NO RAW HIDE? then what???

[Cha Cha]

Moka and Mylee get bully sticks, himalayan chews, and I was giving the texas toothpicks, but haven't had them in a while. I set a timer for 15 minutes and let my dogs chew then I take them away. This keeps them focused instead of worrying about eachother, and it satisfies their need for chewing as well as cleaning their teeth. Mine look forward to their chew time, and remind me if I forget.

[JMuedog]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I don't give Peanut any chew items any more. He was getting sick from them-

My vet said bacteria can live on them and make your pup sick, so I stopped- The moment I stopped is the moment he forgot about them!

He also hasn't been to the vet in MONTHS!

I'm right with you. We were having the same trouble. Now I give them a carrot to chew on for a treat.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by penscruf

that is descusting lol

I know, and I even hold it for him while he chews it! They are very low moisture and a stick lasts him over a week.

If you're worried about bacteria, you can always microwave the chewing stick for 60 seconds. Most dogs can handle the bacteria, but a few who have weakened immune systems, may have more trouble. Chewing on something helps keep the teeth and gums healthy, and dogs were born to chew. These commercial sticks are just a substitute for bones, which can cause problems if you don't choose the right kind.

[gracielove]

Gracie is 5lbs and I get her the 12" regular thickness bully sticks. I don't think it is any more gross than the other parts of the body that are used in the dog food industry.

They do last a very long time for us. There are larger ones for bigger dogs. She can't bite a piece off and since the end does soften as she chews it is good for the teeth. Dogs always end up swallowing rawhide and they can either choke on them or if they swallow them the rawhide can sit in the stomach undigested and cause digestive issues.

Gracie doesn't chew as much as she once did but she needs to chew at least three times a week. Before I got the bully sticks she was always chewing something apart.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Bull penis.

LoL...well at least all of the animal is being used...delicacy in many countries.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I'm right with you. We were having the same trouble. Now I give them a carrot to chew on for a treat.

Oh really? Now that I think of it… Peanut was always getting an upset tummy… then on the last chew he had- it was the Texas Toothpick he got really sick, pancreatitis! That’s when the vet told me bacteria can grow on them… Seems like when those chews were around he had an upset tummy.. Now that he doesn’t get any chew at all he has been really healthy!! I am glad I don’t give those things any more, one less thing to stress about!! I feel better now not giving them especially with all those recalls!!

The good thing is he doesn’t even miss them!!


Hm I wonder if Peanut would chew on a carrot LOL, I doubt it.. Sounds like a good healthy snack for your babies!! Glad you found something they can enjoy.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Oh really? Now that I think of it… Peanut was always getting an upset tummy… then on the last chew he had- it was the Texas Toothpick he got really sick, pancreatitis! That’s when the vet told me bacteria can grow on them… Seems like when those chews were around he had an upset tummy.. Now that he doesn’t get any chew at all he has been really healthy!! I am glad I don’t give those things any more, one less thing to stress about!! I feel better now not giving them especially with all those recalls!!

The good thing is he doesn’t even miss them!!


Hm I wonder if Peanut would chew on a carrot LOL, I doubt it.. Sounds like a good healthy snack for your babies!! Glad you found something they can enjoy.

The reason I get Gracie such big bully sticks is just so she can't swallow any of the thing. The smaller sticks and the texas toothpicks can be eaten and that can cause problems. You don't want a dog eating any chew product. Some of the cheaper bully sticks are not processed right and are too soft. Just like with everything else in the pet industry you really have to be careful who you are buying from. It's such a money making business and so many companies are more concerned about profit than quality. Gracie looks kind of funny chewing on a stick that is big as she is but we have never had problems with the brand we are using now and it keeps her out of trouble!
I'm glad to hear Peanut is doing so much better. I know you were quite worried about him for a while.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by gracielove

The reason I get Gracie such big bully sticks is just so she can't swallow any of the thing. The smaller sticks and the texas toothpicks can be eaten and that can cause problems. You don't want a dog eating any chew product. Some of the cheaper bully sticks are not processed right and are too soft. Just like with everything else in the pet industry you really have to be careful who you are buying from. It's such a money making business and so many companies are more concerned about profit than quality. Gracie looks kind of funny chewing on a stick that is big as she is but we have never had problems with the brand we are using now and it keeps her out of trouble!
I'm glad to hear Peanut is doing so much better. I know you were quite worried about him for a while.

Yes totally! I always bought Peanut the good bullysticks and Texas Toothpicks, he also had the bigger ones. I also took them away when they were down too small. I guess his tummy just can’t handle them. For us it is better with them not in my house! Peanut doesn’t chew on anything he isn’t suppose to, so we are good. I am glad he doesn’t miss them!! I guess for him it is out of sight out of mind.. as long as he has his baby ( his toy cotton bone ) he is a happy camper!!

Thank you, I am glad too- It was pretty scary for a while there- seemed like he was always sick with tummy problems~ If I knew sooner about those chew sticks I would have took them away a long time ago!!

[CouversMom]

My two get bully sticks about once a month. They wouldn't know the difference if they didn't get them, so I don't give them often. I always keep an eye on them and throw them away when they get too short.

[Susan78]

I give the hard Nylabone and I watch her chew. I never leave her alone chewing her bone. She likes to chew on this before bedtime.I used to give her bullysticks but she got sick from them . Susan

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

I give Riley deer antlers.....
Or
Himalayan chews which are Awesome
(When they start getting small you can throw them in the microwave
for 35 to 45 seconds and they will puff back out... I learned that
at a pet Expo)

Himalayan Dog Chews

Or Buffalo Flossies from canine caviar...
Canine Caviar has lots of healthy Buffalo chews...


http://mycaninecaviar.com/products/

That is so wild! loll Have you tried it? I wonder what the texture would be, is it still rock hard? I would think it would be fizzy somehow.
I want to order some himalayan chews just to try that out!
Def gonna try the buffalo chews.

[ziggy925]

Ruger loves bully sticks, but keeps hiding them everywhere. My girlfriend gave him an antler, and he rarely carries it around and never "chews" on it. His favorite chew toy is my dental guard, which I finally learned to put away, and I'm still looking for one that disappeared.