[Lovemymunchkins]

Ever since I read this article concerning rawhide:
Danger Rawhide

I refuse to give my dogs anything with rawhide in it. It's a personal choice and I just don't feel it is safe. I know there are plenty of people out there who have fed/feed rawhide treats and don't have any problems with their dogs, but, for me, I'm not willing to take the chance...

My question is, besides bully sticks, are there any other safe alternatives to rawhide?

My dogs love to chew, and they love their bully sticks, but, I was just hoping there was something else out there I could alternate with bully sticks for them.

I've heard of Lamb and Beef Trachea as being good chews for them, has anyone else tried or heard good things about either of those or any other products I may have not heard of?

 

[whiteleo]

Yeah, rawhide is icky, have never given it to my bull terriers, I did however give them lots of merrick dog bone treats that included moo tubes, tracheas, they are a pretty good dog treat, but very rich, so just a little at a time. But aren't you on a raw diet, and if you are why not give them buffalo ribs. They come in a bag of about 12-14 frozen ribs and they seem they might be perfect for your little ones.

 

[lorih1770]

Bully sticks

 

[wags]

Hi!

Your dogs are small, but you could go to the butcher and ask for a knuckle bone which I don't know about the size for yours, but if you leave it uncooked (raw) this is a great chew alternative. Also I use kong toys which you can find small ones for smaller dogs and i put them overnight in the freezer with vanilla low fat or non fat plain vanilla yogurt. My dogs love this they think its like ice cream (what they don't know can't hurt them haha) and its good for them. also I know about the peanut butter scare but their are safe peanut butters out there you can either fill it with this and have it soft or I freeze this also and it takes them laonger then to get through it. Which is a nice alternative. also nylabones and nylant type ones are good. And I cant think of the name but they have those ones shaped like dinasaurs near the healthy edible treats, which are another (if your dog likes them) alternative.
The kong toys are great though and the knuckle bones form the buthcer.

 

[rannmiller]

You'll want to be careful with knuckle bones and other weight bearing bones regardless, but especially with dogs as small as yours. I think the Nylabones are a good alternative, along with Kongs. Also, if you switch to prety model raw, they will get some really good chewing in every day as well. You might also look into getting some chicken feet for them to chew on. They're a natural source of glucosamine and my pups love them! Yes, they look disgusting, but that doesn't mean they aren't good for your dogs, and with how tiny your yorkies are, it will probably take them at least a little while to get through the chicken feet.

Good luck!

 

[RawFedDogs]

I like Nylabones, but only the original flavor ones. Seems like the flavored ones are softer and tend to break off larger chips.

 

[Winniesdad]

Im not sure if these are the best or not by Winnie loves Cow Hoof treats.

 

[Winniesdad]

Here's some other alternatives:

Merrick Pet Foods - Treats

PS I dont work for these guys :biggrin:

 

[Guest]

Both of my dogs go crazy for the Merrick Texas Taffy. They don't get it very often but they are very appreciative when they do!

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

Yeah, rawhide is icky, have never given it to my bull terriers, I did however give them lots of merrick dog bone treats that included moo tubes, tracheas, they are a pretty good dog treat, but very rich, so just a little at a time. But aren't you on a raw diet, and if you are why not give them buffalo ribs. They come in a bag of about 12-14 frozen ribs and they seem they might be perfect for your little ones.

Rawhide is icky... I've only ever given it to my very first yorkie, Jaden. When I first got him I didn't know any better and he adored Pig Ears, it was the only thing that would calm him down if I was leaving him alone to go out somewhere so I'd give him one to chew on....after I'd given him a few, I started wondering if they were healthy or not and started doing my research and that was when I found that article...ever since then I won't give them anything that contains even the smallest amount of rawhide.

I have them on a pre-made raw diet currently (Natures Variety and Primal)
I've never heard of given them buffalo ribs...I'll have to look into that...thanks! :smile:

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

Bully sticks

I do give them bully sticks and they go CRAZY for them! :smile: I am just looking for some other alternatives along with bully sticks.

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

Your dogs are small, but you could go to the butcher and ask for a knuckle bone which I don't know about the size for yours, but if you leave it uncooked (raw) this is a great chew alternative. Also I use kong toys which you can find small ones for smaller dogs and i put them overnight in the freezer with vanilla low fat or non fat plain vanilla yogurt. My dogs love this they think its like ice cream (what they don't know can't hurt them haha) and its good for them. also I know about the peanut butter scare but their are safe peanut butters out there you can either fill it with this and have it soft or I freeze this also and it takes them laonger then to get through it. Which is a nice alternative. also nylabones and nylant type ones are good. And I cant think of the name but they have those ones shaped like dinasaurs near the healthy edible treats, which are another (if your dog likes them) alternative.
The kong toys are great though and the knuckle bones form the buthcer.

I do have kongs for all of them and have filled them with peanutbutter, I've never tried freezing the yogurt though...that's a great idea! A good way for them to get their probiotics in as well. :smile:

 

[PeanutsMommy]

I like Nylabones, but only the original flavor ones. Seems like the flavored ones are softer and tend to break off larger chips.

good suggestion rawfedogs
nylabone big chews work out pretty good for my pitbulls...small slivers missing (which makes it suck to step on) but other then that no real damage. I think you are on to something about the flavor because the big chews are flavorless i beleive.

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

You'll want to be careful with knuckle bones and other weight bearing bones regardless, but especially with dogs as small as yours. I think the Nylabones are a good alternative, along with Kongs. Also, if you switch to prety model raw, they will get some really good chewing in every day as well. You might also look into getting some chicken feet for them to chew on. They're a natural source of glucosamine and my pups love them! Yes, they look disgusting, but that doesn't mean they aren't good for your dogs, and with how tiny your yorkies are, it will probably take them at least a little while to get through the chicken feet.

Good luck!

Chicken feet huh? I suppose that isn't any more disgusting that what a bully stick is made of Thanks for the tip! Where would you buy them? Like the grocery store or would you have to go to a special butcher?

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

I like Nylabones, but only the original flavor ones. Seems like the flavored ones are softer and tend to break off larger chips.

I've tried Nylabones before and maybe I just have avid chewers but the ones for their size, even the original flavors, have ALWAYS broken off even after just a little while of chewing and I am terrified that they are going to swallow it and choke to death, especially after reading about a incidents with peoples pets involving Nylabones so we haven't had any Nylabones around here for a while...:frown: I wish they made one small enough for them that was actually tough enough to not break off into pieces

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

Here's some other alternatives:

Merrick Pet Foods - Treats

PS I dont work for these guys :biggrin:

Thanks! I'll have to look into some of Merricks treats...sounds like they are winners around here :biggrin:

 

[PeanutsMommy]

I've tried Nylabones before and maybe I just have avid chewers but the ones for their size, even the original flavors, have ALWAYS broken off even after just a little while of chewing and I am terrified that they are going to swallow it and choke to death, especially after reading about a incidents with peoples pets involving Nylabones so we haven't had any Nylabones around here for a while...:frown: I wish they made one small enough for them that was actually tough enough to not break off into pieces

have you tried the nylabone galielo bone? i think they make them small enough for tiny dogs. i have heard people on the pitbull forums have great luck with their pitbulls and these bones. i havent tried them myself since the big chews work for my boy and my dads pitbull.

Nylabone Galileo Bone for Dogs - Dog.com

 

[Lovemymunchkins]

have you tried the nylabone galielo bone? i think they make them small enough for tiny dogs. i have heard people on the pitbull forums have great luck with their pitbulls and these bones. i havent tried them myself since the big chews work for my boy and my dads pitbull.

Nylabone Galileo Bone for Dogs - Dog.com

I've not heard of that one...I'll have to check the local pet stores around here and see if any of them carry it...thanks!

 

[PeanutsMommy]

your welcome hope they work out for your little chewers

 

[ChattyCathy]

The nylabones don't work for my dogs either. They chew them to pieces. I went to PetSmart and asked for an alternative and for the life of me I can't remember the name but when I go back there I will check it out because I want more. They look like bones and don't splinter off no matter how long or hard they are chewed and I have CHEWERS. They are still in one piece which is quite amazing to me.

I stopped giving rawhide when I heard and read that they are dangerous for dogs and my own dog vomited up a big chunk of undigested rawhide. Yuck. I'd rather stick to something that isn't treat based either.

What are bully sticks? I never heard of them.