Dog Bones?

[Cynthia and Magic]

My pup (20 months old) needs something to chew on and keep him busy when I just can't throw one more ball!

I have seen those dog bones in the pet store - the ones that look like they have been roasted - but they look a little scary! Any suggestions for something that is healthy, safe...and will keep him busy for a while??

thanks....

:O)

[Susan and Sasha]

Yes...I will be sure to tell you how they work out for Sasha...
Thank you again for letting us know about them...and...I'm so glad Magic is enjoying the antlers!
Another thing that she might like...although it is getting cold now...is a "Big Ice Pop"...
I put water in a plastic container and put it in the freezer.
I always have one on hand..
Everytime Sasha and I go out to "Play"...I pop the "Ice Pop" out...and take it with us.
I put it into a stainless bowl...
After we play fetch...one of her VERY favorite games to play..and we keep on "Practicing" COME!!...Sasha has time to just roam around the property...and I have her "Ice Pop" Ready And Waiting for her!!
She loves...loves...loves it!!
It hydrates her...but lasts a Lot longer than a bowl of water.
It's one of her Very Favorites!!
I think this is something that Magic would like too!!
Let me know if she likes the Ice Pop as much as Sasha does??

[Taylor & Huff]

Thanks:) Huff loves ice cubes too but I have never tried making a popsicle. Good luck:)

[Tammy & Gracie]

Gracie gets raw bones. I just freeze them and give them to her frozen ( 3 or 4 a week). I get them from the butcher sliced about 1-2 inches thick. She eats all the good stuff immediately so they really don't get too gross. I take them away from her if they begin to break. Her next favorite is elk antlers. But she gets the ones that are split down the middle. She does not care as much for the whole ones where she can't get to that center!

[Jacqui and RosyNose]

Hi all- our vet very strongly advised against bones...raw or otherwise for these reasons:
1) teeth wear and breakage
2) splintering of cooked bones may cause choking and digestive tract problems
We've found a few chew toys that satisfy Rosy (by the way, Rosy is a STRONG chewer- once a toy or bone makes it to her molars we know it's toast!)
Nylabone Dura-Chew Textured- Original Flavor (she chews this almost every night while we're eating dinner and sometimes throughout the day- it's lasted about 3-5 months with significant wear but it was more ratty looking than worn, we just gave her a new one last week)
Kong Treat Bone (large size- Rosy is approx. 50lbs)- The bone shaped rubber toy has a hole about the size of a penny on either end where you can stuff treats. We stuff about 2.5 pieces of freeze dried liver on both sides and she is occupied for a while...she would be occupied even longer if Kong made this toy out of the black rubber for mega chewers!
Turkey Necks- we buy frozen at Pet Food Express and give to her straight from the freezer (she's outside in the yard when we do this). There are small cartilage that she safely eats and passes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Cooked marrow bones will not soften or splinter. They are like petrified wood, lol. I have heard of dogs breaking teeth on them, on rare occasions. It depends on the size of the bone and the kind of chewing the dog does.

[Cynthia and Magic]

thanks Jacqui....I am always afraid of choking....and Magic is a really strong chewer - even though he is just a mini!! He loves the antler...and so far no chunks have come off - but I have seen the Nylabone - going to pick one up tomorrow. Have to go to the store anyhow...hubby just took him for a walk to the lake and he rolled in a dead fish!!! Smelly....oh ya. Gotta get some wipes! :P

[F, Calla & Luca]

There'san article on this in the Danger Group.
http://www.doodlekisses.com/profiles/blogs/say-no-to-rawhide-and

[Cynthia and Magic]

geez...thanks for that. Scary....my biggest fear is the choking....any bad news on the antlers??

[Kyoko]

Antlers does not sprinter. I think it is really hard, so the dogs can only scrap / carve at it. I don't think the dogs can bite it off / break it off. Following is what I found posted on one of the elk antler dealer's website.

Helpful Elk Antler chew Tips:
Antlers chews make wonderful chews for dogs but just like any dog chew it is important to be careful and to supervise your dog. Here are a few tips to help your dog maximize its "Mojo" and enjoy the antler chew safely.

Make sure your antler dog chew is large enough so that there is no possibility that your dog could choke on it. If you find that the antler chews that you have purchased are not large enough for your dog, you can return it to us for a refund.

Check your antler chew over for any possible sharp edges. If there are any, it is easy to remove them by rubbing the sharp edge against concrete or sandpaper.

Wash the antler chew in warm, soapy water and rinse well.

Give the antler chew to your dog watch him while he chews it for at least the first few times.

Make sure your dog is gnawing on the antler instead of trying to break the antler chew in half. If he is bearing down hard on the antler like this, it is best to take it away (don't forget to give him a treat for giving it up!), since chewing any hard chew this way could damage his teeth.

Do not allow your dog to chew more than an inch of the antler per day.

Take the the antler chew away from your dog once it gets worn down to a small enough size that your dog could swallow/choke on it.

If your dog likes the antler so much that he guards it from you, you can teach him to drop the antler for a treat, click here for an article on teaching your dog to "drop it". If your dogs fight over their antler chews make sure to give them to them when the dogs are separated.

If your dog isn't interested in the chewing the antler, try rubbing it with sandpaper or a nail file. If your dog still isn't interested in the antler, you could try rubbing it with a small amount of peanut butter or soaking it overnight in water in the refrigerator.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Same with the marrow bones.

[Cynthia and Magic]

Well...they still seem to be the winner so far - and worth the price! I was a little surprised at the price - but long lasting and safe....I am willing to pay!
love you autumnal pic of your pup!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I may be mistaken, but I think the deer antlers are stronger than the elk antlers.