Dogs

Vet Q&A; Chew On This

Feb 03 11:02am

Question

I have a Chihuahua X Jack Russell who loves biting into things. We've bought lots of toys to keep him busy as well as raw hide bleached bones, which he loves. However, I've stopped giving the bones to him as I thought the word 'bleached' might indicate that they are not very healthy for him. What is your opinion and is there a healthier alternative for him to chew on?
Christina Falzon

Answer
provided by Dr Carl Milford BVSc

Dear Christina
Good on you for catering for your dog’s natural instinct to chew. While I have seen dogs that have reacted to chemical dyes used to colour some chews, I have never noticed any reaction from eating bleached hide even though this is a chemical process.

There are many natural products on the market like desiccated pigs ears and natural raw hide bones, as well as a huge range of non-toxic rubber-like toys.

Provided by:

3 Comments Report Abuse

1. judy.dreves - Jul 06 10:31am

I have 2 Bichon Frise 8 months old pups. The boy chews on the girls ears contsantly. What can I do to stop this?

2. emilymccamish - Aug 11 05:46pm

How should I know? I don't know, but my dog Jack has a problem
with my other dog Chelsea, as he chews Chelsea's ears constantly.....

3. braydn31 - Oct 28 01:22pm

I have an 18 month old miniature daschund and he still is not house trained. He doesn't do it all the time mostly when I leave him alone when I go out for a few hours, and when I come home he is all wet on his neck. Could you please help.