what you need to know about your dog's food
Keeping Your Dog Healthy With Natural Chew Toys And Treats
Isabella Harper
Dogs like to chew on things. That is just the way it is and in some cases, if you don't give them something to chew on, they will find something in your home to chew that you do not want to be chewed up. It is important that you give them something to chew that is not going to hurt them and while there are a lot of options on the market, there are some things that are better than others.
Make Sure Toys Will Help Your Dog Be Healthy and Happy
Because most dogs will chew on a toy until there is very little left of it, making sure that the toy is healthy for their system is important. For many years rawhide was popular for dogs but the material is often treated with chemicals to preserve it and those chemicals can end up in your dog's system, building up over time. The long-term impact can be all kinds of health problems that nobody would want for their dog. Finding toys and chews that are made from things like natural rubber is a better alternative and they are less likely to hurt your dog over time.
Consider Antler Chews
If you have a dog that is a voracious chewer, you might want to consider something like natural antler dog chews. Taken from deer, elk, and other antler-bearing animals, the sections are smoothed down so they do not hurt the dog's mouth and cut into a variety of different sizes and shapes so finding one for your dog should not be too difficult. Make sure that the piece you choose for your dog is sized appropriately so that it does not get stuck in their mouth or become a choking hazard. If the dog chews the antler section down until he could swallow it, take it away and replace it with a new piece.
Use Natural Rubber Chews for Older Dogs
Natural rubber chews are also a good choice but better suited to older dogs that do not chew as much as younger ones. The rubber chews sometimes have holes in them that allow you to fill the chew with a treat like peanut butter. The dog has to work to get the treat out of the toy but the challenge is good for them and can be healthy without them even knowing you are giving them something good for them.
Avoid Plastic and Other Materials
When you start shopping for toys and chews for your dog, try to avoid anything that is made of plastic or other chemically based materials. Look at the packaging and try to determine what the chew is made from before you buy it. If the ingredients read like a chemical factory, it is best to leave it on the shelf and move on to wood or other natural material that has not been treated with chemicals and other things your dog does not need.
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What do you feed your dog? Does your dog have digestive problems? Is his coat beginning to lose its shine? What you feed your dog matters. Instead of going to the store and picking up the cheapest bag of food you can find, it is important that you stop and read the label to find out what ingredients are used to make the dog food. Go to my site to find out what ingredients that you should never give your dog in his food and to learn what ingredients are essential for optimum health and beautiful fur. Hopefully, what you learn will help your dog look and feel his best for many years.