Of bones and other treats

[KC]

The cute story first: My daughter has been the one who desperately wanted a dog, so when we decided to go for it, we bought a Nylabone and tied a bow around it and gave it to her on her birthday saying for your puppy! Well, Milo ignored the bone for days, and finally started chewing it a few days ago. I guess his adult teeth are in now (how do you tell, anyway, they all look pearly white and tiny except the incisors) and soon the Nylabone had chunks missing, and looked like it was splintering. I took it away and threw it out, and have been wondering if that was because we bought the puppy model. But I am reluctant to buy a product again that splintered and left sharp edges. Then came Karen's horror story, so I was wondering if any one knew of rubber or plastic bones that might hold up better?
Part two: We (the humans) are vegetarians, and our trainer told us to have a irresistible treat for training his emergency recall. We decided that at the vet's office Milo went crazy about the turkey baby food that they distract them with while giving shots, so I went and bought a few bottles of turkey baby food. Milo of course being a carnivore, gets his meat through his food and his treats, but I am always looking for quick easy meat treats that don't involve cooking or cutting that I can have on hand for Milo. So then I see that Gerber has these little things they call "meat sticks" which, honestly have worse labeling than dog food! PORK, BEEF, WATER, GROUND TURKEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE (FROM MILK), SALT, CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR. ( I realized if I was reading this label for Milo, I would be wrinkling my nose at the sugar and canola oil in it and asking what kind of pork, what kind of beef?) What do you all think? Any suggestions, any ideas? Any easy meat options that won't require too much handling out there?

[Kyoko]

Did you ever try Deli Fresh? I never used them but some people at Charlie's school use them and their dogs seem to like them. http://www.delifreshpet.com/

[KC]

You are right, Nancy, I was asking two different questions (actually 3). One was an easy meat treat that I could give Milo without my needing to prep or cook it. Two was high value treats, and cheese seems to be a winner and three was a good non-edible chew toy as a substitute for Nylabone. I guess I was being greedy :)
Thanks for all the replies. I do like the idea of dehydrated meat we reconstitute at home too and will look into all the chew ideas everyone has suggested.
THanks!

[Ellen Noreen]

I give our dog Casey, Waggin Train chicken jerky treats and she loves them. They are all natural dried chicken and you can buy them at Costco in a large bag or at the grocery store in smaller bags. They also can be softened by soaking in warm water for a few minutes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ellen, Waggin Train jerky treats are made in China, and there have been recalls on them. There are better, safer brands of chicken jerky out there that are made in the US. We do have some warnings here in the Food group about Waggin Train treats, but the DK search feature is down at the moment. I believe these treats are the ones that caused Allyson's Tacquito to develop kidney problems.

[Ellen Noreen]

Can you recommend the safer brands of chicken jerky and where to find them? I just ordered the dried sweet potato chews from Snook's...hope Casey will like them. I will also see if I can purchase some marrow bones from the grocery store. Thanks for your quick response regarding the chicken jerky.

[Kim]

Ellen - I dehydrate my own. It's really easy and I don't have to worry about what might be in it.

[diane silver]

Can you tell me how you dehydrate your own chicken treats? I, too, was giving Emma the chicken jerky, either from BJs or Costco (either Waggin Tails or Beefeaters), but she was vomiting yellow bile frequently and also had very soft/loose stools. So, I've been making my own and just wonder how you do yours? I've been buying the large bag of boneless chicken breasts at BJs and leaving them in a 200 degree oven for 10-12 hours! Since Emma has been eating these, no vomiting and her stools are definitely better, so I have to believe there is something in the commercial product. I think this is the only way to dehydrate(?) but if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate them.

[Kim]

I cut my chicken VERY thin with a filet knife and then pre-cook them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then I put them in a food dehydrator for around 17-24 hours. It does take a long time... but it is worth it to me. I'm pretty sure it's worth it to Allie as well. She can't wait until they are done!!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Glad you stopped feeding Waggin' Tails - those are from china and made my chihuahua dealthy ill 3 years ago. Not on recall but should have been.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, True Chews are made in Iowa:
http://www.truechews.com/
And Jones Natural products are 100% USA made:
http://www.jonesnaturalchews.com/SausageJerky.html