Everything You Need to Know About Chews for Puppies

Puppies are chewing machines. They chew on everything from toys to furniture to your shoes. While some chewing is normal and even beneficial for puppies, excessive chewing can be a problem.

Why Do Puppies Chew?

There are several reasons why puppies chew:

• To relieve teething pain. When puppies' teeth are coming in, they can experience pain and discomfort. Chewing can help to relieve this pain.
• To explore their environment. Puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings. Chewing on different objects can help them to learn about their environment and develop their sense of taste.
• To satisfy their natural instincts. Puppies are predators, and chewing is a natural instinct for them. Chewing can help them to practice their hunting and killing skills.
• To relieve boredom or anxiety. Puppies can also chew when they are bored or anxious. Chewing can help them to calm down and relieve their stress.

What Are the Benefits of Chewing for Puppies?

Chewing can provide several benefits for puppies, including:

• Dental health. Chewing can help to clean puppies' teeth and gums. It can also help to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.
• Mental stimulation. Chewing can help to stimulate puppies' minds and keep them entertained.
• Physical activity. Chewing can help to provide puppies with physical exercise.
• Bonding with owners. Chewing can be a great way for puppies to bond with their owners.

What Are the Risks of Excessive Chewing?

While some chewing is normal and beneficial for puppies, excessive chewing can be a problem. Excessive chewing can lead to:

• Destructive behavior. Puppies who chew excessively can destroy furniture, shoes, and other objects.
• Injury. Puppies can injure themselves if they chew on hard or sharp objects.
• Health problems. Puppies who chew excessively may develop dental problems, digestive problems, or other health issues.

How to Choose the Right Chews for Puppies

When choosing chews for puppies, it is important to keep the following factors in mind:

• The puppy's age. Puppies of different ages have different chewing needs.
• The puppy's size. Chews should be the appropriate size for the puppy's mouth.
• The puppy's chewing habits. Some puppies are more aggressive chewers than others.
• The puppy's health. Puppies with certain health conditions may need to avoid certain types of chews.

It is also important to supervise puppies when they are chewing. This will help to prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects or injuring themselves.

Types of Chews for Puppies

There are three main types of chews for puppies:

• Natural chews. Natural chews are made from animal parts, such as bones, antlers, and hooves. They are a good source of protein and calcium.
• Synthetic chews. Synthetic chews are made from man-made materials, such as nylon, rubber, and plastic. They are often more durable than natural chews.
• Dental chews. Dental chews are specifically designed to clean puppies' teeth and gums. They are often made from a soft material, such as latex or rubber.

Here is a table that summarizes the different types of chews for puppies:

How to Introduce Chews to Puppies

It is important to introduce chews to puppies slowly and carefully. Start by giving your puppy a small, soft chew. Supervise your puppy while they are chewing to make sure that they do not swallow the chew whole or choke on it.

As your puppy gets older and stronger, you can gradually give them larger and harder chews. It is important to find a chew that your puppy enjoys and that is appropriate for their age, size, and chewing habits.

Tips and Tricks for Chewing Puppies

Here are a few tips and tricks for chewing puppies:

• Provide your puppy with plenty of chews. This will help to keep them entertained and prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects.
• Supervise your puppy when they are chewing. This will help to prevent them from swallowing the chew whole or choking on it.
• Rotate the types of chews that you give your puppy. This will help to keep them interested and prevent them from getting bored.
• Avoid giving your puppy chews that are too hard or sharp. These chews can damage your puppy's teeth or gums.
• Do not give your puppy chews that are made from rawhide. Rawhide chews can be dangerous for puppies because they can splinter and cause choking or intestinal blockages.

Stories

Here are three stories about puppies and chews:

Story 1:

A woman named Sarah brought home a new puppy named Max. Max was a very curious and active puppy, and he loved to chew on everything. Sarah gave Max a variety of chews to play with, but he always seemed to prefer chewing on furniture.

Sarah was frustrated with Max's chewing habits, but she didn't know what to do. She tried scolding him, but that didn't work. She tried giving him more chews, but that didn't work either.

Finally, Sarah's veterinarian suggested that she try giving Max a Kong chew toy. Kong chew toys are made from a durable rubber material, and they can be filled with treats or food. Max loved his Kong chew toy, and it helped to curb his chewing habits.

What we learn:

Kong chew toys can be a great way to satisfy a puppy's natural chewing instincts. Kong chew toys are also durable and long-lasting, so they can provide hours of entertainment for puppies.

Story 2:

A man named John adopted a puppy named Buddy. Buddy was a very playful and energetic puppy, and he loved to chew on everything. John gave Buddy a variety of chews to play with, but Buddy always seemed to prefer chewing on shoes.

John was frustrated with Buddy's chewing habits, but he didn't know what to do. He tried scolding him, but that didn't work. He tried giving him more chews, but that didn't work either.

Finally, John's veterinarian suggested that he try giving Buddy frozen carrots. Frozen carrots are a healthy and refreshing chew that can help to soothe teething pain. Buddy loved frozen carrots, and they helped to curb his chewing habits.

What we learn:

Frozen carrots can be a great way to satisfy a puppy's natural chewing instincts. Frozen carrots are also healthy and refreshing, so they can provide a number of benefits for puppies.

Story 3:

A woman named Mary brought home a new puppy named Bella. Bella was a very shy and timid puppy, and she didn't seem to be interested in chewing on anything. Mary tried giving Bella a variety of chews to play with, but Bella always seemed to prefer chewing on her own tail.

Mary was worried about Bella's chewing habits, but she didn't know what to do. She tried scolding her, but that didn't work. She tried giving her more chews, but that didn't work either.

Finally, Mary's veterinarian suggested that she try giving Bella a stuffed animal**. Stuffed animals can provide comfort and security for puppies, and they can also be a good way to satisfy a puppy's natural chewing instincts. Bella loved her stuffed animal, and it helped to curb her chewing habits.

What we learn:

Stuffed animals can be a great way to satisfy a puppy's natural chewing instincts. Stuffed animals can also provide comfort and security for puppies.

Conclusion

Chewing is a normal and beneficial activity for puppies. However, excessive chewing can be a problem. By choosing the right chews for your puppy and supervising them while they are chewing, you can help to prevent excessive chewing and its associated risks.