Dogs, by nature, love to chew. Puppies in particular chew as a way to both help their emerging teeth as well as to explore the world around them. As they age, some dogs will continue to have a strong urge to chew while others are like inclined to gnaw.
For a dog’s oral health, chewing on bones is a benefit. It scrapes tartar and plaque off the teeth, massages the gums, and helps to keep the teeth strong and healthy. However, not all options in bones are as healthy for your pet as others. With all the stories on the dangers of rawhide chews, many dog owners are looking for alternatives to rawhide bones.
Nylon and Rubber
There are different options in heavy-duty nylon and rubber types of dog chews. These go by a variety of brand names and are durable and strong, but they do have some issues dog owners need to consider.
As alternatives to rawhide bones, they prevent the choking and digestive tract obstruction risks of rawhide, but they can become damaged, and the dog may swallow large to small pieces of the chews. This can be prevented by removing the chews at the first sign of damage. Of course, the biggest drawback is the lack of nutrition or flavor with these chews.
Raw Bones
Raw bones are a healthy option, but they are also very messy. It is not practical to give a dog raw bones in the house, and outdoors they can attract flies and other insects, not to mention in the heat they can quickly become very smelly.
One of the best alternatives to rawhide bones with none of the drawbacks of either of the options mentioned above is baked pork skin chews. They are nutritious, can be fully consumed and are 99.9% digested within 24-hours. These are also very popular with dogs of all ages and sizes, which makes they popular with pet owners as well.
