how to choose the best dog chews for your dog

Pet parents know better than anyone else how much their dogs love chewing... If you happen to leave your shoe to your dog's teeth, you will no longer have a shoe. Chewing is, undoubtedly, very beneficial for dogs as it helps in jaw muscle exercise, cleaning teeth and relieving the pain.
Chewing is a part of a dog's life. Nowadays, you have a lot of options. There are many kinds of chewing toys, and some of the exciting ones are edible. If you are a new pet owner, you may be confused about choosing different chewing toys. This guide will help you choose the best dog chews.

Know Your Dog
Chewing habit differs among different breeds of dogs. For example, Boxers have very aggressive behaviour regarding chewing. In comparison, you may not find a Shih Tzu this aggressive. More specifically, you may find every dog has a personal preference regarding chews.
Preferences may change over time. Surprisingly, an old dog has different preferences from his young age. A young dog may prefer tough chews, but as a dog ages, his preference may shift to softer chews. You should pick a chew that suits your dog's personality and chewing behaviour.

What to Look for in a Safe Chew
Certain characteristics must be present in dog chews. You should check all these characteristics before purchasing a dog chew.
Hardness: Dog chews must not lacerate your dog's mouth. It should be soft and it must not crack.
Durability: The strength of dog chewing must be high. It should bear aggressive chewing. You don’t want your dog to swallow a broken piece of chew. That is why it should be strong enough to prevent breakage.
Long-lasting: A long-lasting chew is easy on your wallet. In addition, it keeps your dog busy for a long. 
Size: A dog chew must not be too small. A small chew presents the hazard of choking. That is why you need to pick something that is large enough for your dog to put in its mouth at once.
Ingredients: You should look for organic ingredients that do not pose any risk to your dog’s stomach. Avoid any additional coating or flavouring; your dog is good without that.
If you still feel confused about choosing the best chewing for your dog, it is better to consult with your veterinarian. Here are some examples of dog chews. Surely, they will help you make your decision easier.

​Options
Rawhide
Rawhide is one of the most popular dog chews. The inner layer of hiding from a cow or horse is used to make this chew. Reviews suggest that aggressive dogs can break it up into small pieces. These pieces, when swallowed, may pose a health risk. Furthermore, it is not digestible.
Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are safer than rawhides because they can be digested easily. There are various types of bully sticks varying in length and thickness. Only a single ingredient is used to make bully sticks, and that is beef muscle. One of the advantages of the bully stick is that they don't splinter.
AntlersAntlers can be obtained from a variety of animals such as deer or eld. Their advantages include all-natural ingredients, long lasting and a variety of shapes and sizes. They have disadvantages too. Antlers are hard, and your dog may end up breaking his teeth or the antlers. Both these scenarios are harmful.
Yak Cheese Chews
There is a new addition in the world of dog chews, that is yak cheese chews. They are made up of only a few ingredients, i.e., yak's milk, lime juice, and salt. They are easily digested because lactose concentration in it is not high. Another plus is that they are hard enough to last long.
Tendons and Other Animal Parts
You may find it interesting that all parts of animals can be used to make edible chews. Some parts are safer than others and therefore preferred. The trachea can be a good choice for dog chews. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin. Your dog may love chewing the trachea as it is soft.
Human-Made Edible Bones
You can also find a whole range of human-made edible bones that can serve the purpose of dog chewing. Most often, dental bones are designed for teeth cleaning. If you feel interested, you should go for something made of all-natural ingredients and highly digestible. Another thing to consider is the size of the bone. It should be too small or too large.

Final thoughts
After meeting all safety precautions, the most important factor in choosing a dog chew is your dog's preference. It is better to let your dog choose which one is the best for him.


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