For those new to owning a puppy, all the different products on the market can be more than a bit confusing and overwhelming. A good place to start in making these decisions is to talk to your vet. He or she can provide suggestions and options for quality food as well as safe chews for puppies.
Sensitive Systems
Puppies, like toddlers, can have sensitive digestive tracts. Rawhide products, which is the most traditional type of chew toy, is made with the inner layer of hides, which is non-nutritious and, in its natural form, very unappealing to puppies and dogs of any age.
The manufacturers of rawhide chews bake, smoke, flavor, and stuff these rawhide chews to make them appealing, which adds a lot of chemicals and artificial ingredients that may be irritating to a puppy’s digestive system. Additionally, the rawhide itself is not highly digestible and can remain in the puppy’s digestive system for well over 24 hours.
The safe chews for puppies are 100% rawhide free and made from ingredients such as real chicken, milk, peanut butter and baked pork skin for crunch and flavor. These chews are also full of minerals and vitamins a growing puppy will need.
When to Feed
The healthy and safe chews for puppies are a treat to satisfy the puppy’s urge to chew. They should be given one a day and separate from meals. Chew bones for puppies and dogs are not substitutes for meals, and they are also not meant to be fed as a training treat or reward.
Always supervise the puppy while he or she is enjoying the chew bone. The healthy alternatives will be 100% consumed by the puppy, but watching to make sure he or she does not gulp or try to swallow the bone will be essential to prevent any risk of the chew lodging in the mouth or throat.
