Dog Bones
Only dog owners fully appreciate the love between a dog and her bone. In addition to promoting cleaner oral hygiene, it satisfies the dog’s inherent urge to chew and therefore can give hours of quiet time to puppy owners, which is a rare treat indeed! There are a few important things to know about giving the right bone to your dog and the different options available to you and your little friend.
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The different bones and chews for dogs can be found at pet stores and
vary in many ways. First, beef rawhide is one of the most popular chews
for dogs and is fashioned into bones and other shapes for hours of chewing
enjoyment. Rawhide works well at scraping tartar from your dog’s teeth
as she chews, thereby improving breath and dental health. However, some
dogs have a difficult time digesting rawhide and should be given an alternative
such as pork. The rawhide begins to soften from all of the chewing, making
it easy to swallow, and then harden again in your dog’s GI tract,
causing an upset stomach.
When choosing dog bones, consider the size of the bone compared to the
size of your pet. The bone given to your dog should be big enough that it
cannot be eaten, but needs to be chewed down slowly instead. Even with this
precaution, dogs should not be left unsupervised when chewing in case of
splintering of the bone or choking. Furthermore, pet store chew toys are
a safer alternative than a clean bone from your local butcher due to the
possibility of splintering which may cause internal ruptures to your dog.
Some dog bones are designed solely for dental hygiene purposes and should
be given to your dog at certain intervals to maintain fresh breath and teeth.
These bones are made from chlorophyll which promotes cleaner teeth, but
taste great to your dog. They are also are all natural and satisfy their
inherent urge to chew.
When your puppy is old enough to start receiving small bones, take them
from her as she chews, while speaking to her softly. If she allows it without
growling or snapping, praise her and give it back. You want to send the
clear message that you are allowed to take the bone at any time without
any show of aggression from your dog as she matures into adulthood.
