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treat your dog wisely: Rawhide Alternatives

rawhide chews pose a serious risk to your dog.

Animal advocacy groups have shined a light on the hazards these “chews” contain. If you’re looking for a healthy, safer alternative for your dog, there are plenty of other options available. I find great prices online, Amazon is a good source and you can research the products and sellers if you are inclined to be well-aware of what you feed your dog. Always supervise the use of any chewing product.

antlers

Deer and elk antlers are fantastic treats for your pet. They have multiple benefits like helping your dog maintain healthy, clean teeth and providing essential nutrients his body needs to thrive. Antlers are full of potassium, zinc, calcium and manganese to promote a long, lasting life. Best of all, these things stand up to even the toughest chewers. That said, antlers are dense and can be hard. Broken teeth are also a possibility.

sweet potato chews

Sweet potatoes are the ultimate light snack for your pup. When cooked properly, they can keep him busy for shorter periods of time. Sweet Potatoes are high in fiber to promote a healthy digestive system and also provide many of the nutrients your dog requires. When dried out in the oven the rough edges offer a great way to help clean your buddy’s teeth.

frozen carrots

Frozen carrots are perfect, all natural treats that most dogs love. These orange sticks are already kind of tough to chew through to begin with, but when you toss them in the freezer for a few hours they become even more long lasting. They’re also low on calories so you don’t have to feel guilty about plumping up your pooch.

bully sticks

Bully Sticks are most commonly a dehydrated bull tendon or bull pizzle. Found in many shapes and sizes, these can be a short-term or long-term engagement for your dog, and have a very high nutritional value! While a lot of pet owners have discovered that bully sticks are a great way to keep your dog happy and busy, they’re expensive to buy and smell pretty awful. I buy in bulk and store them over months in a cool, dry space. Just be sure to keep your dog within your sight when giving him one.

venison ears

A lot of pet stores have sections full of ear chews, most of which are some variety of pig or beef, and the smell is harsh. Venison chews, however, are low in fat. They’re tough for your pup to chew through, which will make him happy, while also being a healthy treat. They don’t break easily so they pose little in the way of choking hazards, but you’ll probably still be able to stay in the room with your dog while he gnaws one of these down.

fish skin bones

Fish Skin Bones are made by pressing dehydrated skin into a stick or bone shape. Obviously the name is a bit of a misnomer, but these healthy chews are low in fat and non-greasy, making them a great alternative to traditional rawhide bones. The texture is somewhat like jerky and the chews are great for your pup’s skin. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, dried fish skins also provide lean protein and Omega-3s while helping to clean your dog’s teeth.

himalayan chews

Himalayan chews aren’t always easy to find at the local pet store, but they’re a great choice for dogs with digestive issues. Made of yak and cow milk, along with salt and lime juice for flavor, most dogs have no problem with these in their stomach. They’re tough as most bones and, even if broken, typically aren’t dangerous for your dog to swallow. That doesn’t mean you should let them gulp down huge chunks, but the risk isn’t the same as with rawhide. These chews can last for hours.

 

Lindsey Niles

trainer/ behavioral specialist

Patience4Paws dog training

Tethered Bootcamp – P4P

THE FOUR PHASE Bootcamp – addressing behavioral issues in dogs
The Four Phase Boot Camp Plan is incredibly efficient in addressing many different behavioral issues, from mild to extreme cases. This behavioral modification program addresses the holistic imbalances your dog is living with. Behavioral issues, the unwanted behaviors your dog performs, are just symptom of a bigger issue. Once unwanted behaviors become habitual the intensity ususally increases, and your dog’s imbalance becomes more dramatic. These imbalances can be the result of trauma or experience. I will guide you through your tethering program and teach communication techniques to fine-tune your interractions and build confidence and balance in your dog.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

As more and more Americans appreciate the fantastic flavor and health benefits of coconut oil, many more excellent brands show up on store shelves. My favorite happens to be Tropical Traditions because it’s made from certified organic coconuts, which have not been treated with chemicals or fertilizers. Plus, it comes in a generously proportioned glass bottle (which I much prefer to plastic), so I always have enough to share with my beloved fur-babes!

My dog and cat receive a loving spoonful of the stuff at every meal — a teaspoonful, to be precise, straight from the bottle — and I do all my cooking with it (coconut oil makes the best-ever perogies and eggs).
Fed regularly to pets, coconut oil can have many health benefits — for their skin, digestive and immune systems; metabolic function; and even their bone and brain health!

The top 10 reasons to add coconut oil to your dog’s diet:
Coconut oil improves overall skin health, and clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin. Incredibly emollient, coconut oil helps moisturize the driest skin and makes a dog’s coat gleam with health — whether you add it to her diet, her shampoo, or both!

Applied topically to the skin, coconut oil promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, bites, and stings.
With recent findings that antibiotic ointments actually cause scars to be worse, this is a great natural option. And it’s no big deal if the animal licks it off.

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut oil help reduce doggy odor, and its pleasantly tropical aroma imparts a delightful scent to a dog’s skin and coat.
Coconut oil prevents and treats yeast infections, including candida. Its antiviral agents also help dogs recover quickly from kennel cough.

Digestion and nutrient absorption are improved by the addition of coconut oil to a dog’s diet. It can, however, cause stool to loosen; if that happens, just add a few spoonful’s of canned pumpkin to your dog’s diet.

Coconut oil reduces — and sometimes eliminates — doggy breath. Some dog lovers even brush their pets’ teeth with the stuff! Which makes sense, as dogs love the taste of coconut oil, and that makes the chore less arduous for brusher and brushee.

Like cinnamon, coconut oil helps prevent diabetes by regulating and balancing insulin. It also promotes normal thyroid function, and helps prevent infection and heart disease. Helping to reduce weight and increase energy, coconut oil also promotes mobility in dogs with arthritis and other joint issues.

Again like cinnamon, coconut oil is excellent for brain health; it’s being used to stave off dementia in humans, and it’s a must to keep senior dogs’ minds from becoming cloudy.

I would love to hear from you if you have noticed any further advantages to using Coconut oil in your adventures as a pet parent.

Email me with your comments and feedback: lindsey@patience4paws.com