Chewing is part of a dog’s life. It is dogs’ way of dealing with boredom, stress, anxiety, or plainly acting on curiosity. In an ideal world, they should only gnaw a tasty bone and spare the sofa or the shoe.
You want to reward your furry friend’s good behavior or keep him busy with something satisfying for his mouth and tummy. But with many edible chews of various shapes, flavors, and sizes, it’s hard to choose. Here’s a checklist when buying goodies for your beloved pooch.
Profile Your Dog
Dogs and chewing are inseparable, and in scouring the shelves for your dog’s next best treat, consider the following:
- How old is your dog? His chewing behavior may have to do with his age (e.g., teething).
You then look for treats ideal for his situation.
- How active is your dog? Take into account his weight and lifestyle when buying snacks.
- How do you classify your dog’s chewing style? Is he an inhaler, destroyer, or nibbler? According to Preventive Vet, the destroyer and nibbler types can make the most of treats, while inhalers are kept to chew toys because they tend to “gulp down” treats by chunks.
With these initial details, you are ready to proceed below.
Stick with Healthy
Treats are a staple in your dog’s diet. However, they ought to only constitute 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Accordingly, go for options that are low in fat and high in protein. Low-fat snacks provide more fiber to your dog and result in lower calories to keep his weight in check.
To ensure nutritional value, choose chews that are made of natural ingredients with no preservatives or additives that can pose canine health risks. Read the label or the specifics of each product on the website.
Feel the Texture
Bully sticks have always been popular with dogs; these treats are tasty and tough. Indeed, it is the experience of biting and gnawing that makes treats worthwhile for your dog.
Chews also play an important role in canine dental health. They keep your dog’s teeth clean, reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and strengthen his jaws.
Bring in the Flavor
Your canine friend has taste buds too. He wants his snack done right to the taste, smell, and texture. Notwithstanding his food preferences, meat always ranks high. It’s an acquired taste passed on to dogs for thousands of years as The New Zealand Herald notes.
Meaty straps, strips, and nuggets made from beef are always a welcome treat for doggies.
Ensure Digestibility
Dog treats have to be safe for digestion. Go for snacks that dogs’ stomachs will have no trouble digesting so their bodies can absorb the food nutrients.
Make it a habit of being around when your dog is munching on any treat. It’s possible for him to swallow a chunk that may cause a blockage, so you have to watch closely. Don’t forget to have water ready.
Go for Long-Lasting
When dogs take hold of something, you know that the odor or texture has something to do with it. Satisfy their natural craving to chew on wood, leather, or paper with a delectable substitute that will make them busy for hours.
These best, long-lasting dog chews will put their mouths to work as they sink their teeth on them. For instance, you can give your aggressive chewer white knuckle dog bones that may also be good for smaller ones. Dogs have different chewing capabilities; that’s why some can munch on their snacks faster than others do.
For being good doggos and puppers (pardon the internet slang), they deserve playtime and savory treats for more paw-grabbing and tail-wagging moments.