So our 9 week old lab puppy LOVES rawhide bones (we gave her one a few days ago and she has been chewing it ever since). Since then I've read how they aren't good for her (bad preservatives). So I am looking for something similar to rawhides but that are safer. I looked at a couple of alternatives but the cost is unreasonable (Himalayan Dog Chews, etc). Any suggestions?
I love pork chomps. They are a little pricy, but they are actually rawhide free and super easy for pups to digest. That's all we give our dog now. Check them out!
There is loads of different things you can use for chews to keep your pup entertained. We used cow ears (organic), yak chews, we got an antler at 5 months and wish we got it sooner, frozen kongs, frozen carrots/bananas. There is loads on Amazon if you look for organic or natural puppy chews. Another thing for a little great entertainment is in the kitchen we sometimes throw an ice cube down and Luna will run around chasing it!
Our Lab is 7 months and a mid range chewer, we let him have split antlers (I’ve read the split antler is more suitable for a puppy than a whole one, don’t quote me on it though!) - these are expensive (£12ish) but they last a long time and we only allow it for a certain amount of time each evening, so I find the price reasonable. Cows ears are a good cheap alternate but less chew time for us. Also we’ve found recently as a result of his love to chew wood, we got him a wood chew from the pet shop, it’s a particular wood type that is safer for them to eat. This has lasted some time too so feels worth the price (around £10 for large). Wilson can clear a yak chew in an hour, I don’t personally find them to be worth the cost. Always looking for new suggestions!
Luna is 11 months now and yes the cow ears and yak chews go much quicker so we have an xxxl antler she loves. At 9 weeks the ears and yak chews will last for such a long time as they dont have as much power in their jaws. She also likes chewing on her Kong heavy duty rubber toys
For some reason he’s not a toy chewer? A toy destroyer, yes, but doesn’t want to chew toys. He’s only very recently started to pay attention to a nylabone we’ve had for him since day one.
Luna has a kong teddy I got for her coming home and she will still sit with it and 'mouth' it, she loves it I am so glad it is durable! She wasn't a fan of nylabones prefers soft toys. I love watching their little personality develop and finding themselves
Oh totally, it’s fascinating to see their character come out isn’t it. Especially the little things that they did at 8 weeks that you still see at 8 months and I’d bet 8 years! Wilson’s ‘coming home’ teddy, Jim, was dismembered within a few days and stored away, limbs and all, by soppy me as a memento
Pigs ears are good too. Not sure if you can get freeze dried windies or moo tubes where you are. Basically the windpipe. You can stuff them with meat or feed alone. They are full of glucosamine and chondroitin too, so are pig and cow ears. I get locally produced freeze dried treats because they have zero preservatives, colour etc, just single ingredient treats. Haven’t tried hooves or antlers yet.
