Dan's Papers - October 3, 2008

We've come a long way since the day of throwing the dog a bone, and the bone was a marrowbone we got from the butcher, or, better yet, a steak bone left over from dinner.

There are so many types of chews available from your pet supply retailer that it's overwhelming. I'm going to try to break it down into some categorized order, and hope you resist the urge to grab the one that looks the best. Let's start with the chews, which I do think are safer. Nylabones are an old favorite. They have a huge selection of pure virgin nylon, long lasting durable chews that don't splinter and come in a variety of sizes. They also have flavored edible bones and dental chews.

My dogs, large and small, seem to love the bone that has the least appeal to humans. Extra hard, heat sterilized natural beef bones seem to last forever and I can stuff them with peanut butter. The bones also come pre-stuffed or smoked, but I find that it makes the dogs very thirsty.

Most dogs go crazy over knuckle bones, which seem to be relatively safe, but they too will make your dog thirsty. They also have a very strong odor and will probably leave stains on your carpeting.

Animal body parts ... I just can't get over my initial reaction to seeing them displayed in boxes. There are pig, cow and lamb ears, assorted hooves, pig snoots, muscle chews and bully sticks (you're on your own with that one) just to name a few. All dogs love them, and people love what will keep their dogs content and stop them from chewing something else in the house. However, there are side effects you should be aware of, like vomiting and diarrhea. They can also carry Salmonella which worries me, not only for the dogs health, but because it can be picked up by a family member.

Now, for the chews I don't consider safe and will not give to my own dogs. I call these the "mushy-stringy" group, and it includes rawhide and greenies. The danger of these chews is that they become soft and stretched and large pieces are swallowed, but don't digest easily. Many times they have to be surgically removed.

Dog toys now come in every shape, size, material and color imaginable. I like the ones that cannot be torn apart and do not have bells or squeakers that your dog can easily remove and choke on. Stay away from toys made of soft rubber or latex that can be compressed or shredded and swallowed. A large dog can actually swallow a tennis ball. They can cause a blockage in the dog's airway or alimentary canal.

Kong toys are durable and fun. They may be a little pricier, but they're worth it. Knots and ropes are available in lots of sizes and, though they tend to fray a bit, are relatively safe. If your dog is teething, you can wet a braided rope and freeze it.

Plush toys are stuffed animals for your dog. Some dogs love to cuddle up and sleep with them. Some dogs love to rip them to pieces and pull the stuffing out. Be aware of the noisemakers inside the unstuffed animal.

Please refrain from letting your dog pick out his own toy. He will be even less discerning than a child in Toys 'R' Us. Chances are, your dog will play with anything that's not nailed down. Appropriate size is very important. And don't give smoked chews to a puppy that's not housebroken. Ask questions, read labels, and think safety first.