Fake Sticks --- Anyone Ever Used These?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Today's Deal for Dog-Lovers Everywhere!

$16 for two Durable Sticks from Petstages
(a $27 value) - includes shipping!

All the fun of a regular stick - without the cracks & splinters!

There's nothing like the simple things in life to keep your pup happy, and one of these will always be a good chewing stick. But splinters and splits pose a health hazard for pups that love to chew and have resulted in many ER visits. After about 3 years of research, the folks at Petstages came up with a solution - the new Durable Stick.

These sticks, available today at a 40% discount, are made with an innovative material that combines real wood with durable synthetic material to create a stronger, safer “stick”. The natural wood smell will attract and keep your pup's interest for hours. They're non-toxic and designed to break down over time into small shavings, giving dogs the “reward” and satisfaction of wearing it down. The non-toxic "wood" crumbles very slowly over the course of the chew versus splintering, making this stick 100% safe for your pup.

• Limited quantity available.
• Each order comes with two (2) sticks. Each stick is 8" long.
• These sticks are appropriate for mid-sized breeds.
• All orders ship via UPS Mail Innovations and will arrive within 6-8 business days to the address you provide at checkout. Tracking information will be available in your account area.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Knox isn't that fond of antlers so I really don't think he would like these.  Give him a squeaky stuffed animal and he's in heaven!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

interesting.  I wonder how durable they are.  I purchased one of the Petstages Orka bones before because it claims to be durable for dogs that love to chew.  In less than 5 minutes, Cubbie was pulling chunks of blue rubber off of the bone.  It went right back to the store.

[Louise Cyr]

Yes but it says combines real wood and SYNTHETIC material . If they swallow pieces, which I'm sure they do, how could that possibly be good?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The non-edible Nylabones are synthetic, and the little pieces they can chew off are hypoallergenic and harmless.

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

I think I'll stick with real sticks and marrow bones. At least there is some nutritional value in the bones, and they clean their teeth, and are very cheap and durable. And I know they are not from China.

[Gail and Bailey]

I bought a "real bone" from the pet store and I am wondering if the small pieces that she chews off will hurt her.  She is such an aggressive chewer that she is actually chewing sharp pieces off the antlers too.  Do I stop giving them to her?  She loves bully sticks but I get so nervous when they get to the size that she may swallow towards the end.  I wish there was something she could chew that would last hours and not get so small that it could choke her.  Suggestions??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Be careful with real bones from pet stores. Some are fine, but some can splinter badly. I gave JD a realhambone from a pet supply store that almost killed him.

Stick with the large femurs from beef, elk, bison, (and they even have ostrich). Higher end stores have them frozen. Don't buy the kind with filling in them.

Have you tried Himalayan chews?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I was very disappointed as well that these were manufactured in China.  I am just so desperate for something they can chew on to clean their teeth that will not ultimately end up hurting them.  The last thing I bought was one of the filled bones and they ended up breaking off a piece that was very sharp so I took those away.  Regular bones from the butcher were suggested, but I worry about those only because my Aunt once gave our Toy Poodle a Ham bone and she loved it, but puked up a nasty looking stuff that even stained the carpet for about 2 days.  So, I was hoping these might be the answer, but doesn't look that way. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I bought a bone on the doggieloot site recently by Bionic. I don't think doggieloot still has them. Whether it cleans teeth or not I can't say  but so far so good in holding up to chewing.

http://www.bionicplay.com/index.html

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

F, do your dogs actually chew on the Bionic bone?  I bought the same one and it just sits there on the floor and neither one does anything with it until I try to take it away and then they want it for a minute and then it is left on the floor again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Luca has chewed on it a bit. But he likes to play catch with me with this, as well as his Orbos, since balls are not allowed in the house. He doesn't spend as much time gnawing at it as a good old stick though : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ham bones are not safe, since the ham has been cooked or otherwise processed, and the bones are too soft. But beef marrow femur bones are much harder and usually very safe, even cooked.

Since JD was diagnosed with IBD and can't have anything to chew or to clean his teeth, both of the internal med specialists recommended giving him the original plain non-edible Nylabones. I was afraid, because I've heard so many bad things about them, but it's all in which type you buy and what size. You need to go really big and get the ones for aggressive chewers.  I didn't think he would chew on them, but i guess he's desperate. They have held up very well and caused no harm, and he is a very strong and aggressive chewer.