A Guide to Choosing Safe Dog Chews
Choosing a suitable chew toy for your dog is crucial to ensuring their happiness and health. Dog chews are a fantastic resource for cleaning a dog’s teeth and gums, as well as relieving boredom. With so many options available, how do you know which is the right fit? Here’s what you need to know about determining the best dog chews while avoiding unsafe chew toys.
Benefits of Dog Chew Toys
Dog chew toys offer an array of benefits for pups. From promoting healthy chewing habits to providing mental stimulation and exercise, chews will keep your pup healthy and engaged. Here are some key benefits!
Promotes Healthy Chewing Habits
Dogs have a natural desire to chew, so these toys offer a safe and appropriate outlet for this behavior. Providing a chew toy will discourage destructive behavior, like chewing on furniture, shoes, or clothing.
Provides Mental Stimulation
Chewing on a toy can provide mental stimulation for a dog. Keeping your pup occupied and engaged is vital. Why? Because boredom typically results in anxiety or harmful behavior.
Cleans Teeth and Boosts Oral Health
In addition, high-quality chew toys are designed to clean teeth and gums, which prevents dental issues from building up. Doggy chews are a fun way to elevate oral health and reduce the risk of tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.
Relieves Stress
For dogs prone to boredom and stress, chewing can be a calming and comforting activity. This is especially helpful for dogs experiencing anxiety of any kind.
Moreover, chew toys can help with teething. Ultimately, this is helpful because it gives your pup a secure and appropriate outlet to release their pain and discomfort.
Determining the Right Doggy Chews
Doggy chews are an excellent option for dogs. So, what makes an unsafe dog chew? There are a few different factors to be aware of, including:
Breakability
A significant danger of a doggy chew is its ability to splinter or break into small pieces. Dogs can accidentally swallow and choke on these pieces, which can cause further health issues.
For this reason, it’s crucial to choose a sturdy, durable toy that can withstand your dog’s chewing.
Size
When a chew toy is too small, it becomes a dangerous choking hazard. A good rule of thumb is to choose a chew toy larger than your dog’s mouth, so it can’t be easily swallowed. Be sure to supervise your dog while they’re chewing if you’re worried about them choking.
Texture
It’s essential to choose a toy with the right texture. A chew that is too hard could cause a painful tooth injury. Moreover, the texture is key based on the type of chewer your dog is. Are they an aggressive chewer, or are they soft and gentle?
Understanding your dog’s chewing habits will help you choose a toy that meets their needs. Above all, you’ll want to select a toy that encourages your pup to engage with it.
Wear and Tear
Lastly, it’s vital to take an inventory of your dog’s chew toys occasionally. Even the safest chew toy can become a hazard if your dog is left unsupervised. Regularly checking the toy for signs of deterioration is paramount because you’ll want to replace damaged toys relatively quickly.
Find Some Chew Joy with Get Joy
All in all, chew toys can offer a wide range of benefits for dogs, from promoting healthy chewing habits to providing mental stimulation. Selecting the right toy for your furry friend will keep them healthy and engaged.
At Get Joy, we’re passionate about pet wellness. We take health seriously, which is why we make nutrition simple and accessible. From dog meals and chews to vet services, we’re your one-stop shop for pet health. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
