NylaBones vs. Bully Sticks

[Steve, Maria & Sammy]

Sammy is a little over 4 months old and still chewing/mouthing on everything and everyone, so we decided to get him something, and purchased a non-edible NylaBone. I was going to get him a Bully Stick, but the girl at PetCo recommended the NylaBone instead. I was just wondering if one is better than the other. When I searched online I saw horror stories about each, but after watching Sammy chew on this NylaBone (which he LOVED), it frayed pretty easily and after reading the packaging it is made out of polymer, which to me sounds basically like plastic? Is this okay? He wasn't eating big chunks of it like the the packaging says to look out for, but he was having an easy time making a dent in it. Any suggestions or help?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I use all three suggested here for different reasons. Antlers for indoors as I like to keep track of how they are wearing down,, nylabones outdoors as they tolerate the weather better, and bully sticks for rare treats due to expense, smell and hard to find odorless locally made in USA.
I give fresh cut marrow bones a few times a week again, outdoors, and throw the bone away as soon as they are done with it. I get those from the meat dept at grocery store.
Nylabones are made in China, ;( do dent and possibly plastic pieces chip off. For me it works better than Bella Eating her poop if she's bored outside, so it's pros vs cons.
I've also read where some have had chipped teeth from them. So you just have to do what is comfortable for you.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

The chipped teeth thing is probably true, but I doubt the risk would be any higher than with something like an antler since they're just as hard.

About the bits of plastic - I just compare it to her eating sticks in the yard... neither are digestible, and we (or at least I) don't worry too much about a few pieces of stick, so why worry about a few pieces of non-toxic plastic?  If she chewed off a LOT of those little pieces I'd be concerned though.

Then again Luna has been known to eat handfuls of grass clippings with no ill effects... I think she may be part cow.

[Steve, Maria & Sammy]

As far as I have witnessed, Sammy has never thrown up. However, this morning a heard something going on in his crate and he threw up 3 tiny pieces of NylaBone. I think that is the end of that for us. Is that normal even if he is chewing from a natural bone?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Natural bones (and antlers) they shouldn't generally be able to get "pieces" of them off like a nylabone.  If your pup has a sensitive tummy I would definitely stay clear of nylabones then, because they can get little "chunks".

Luna is a VERY strong chewer and only manages to "grind" down antlers and marrow bones by gouging them with her teeth and doesn't get little chips/pieces.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That would be the end of nylabones for me too Steve. I only need one illness to make me replace it with something else for her to chew. I am of the same mentality as J &Luna though. Given what my Bella, especially has ingested and passed, my goal is to just stay away from that which can be toxic or splinter and cause blockage. But Bella has a cast iron belly I think.

[Steve, Maria & Sammy]

Sticks (yes sticks from the tree in our backyard) have also turned into his favorite play toy outside. He has manged to gather up all the small sticks and twigs in the yard, and hide them in separate parts of the yard. When I was on poo patrol this morning, I noticed all his little piles.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Ha, they are so smart! Bella had a hiding place under a weeping willow, until DH trimmed it so we can see under it. I haven't found any new spots yet but I bet she has some!