While many people have grown up with dogs in their family and then in their own homes, other people are just discovering the joy of dog ownership for the first time. For these new dog owners, either puppy owners or those adopting or rescuing a dog, knowing what to look for in healthy dog chews is important.
It is critical to understand that all dogs and puppies have the need to chew. Some dogs grow out of this as they get older, while others may stay more active chewers throughout their life. By providing healthy dog chews once a day, dogs can satisfy their natural urge to chew without taking a bite out of your favorite shoes, the remote control or the pillows on the couch.
Determining if the dog chews are healthy starts with reading the label. If the label indicates the chews are made from rawhide, they are not a healthy option. These products can cause digestive irritation, blockages of the digestive system, choking hazards and even additional problems with your dog’s dental care.
The factors to look for in healthy dog chews, other than a rawhide alternative product, include the following three factors.
High Digestibility Levels
Rawhide dog chews only have an 85% digestibility rating after 24 hours. By choosing chews made from baked pork skin, the digestibility rating is up to 99.9% in the same amount of time. High digestibility also means they will not irritate the dog’s digestive tract in the same way that undigested rawhide can.
Quality Control in Production
Look for dog chews made in GFSI certified facilities. GFSI stands for Global Food Safety Initiative. It means the facility meets the standards for human food production.
Various Sizes for Different Dogs
Look for dog chews which come in a variety of sizes for different ages and breeds of dogs. Matching the right size of chew to the dog prevents accidental swallowing of the chew which is always a concern and a safety issue with your pet.
