When you first bring home a new puppy, it’s not long before you realize your new pet needs something to chew. Besides providing entertainment, chew toys also allow puppies to teethe on incoming teeth. On the other hand, if you don’t provide chew toys, your puppy will use woodwork, furniture or anything else she (or he) finds to relieve the need for chewing.
Unfortunately, most chew toys don’t last more than days, especially for puppies and dogs with strong teeth and powerful jaws. What’s more some chew toys are unsafe and can cause injury or death because of choking.
Provide Plenty of Chew Bones
Dogs that chew through toys first need to get their chewing needs met. That’s why it’s a good idea to first provide your dog with safe commercial chewing bones. When she finishes one, give her another one. It’s also an ideal solution when you have to leave her because it cuts down on boredom. After she’s worked on a few bones, provide a cheap toy or two.
Unsafe Toys That Don’t Last
Most often, the toys that don’t last are also unsafe for pets. Besides obvious choices that aren’t suitable, a few types of toys that aren’t good for dogs left alone include…
Squeaker toys - Toys with squeakers inside of them can easily be destroyed within a day. Even worse, a dog can choke on the squeaker. If you have a strong dog, such as a boxer, the squeaker can be removed within hours.
Vinyl toys - Although entertaining and educational, vinyl toys should only be used for interactive play, when your dog is supervised because it can easily be ripped apart.
Best Chew Toys
Rubber toys – These lead the list of toughest toys that last the longest and are the safest. They’re designed for rough playing dogs and are practically indestructible. Rings and balls made of rubber are excellent selections.
Tennis balls - If you don’t want to invest in new ones, buy some at a thrift store or second hand sports shop.
Most AKC (American Kennel Club) toys – AKC toys hold up longer than usual. Besides being entertaining, they lack hard eyes or noses that dogs can easily chew off. Give your dog its own stuffed toy such as a squirrel or rabbit. Unlike stuffed animals for children, they’re safe and more durable.
Cotton rope knots - These are also good choices, although after time they, too, can become dismantled. However, it usually takes longer to do so and if strands are swallowed they can be eliminated easier than other chews. Your pet just may need some help pulling out the strands from her behind, so be prepared to have a strong stomach. These rope knots also help clean a dog’s teeth, acting as dental floss for canines. Coming in assorted sizes, cotton rope knots are washable.
How to Protect Furniture and Other Household Items
Confine your dog in a crate or to give her more freedom, restrict her with a safety gate to an old room or area where there’s least damage. If your dog still chews on woodwork even when she’s confined within a kitchen, don’t despair. You can always spray woodwork with commercial products that discourage chewing.
Most importantly, be patient. Your puppy will eventually outgrow her need to teethe, as she’ll soon have all her teeth.
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