what should my puppy chew

[charlysmom_dad]

We recently ( Monday) adopted a puppy. She was found as a stray. The shelter said she is 4 months old. We never had a dog so young. 6 months was the youngest.

Can anyone help with information on a good chew toy. We really don't want to give her rawhide. We bought a rubber toy which she has zero interest in. So far she likes to chew on me & also my jeans.
Any help ( please, I'm beggin you)

[Old-Biscuit]

Stop the chewing on YOU ASAP
Stop the chewing on pants legs etc.

As suggested by Dog Folks and Francesca Knowles
Frozen wash clothes.
Used them for all our teething pups.

[Francesca_Knowl]

charlysmom&dad wrote:
We just stopped her from chewing the peepee pad in her cage.

If she only chewed on the p-pad, not her bedding for example, it may be that salt is an attractant. I've often thought that's why dogs are attracted to used shoes for the same purpose. Completely unsubstantiated of course- just my opinion. That said: For actual teething pups, I've used terry rags twisted tightly into knots, soaked in a very mild salt solution, well wrung out, then frozen. One will keep a pup busy for quite some time, no splintering danger.

Reason for knot-tying is twofold:
First, it lasts longer that way, but perhaps more important:
In that shape it doesn't resemble any other household towel/object. I've learned the hard way that if you give a dog an "old" ANYTHING to chew on, it will forever after identify similar-looking objects as fair game.

[charlysmom_dad]

Great suggestions. Thanks all. We just stopped her from chewing the peepee pad in her cage.

[charlysmom_dad]

CA POPPY wrote:
Congrats on your new pup! What size dog is she going to be? With the toy breeds, you need to be more careful as the teeth aren't as dense as in larger breeds. Also, the little guys get intestinal blockages more easily, so it's good that you aren't giving her rawhides. Have you tried Milkbone?

The shelter said she's a miniature poodle. She's about 8lbs now.
Milkbones, will they last long? I'll google them. Thanks

[BCSnob]

Our dogs also enjoyed used milking inflations after a dairy was done with them (given to us by a friend):




MooTugs

They also enjoy the leg off an old pair of jeans tied in a knot.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

My dogs have always like the boiled cow legs bones to gnaw on - I get them bigger than recommended so they can't be splintered. Kongs are awesome; as are Nylabones. And I recently bought a Z-shaped rubbery tug-of-war thing that Ben seems to enjoy - I forget the name of it but I found it on Amazon.

[CA_POPPY]

Congrats on your new pup! What size dog is she going to be? With the toy breeds, you need to be more careful as the teeth aren't as dense as in larger breeds. Also, the little guys get intestinal blockages more easily, so it's good that you aren't giving her rawhides. Have you tried Milkbone?

[charlysmom_dad]

Thanks for both those links. We'll definitely be wtching her hen she chews.

[Dog_Folks]

For teething we have used two things very successfully: 1. Small ice cubes. It soothes the gums, Small ice cube trays can be purchased in the home department. The cube is only about 1/2 " square.

2. Frozen, damp wash cloths. Again, the cold will soothe the gums , but as Dr. Doug mentioned, you have to watch them closely to insure that the puppy is just chewing on, not chewing and swallowing pieces.

The last dog we raised used ice cubes. She thought they were a "treat" her entire adult life! She loved them. Cheaper than dog bones! LOL

[dturm]

I really like Nylabone products and the kongs, but any product can be dangerous if chunks are broken off and swallowed. It's a pretty good practice to be with them when they are chewing, at least initially until you can be confident in how they chew.

You get some real aggressive chewers that tend to get into problems swallowing big pieces and breaking teeth.

Doug, DVM

[BCSnob]

Our Border Collies go through hooves fairly quickly. We recenlty tried water buffalo horn which is solid (pieces can't be broken off the sides like hooves) and DON'T STINK. We were told to make sure we get horns that are solid (not hollow).

Mark

[Pawz4me]

charlysmom&dad wrote:
Pawz4me, the cow hooves and elk antlers, do they last a long time? I wouldn't want her to gobble them down, and get an upset stomach.

They last a very long time here, but neither of mine are power chewers. I've got a 3 yo Shih Tzu and a 14 yo Brittany.

One thing to note -- I get Dentley's hooves at Petsmart, and to me they smell pretty bad. I think the smell is part of the attraction for the dogs!

[AZPops]

Pawz4me wrote:
Depending on your source, you can find risks with any chew toy -- a choking risk, risk of a broken tooth, etc. And those risks are certainly true. But it's also true that puppies are going to chew on something. If it's not something you provide, then it's going to be your walls or furniture or stair banisters or something worse. And all of those certainly have risks, too!

So, having said all that -- The preferred chews here are deer/elk antlers and cow hooves. My dogs also love Kongs, but only when they've been frozen with something yummy stuffed inside (canned dog food, etc.).

Well that sounds tasty.

Anonymous

[charlysmom_dad]

I thought of kong toys. I'm not really looking for something to keep her busy just yet. I just want something to help her with her teething. I didn't really want to give her a lot of treats. If she didn't like the rubber toy, I don't think she'll like the empty kong.

Pawz4me, the cow hooves and elk antlers, do they last a long time? I wouldn't want her to gobble them down, and get an upset stomach.

[Pawz4me]

Depending on your source, you can find risks with any chew toy -- a choking risk, risk of a broken tooth, etc. And those risks are certainly true. But it's also true that puppies are going to chew on something. If it's not something you provide, then it's going to be your walls or furniture or stair banisters or something worse. And all of those certainly have risks, too!

So, having said all that -- The preferred chews here are deer/elk antlers and cow hooves. My dogs also love Kongs, but only when they've been frozen with something yummy stuffed inside (canned dog food, etc.).