Long lasting dog bones can help your pup improve his dental hygiene while giving him something enjoyable to chew on – and even help alleviate teething pain in puppies!
However, some chews can crack teeth or injure the mouth if bit into at an acute angle or splintered into points; others can lead to choking or stomach obstruction.
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Lamb Horns
Lamb horns are one of the newest natural chews available on the market, made from grass-fed and free-range lamb that have been air dried without being cooked – which makes them easier on teeth while being low risk of splintering, making them suitable for puppies as well as seniors.
Horn fibers work like dental floss, helping your pup brush away plaque on its teeth and gumline. They offer a great alternative to raw bones which could potentially cause more harm.
These pillows can be soaked in water to soften them up, are completely odourless, free from additives, preservatives and gluten, sourced from Iceland and cleaned, boiled and baked using techniques meeting FDA, EU, MAST standards; their size ranges between 6.5-7.3 inches.
Deer Antlers
Deer antlers are an adornment found on male deers that grow annually for breeding season. Constructed of bone-like tissue covered by soft velvet layers, deer antlers begin as soft and spongy pieces but eventually solidify over time due to blood flowing through them and mineralizing like concrete into an impressive framework to impress female deer while fighting off rival males.
Deer antlers are relatively safe for dogs, though there may be some minor risks involved, particularly among aggressive chewers who might risk cracking their teeth and becoming choked on. To protect your dog and minimize these risks, blanching antler bones for just a minute or two in boiling water prior to submersion in cold water is recommended – blanching means quickly submerging each bone in cold water after having been put through boiling water, then immediately placing back in cold water afterwards.
Raw Bones
Bones can make an excellent addition to a dog’s diet. Raw bones offer many advantages over cooked bones in terms of wear-and-tear and risk of splintering; it is important to monitor when feeding bones to your pet as well as choosing one suitable to their chewing style.
Marrow or femur bones, as they’re called, can be harder and denser, increasing the risk of tooth damage if eaten whole and potentially harming intestinal, stomach or esophageal organs. Therefore, chicken necks, turkey/elk/lamb knuckles and marrow bones offer fresh cartilage rich in glucosamine, collagen and chondroitin which is easily absorbed calcium; in addition they make great recreational bones for keeping dogs entertained!
Cooked Bones
As is commonly believed, dogs and bones go together like hand and glove. But it is important to recognize that some bones can be harmful for your pet to chew on – not only can it introduce pathogens into the home environment but it may also lead to broken teeth and irritated gums.
Cooked bones should never be given to pets as they are dry and brittle, easily shattering when eaten by pets. Once broken into smaller fragments, these bone fragments can travel down their digestive track causing obstruction and require surgery for removal. If your pet eats cooked bones without your knowledge or consent, monitor for symptoms such as bloody stooling and abdominal pain closely; to minimize risks further consider teaching your pup how to enjoy its bone safely on an easy-to-clean rubber mat or wire crate while you’re away.
Natural Ears
Dogs are natural chewers, and long-lasting bones provide them with something they can use to maintain strong and healthy teeth. Unfortunately, hard chews like bone or antler may damage small or senior dog’s enamel – however there are other long-lasting, safe chew options that provide similar stimulation.
One of the longest-lasting natural chews is the beef rib. Constructed from non-weight bearing parts of an animal and filled with bone marrow, this long-lasting natural chew is sure to satisfy even the toughest chewers.
Kangaroo tails are durable chews made of flexible materials that come in various textures, shapes and flavours for dogs with allergies or sensitive digestive systems to enjoy as they’re more digestible than standard proteins.
