..... don't leave food down though only water.
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My Doberman likes stealing small cinders that have fallen from the wood burner (cold thankfully ). But he's also started taking an interest in the bookcase recently :-( weird as he's elderly and didn't before. A copy in Latin of the Rudens of Plautus was ripped up and on the floor when I came back in from outside yesterday :-( it belonged to OH who said that even in his own day some Romans didn't find Plautus' comedies funny so maybe Monty also found it dull... :excited:
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Funny what they decide to chew up...maybe he book smells interesting...think our pup is still young enough not to do much damage.......yet......
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For long lasting treats, my lot get anco roots. They are hidden until I give them for a chew sesh! Keeps them interested :)
For dental maintenance and a quicker chew, I make homemade sweet potato chews and they get raw Turkey necks to munch on :)
I don't like nylabones due to the chemicals in them but that's just a personal choice! Honestly, you won't find anything that doesn't have a bad words about it out there somewhere! So it's about personal preferences.
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anco roots? what is that?
carrots are popular with some of mine.
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Anco roots, quoted from their website.
"ANCO Roots are tree roots from a secret eco-sustainable source. They are hand harvested in protected areas to ensure there is no damage to the roots or forests. Only the tuber of the root is harvested which then sprouts again. They are limited to a responsible number each year, keeping the ecological impact to a minimum.
100% Untreated
Will Not Splinter
Extremely Durable
Long Lasting
Fun Natural Chew Toy
Natural Toothbrush
Naturally Present Vitamins and Minerals
Suitable For All Sizes - Including Puppies"
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I googled them and was surprised.......never heard of hem before but I will look out for them, next shopping trip I will get some sweet potato's......