Gourmet Dog Chews Elevating Your Pet s Chewing Experience

How to stop your dog from chewing their paws

Though not exhaustive, these are some of the most common reasons why your pup might be chewing their paw pads.

1. Allergies

Grass, dirt, specific kinds of food, molds, and fleas can cause itchy skin and watery eyes in dogs.

What to look for: Itching or biting that occurs shortly after being outside or after eating. Does chewing occur at certain times of the year?

2. Chemical irritants

Yard fertilizers and treatments, indoor/outdoor pest control applications, floor cleaners, and salted streets can all irritate a dogs paw pads.

What to look for: Paw chewing occurs after chemical applications, indoors or outdoors. Redness, itching, inflammation.

3. Burns

Burns can happen by accident and are most often the result of a walk on a hot summers day. If your pet has burns, they could be causing itchiness, irritation and crusty-looking paw pads.

What to look for: Paw chewing occurs when its hot outside or after walking on roads, sidewalks, pavement, or the beach.

4. Wounds/injuries

Your pup is on all four feet every day. Their paws are susceptible to ingrown nails, torn toenails, nail bed infections, cuts, wear and tear, and even stingers from insects.

What to look for: Swelling, bleeding, pain, or pad abrasions. Check the nails Wounds and injuries often occur after a long hike or exposure to icy snow, which can cut paws.

5. Arthritis

Your pup may be chewing to alleviate the pain of arthritis a condition that causes inflammation of your pets joints. Vet intervention might be needed for pain control and to limit chewing.

What to look for: Limping, hindered movement, pain, or favoring legs.

6. Cysts

Cyst formation can be irritating to your pet, and can cause chewing.

What to look for: Lumps or protrusions on or around your dogs paw. Excessive paw licking.

7. Dry skin

Dry skin can be itchy, flaky, and overall unpleasant. Your pet might be chewing to alleviate these symptoms or frustration caused by them.

What to look for: Dry, flaky, or cracked paws.

8. Parasites

Fleas, ticks, and mites can all bite your dogs skin and cause irritation.

What to look for: Check for any embedded parasites, particularly after walks in tall grass or wooded areas.

9. Fungal infection

Some of the most common fungal infections seen on doggie paws are ringworm and yeast.

What to look for: Bald spots in the fur, rashes, red and crusty lesions

10. Boredom/anxiety

Similar to how a human might nervously or absentmindedly chew their fingernails, your dog might nibble their toes out of boredom or due to anxiety or they may do it out of habit.

What to look for: Sad puppy eyes, restlessness, pacing, damage to furniture, clothing, or household items

A guide to safe and not-so-safe dog bones

What is the safest bone to give a dog?

Each dog is unique and has their individual needs. However, many agree that the safest bones are synthetic bones and certain types of natural bones. Be sure to steer clear of smaller, brittle bones like those from chicken, turkey, pork, or rib bones; as these can splinter and pose a choking hazard.

Do vets recommend bones for dogs?

Your dog might love gnawing on bones, but many vets say you need to choose chews carefully. There are potential risks, including choking, intestinal blockage, and even fractured teeth. Instead of raw bones, opt for edible synthetic bones or hard chews designed specifically for dogs.

What is the safest thing for a dog to chew on?

Edible synthetic bones and hard chew treats are some of the safest options for your dog to chew on. Some dogs also enjoy rawhide chews, made from the inner layer of cow or horse hides.

What do vets recommend dogs chew on?

Veterinarians typically lean towards recommending synthetic bones, hard chew dog treats, or bully sticks for your dogs chewing needs. These options dont just keep them occupied they can also support your dogs dental health. As always, keep a watchful eye on your dog while theyre enjoying their chew.

What are the best natural bones for dogs?

Options for natural dog bones can vary, but beef and ham bones are popular choices. Some pet parents also opt for edible raw bones like chicken wings and necks, or turkey necks. But vets say you should be cautious with these natural options, even if theyve been processed in a pet-safe way. Raw bones carry a risk for illness and small, cooked bones can splinter.

Are Benebones safe for dogs?

Benebones, a synthetic chew option, can indeed be a safe choice for many dogs. However, factors such as the dogs size, chewing habits, and the specific Benebone product can affect the safety of the chew for your dog. Its always a smart move to chat with your vet before introducing new foods and chewing items into your dogs routine.

Are Collagen Chews Safe for Dogs?

As pet owners, we continuously seek ways to improve the well-being of our beloved four-legged friends. With the rising popularity of dietary supplements for dogs, collagen chews have emerged as an excellent option to enhance their joint health, skin condition, and overall well-being.

However, before you introduce any new product into your pet's routine, it is essential to understand its safety and potential risks. In this article, we dive into the world of collagen chews for dogs, uncover how they are made, and understand how they are different from other natural chews.

What Are Collagen Chews?

Collagen chews for dogs are a reliable and secure choice when it comes to chew treats. These chews are not only safe for dogs to enjoy but also offer a range of benefits that contribute to their overall well-being.

One key advantage of collagen chews is their ability to provide a long-lasting chewing experience. Dogs naturally have a strong urge to chew, and collagen chews satisfy this instinct by offering a durable and satisfying chew that can keep them engaged for extended periods. This not only provides mental stimulation but also helps promote dental health. As dogs chew on the collagen chews, they engage in a natural teeth-cleaning action that can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, lowering the risk of dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Moreover, collagen chews are designed to provide dogs with specific nutritional benefits. Collagen, as a protein, plays a crucial role in supporting joint health, promoting healthy skin and coat, and aiding in digestion. By incorporating collagen into chew treats, manufacturers aim to provide dogs with a convenient and enjoyable way to supplement this essential protein in their diet.

How Are Collagen Chews Made?

Collagen chews for dogs are made through a carefully controlled manufacturing process that involves several steps to ensure the production of safe and effective chew treats. The exact process may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and specific formulation, but here is a general overview of how collagen chews are made:

• Sourcing and Preparing Collagen: The first step involves sourcing high-quality collagen, which is typically derived from animal sources such as bovine or marine collagen. The collagen is extracted from the connective tissues of animals and undergoes a purification process to remove impurities and ensure its purity and safety.
• Mixing and Formulation: Once the collagen is obtained, it is mixed with other ingredients to create a cohesive and flavorful chew. These additional ingredients may include natural flavors, binders, preservatives, and other components to enhance palatability, texture, and overall quality.
• Shaping and Molding: The collagen mixture is then shaped into the desired form, such as bones, sticks, or other chew shapes. This is often done using molds or extrusion techniques that allow for consistent and uniform shapes.
• Drying or Baking: After molding, the collagen chews may go through a drying or baking process to remove moisture and achieve the desired texture and chewiness. This step helps to improve the shelf life and stability of the chews while preserving their nutritional integrity.
• Quality Control and Testing: Throughout the manufacturing process, rigorous quality control measures are implemented to ensure that the collagen chews meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficacy. This may involve testing for contaminants, such as bacteria or heavy metals, as well as verifying the nutritional composition and overall product integrity.
• Packaging and Distribution: Once the collagen chews have been manufactured and passed quality control checks, they are packaged in suitable containers or pouches. The packaging is designed to maintain freshness and protect the chews from moisture, air, and other external factors that could compromise their quality. The finished products are then distributed to retailers or directly to consumers.

It's important to note that different manufacturers may have variations in their production processes and may use specific proprietary methods or additional steps to create their collagen chews. Additionally, some collagen chews may undergo additional processing, such as adding additional functional ingredients like vitamins or supplements to enhance their nutritional benefits.

How Are They Different from Other Natural Chews?

There are some key differences between collagen chews and other natural chews. These include:

1. Ingredients

Collagen chews are specifically formulated to include collagen, a protein found in connective tissues. This sets them apart from other natural chews that may be made from ingredients like rawhide, bully sticks, or antlers. The inclusion of collagen in these chews offers potential advantages for joint health, skin condition, and overall well-being.

2. Digestibility

Collagen chews are generally more easily digestible compared to some other natural chews. For example, if consumed in large pieces, rawhide chews can be harder to digest and may pose a higher risk of causing gastrointestinal issues or blockages. Collagen chews are designed to be gentler on the digestive system, making them a potentially safer option for dogs.

3. Nutrients

Collagen chews offer the potential benefits associated with collagen, which is rich in amino acids essential for the body's structural tissues. Collagen provides support for joint health, skin elasticity, and overall vitality. Other natural chews may have different nutritional profiles, such as providing minerals or nutrients from the specific ingredient they are made from.

4. Dental Benefits

While various natural chews can contribute to dental hygiene, collagen chews often have added textures or designs that can help remove plaque and tartar buildup, promoting healthier teeth and gums. The mechanical action of chewing on collagen chews can help scrape away plaque and reduce the risk of dental issues.

Get the Best Collagen Chew Toys for Your Canine

Collagen chews offer potential benefits for our canine companions. They can support joint health, promote dental hygiene, and provide a safe and enjoyable chewing experience. Plus, they serve as a viable alternative to traditional rawhide chews, with a lower risk of digestive issues and choking hazards.

Pet Expertise is a top provider of collagen dog chews to satisfy your canine's natural chewing instincts. We have 12 Inch Medium Beef Collagen Sticks that will surely boost your canines good health.

Click this link to check out our complete collection.

How to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing

Shredded shoes. Chewed-up table legs. Pillows de-stuffed. A dog can quickly destroy quite a few things throughout your home with their chewing talents. I've seen dogs chew through harnesses or tethers in under a minute and worked with dogs who have chewed holes through walls during separation anxiety panic attacks.

Not only is a dog's excessive chewing frustrating, but it can be expensive to replace household items. Plus, it can be dangerous for your dog if they chew on toxic or dangerous things like power cords or remote controllers with batteries.

Shoes, glasses, and other clothing are also common chewing casualties. Dogs gravitate towards things that smell, so the things we sweat in or on are extra enticing to them. Plus, shoes and slippers are made from materials that mimic dog toys and are simply fun for your dog to shred.

If you're tired of replacing items around your home that your dog has chewed on or worried about keeping them safe, there are ways to stop your dog's chewing. First, it's important to understand why your dog is chewing, so that you can address the underlying problem. Treat the cause of the behavior, not just the symptoms!

Why is Your Dog Chewing Everything?

Your Dog NEEDS to Chew

Chewing is an important activity for dogs for a variety of reasons. It keeps their jaws strong, plays a role in keeping their teeth clean, and due to its repetitive nature, it's naturally calming. The act of chewing produces "feel good" chemicals in your dog's brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.

Your dog will always have an instinctual need to chew you can't train it out of them. But you can do things to make sure they are chewing on appropriate dog chews or toys instead of your shoes.

Dog Chewing Due to Boredom

If a dog isn't getting enough physical exercise or mental enrichment, they'll find something to do to entertain themselves. This often means they'll start chewing on whatever is available, whether it's your table or your shoes.

Even if you leave lots of dog toys out for your dog, these easily lose their "value" and aren't as exciting as when they were brand new.So it's not just about throwing all of your dog's toys on the floor in hopes that they'll not chew on your furniture.

Dog Chewing Due to Stress or Anxiety

Dogs who experience anxiety when left alone (separation anxiety) or suffer from other anxieties (like noise anxiety), may exhibit excessive destructive chewing. Dogs with separation anxiety may even try chewing through walls or doors in an effort to get to their person.

Destructive chewing due to stress or anxiety is not your dog throwing a tantrum or trying to teach you a lesson. They are having a panic attack, and chewing is just a symptom of their panic. In cases of less apparent stress, such as when you have house guests and your dog isn't so sure about all the activity, they may start to chew to try and calm themselves down.

If your dog is only chewing on things when they are left alone or during other stressful events, it's best to treat that underlying anxiety rather than focusing on just stopping the chewing.

Dog Chewing Due to Teething

During teething, when your puppy is losing their puppy teeth, and their adult teeth are growing in, chewing helps soothe the pain and sore gums. Providing special teething chews can go a long way in helping them feel better. Puppies start teething usually between 12 to 16 weeks of age, and it lasts until 6 to 7 months old.

Beyond destructive chewing, teething puppies also tend to get extra nippy and mouthy. See my top tips for nipping puppies here.

At What Age Do Puppies Stop Chewing?

Your dog won't simply grow out of chewing. If you don't help them learn what's okay to chew on and what isn't from a young age, they'll have a habit of making any and everything a chew toy. Puppies will often chew more than adult dogs because of their teething, which will lessen when teething ends around 7 months old.

But adult dogs will still need to chew! If you're consistent in teaching your puppy what's okay to put their mouth on and making sure they have access to their preferred chews, as an adult they will make better choices in their chewing habits.

How to Stop Your Dog's Inappropriate Chewing

Manage Your Dog's Environment

The number one thing you can do to stop your dog's destructive chewing is to remove the temptation! This is especially important for puppies who are learning what they should and should not put their mouths on. Don't give your puppy the chance to chew on items you don't want them to chew on.

• "Puppy proof" every room your dog has access to.
• Block off access to rooms that have enticing items your dog may want to chew on. For example, I have an auto-close baby gate installed in my stepson's bedroom doorway, as my younger dog is incredibly interested in his legos and other toys. It was much easier to set up a gate than to expect a 10-year-old child to keep his floor picked up, or the door always closed.
• Supervise your puppy to calmly interrupt inappropriate chewing and redirect them to appropriate chews. See below for my favorite options.
• Set up a puppy playpen where your puppy can hang out safely when not under direct supervision.
• Keep your shoes and jackets put away, hang up your backpacks or purses, and store other items up high out of your dog's reach. This removes the opportunity but also helps prevent xylitol poisoning, ingesting things that cause intestinal blockages, or suffocation tragedies.

Vet Tip: Regularly check your dog's poo for any "contraband" like legos or Nerf gun ammunition. This helps you determine whether your dog is chewing on and ingesting household items and can also be an early indicator of a risk of an intestinal blockage if none or only part of the ingested item is "passed."

Give Your Dog Appropriate Things to Chew

Make sure your dog always has access to between 3 to 5 chew toys. Test out what type of toys your dog most enjoys. Some like soft stuffies, while others like harder rubber, rope toys, squeakers, or crinkly toys. My younger dog prefers harder rubber toys to gnaw on, while my older girl likes to nibble on stuffed dog toys.

Wondering what toys your dog might like? Learn about the different "chewsonalities" here to find out what are the safest chew toy options. Puppies and senior dogs often need softer chew toy material, as their teeth can be more sensitive.

Edible Dog Chews & Puzzle Feeders

My favorite way to ensure my dogs are getting enough appropriate chewing every day is to provide them with daily edible chews. I give my dogs Virbac C.E.T. dental chews to get the extra benefit of dental care, and then rotate in Earth Animal No-Hide Chews for variety. More of my top picks for edible dog chews here.

Note: Always supervise your dog when they have edible chews.

Another way to reduce the chances your dog will seek out inappropriate things to chew on is to provide regular meals via enrichment toys. Enrichment helps decrease boredom and channels excess energy into better options than destructive chewing.

Mealtime is the easiest option to make into a brain game. Instead of just snarfing up all the food from a regular bowl, slow down your dog's eating with an interactive feeder. Snuffle mats are perfect for getting your dog to sniff for their meals, and West Paw Toppls are my favorite stuffable toy to encourage licking both of which are decompression activities for dogs.

Check out more of my favorite interactive feeders and dog puzzles here. Here's a photo of just some of my dogs' interactive feeder and puzzle stash there is a lot to choose from, and variety is the spice of life!

Rotate Your Dog's Toys and Chews

Many people tell me, "My dog has plenty of toys out, and yet they still chew up my stuff!" What gives? Well, first, we want to rule out things like separation anxiety or stress as the underlying cause of destructive chewing. But often, this happens because a dog has simply gotten bored with the same-old, same-old toys.

To keep your dog interested in appropriate chew toys, rotate which toys are out each week. As I mentioned above, you want to have around 3 to 5 different chew toys available for your dog. Keep other toys put away in a closet and then rotate through them. This way, you don't have to buy brand-new toys all the time, but your dog still gets "new" toys to keep it exciting. Make a big deal about the toys when they come out of hiding to increase the value of them for your dog.

Toy rotation makes it easier to remember to clean your dog's toys regularly!

Does Bitter Apple Spray Work?

"No-chew" sprays are simply deterrents; they aren't a solution for a dog's destructive chewing. And in my experience, many dogs actually don't seem to mind the taste and will chew on things even after they've been treated with bitter apple spray. The spray will also dissipate with time, leaving the item free and clear for chewing in the future. I tend to only recommend bitter sprays in extreme cases where other more effective and safer management is not possible (which is rare), and never as the only part of treatment.

What Should You Do if You Catch Your Dog Chewing on Things?

It can be frustrating to find your dog chewing on something they shouldn't be, but don't let that frustration come out in yelling, screaming, or hitting. Doing so damages your relationship with your dog and doesn't do anything to stop future chewing. And in many cases, it causes avoidant behavior in your dog where they try to hide from you. Your dog doesn't "know better." They're simply being a dog, and dogs need to chew.

Instead, calmly ask your dog to Drop It or do a trade for the item. Staying calm and positive while you do this helps prevent your dog from playing "keep away" or starting to resource guard.

Then consider how you can prevent your dog from doing it again. Do you need to block off access to that room? Be more careful about leaving something very enticing out within easy reach. Meet your dog's needs to prevent boredom chewing. Or get help from a certified behavior consultant to treat your dog's anxiety? Identifying the underlying issue for your dog's chewing will go a long way in stopping it in the future.

Looking for help with your dog's destructive chewing? I can help!Connect with me in a virtual one-on-one session to get the chewing under control.