Chews For Dogs

Chews for Dogs

Did you know that dogs start to show signs of oral disease by the time they reach the ripe old age of three? The best way to combat the irreversible damaged caused by oral health problems of your pet is through daily brushing, and of course, chewing. Also, going for routine check-ups with a veterinarian is a must.

Apart from knowing what the proper way of brushing your dog's teeth is, you should have little trouble with brushing. It is with choosing the right chews for dogs that you might run into a little tangle.

Most chews for dogs available today are either bones or rawhides. Some products might even be composed of compressed vegetables. Whatever chews for dogs you end up buying, it is important to keep this mind: chews for dogs should help reduce tartar and plaque on teeth. Everything else, such as satisfying your dog's inclination to chew, is secondary.

Tips to Chews Wisely

Before you buy chews for dogs, you, as a dog owner, should know your pet's chewing habits. This is essential since you want to make sure that the chew product you use is just the right size for your pet's breed.

There chews for dogs that are fortified with nutrients. You want to choose a chew product that fills any nutrient gap in your dog's diet. For instance, your Newfoundland, a breed that is particularly vulnerable to hip dysplasia, has low calcium. Then choose a chew product with high calcium content in order to compensate.

Why Size is Important

Also, we cannot emphasize more how important size is. Chews for dogs that are too small may end up being swallowed rather than chewed, and that in itself might cause problems with your dog's digestive tract. Thus, if you have a large dog, then choose a medium to hard density chew product that is easily digestible. Conversely, puppies or small-sized dogs should be given smaller chew products made of softer material.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Always observe your dog while chewing. This is true even if you have been using that particular chew product for some time. There is always the likely possibility of choking. Dogs have been known to choke on small pieces that they swallow whole and that include chew products and other small household items.

If you do observe choking or coughing in your dog right after he or she swallows or chews, bring him or her immediately to the veterinarian. Even if this isn't the case but you happen to observe that your pet manages to chew off pieces of the product, chances are that the chew is not the right size for your dog. Get a bigger or smaller one, whichever is the case.