How many times have you caught your dog chewing on the most random things around the house - your rubber slippers, the sofa corner or even the wooden chair you thought was completely out of reach? We bet it's more times than you can even remember, and every pet parent can relate to this. 

If you are a new pet parent, then chances are that you must have had multiple familiar moments of walking into a room, spotting your dog chewing away and wondering to yourself, ‘Why that?!’

The truth is that chewing is completely natural, and in fact a healthy part of being a dog. Puppies tend to chew as they explore the new world, and adult dogs have a habit of chewing to relieve themselves of boredom, stay occupied or simply because they enjoy the activity. 

Why Does My Dog Chew So Much?

Chewing is a natural, instinctive and beneficial behaviour for all dogs alike. Chewing removes plaque, keeps your dog's teeth and gums clean and provides enough mental stimulation to keep your baby out of boredom. It is a fact that some dogs might have a stronger chew drive than others, and this is where things get tricky. 

When your dog or puppy is determined to chew something, it is very important to give them a safe alternative. The choice of alternative is all yours and can make all the difference to your dog. And this is exactly where dog chews come into the picture. 

So before you choose the next chew for your dog, let’s take a closer look at what is actually safe, what you should avoid and which type will suit your furry friend the best. 

How To Choose The Right Dog Chew?

Walk into any pet store, and you will find an entire wall (even multiple walls) dedicated to dog chews only. Take one look at it, and confusion will storm your mind. Rawhides, plastic bones, bully sticks, and bright colourful bags claiming to be ‘all-natural’ chews. Now, one thing to remember here is that just because the label claims it's ‘all-natural’, it doesn’t mean that it is actually natural. At first glance, all of these chews will seem to answer one question: ‘What should my dog chew on?’

The best chew can never be universal for all dogs. Because not all dogs chew the same way. Some dogs are gentle little nibblers, while others will have a chew looking brand new one minute and completely destroyed the next. Puppies, adult dogs and seniors have different needs too.So, when choosing a chew for your dog or puppy, don't just ask, “Will my dog like this?” Ask, “Is this actually right for my dog?” Their age, size, chewing habits and dental health all play a role in finding the right one.

Start With Your Dog

A much better approach to finding the right and best chew for your dog is observing their chewing habits & asking questions to yourself like: 

Does my dog chew quickly or slowly?’

'What is my dog’s attention span like?’
‘Does my dog prefer a hard texture or a soft texture?’
‘Does my dog enjoy chewing or licking or a little bit of both?’

Answers to these questions will help you way better than whatever info is mentioned on the chew’s labels. 

Common Types Of Dog Chews Available & Their Risks

As mentioned before, there are a number of dog chews available in the market. However, some popular options come with risks that aren’t always quite obvious, and these risks are exactly what you need to look out for. 

1. Rawhide: Rawhide is generally a dried animal hide. But the version sold as ‘rawhide dog chews’ in pet stores is usually chemically processed to be given the clean white colour. This chemical process often involves bleaching agents, which can cause significant harm to your dog. Once chewing has started, rawhide chews often turn into a soft, slimy or slick, rubbery texture, which can be bitten off and swallowed by dogs in large pieces. This can cause major choking and blockage risks for your pet.
   
2. Cooked Bones: Many pet parents often turn to cooked bones and consider them as the safest alternative to processed pet products. But this can cause potential hazards to the dog. Cooking turns bones brittle. Instead of wearing down gradually, cooked bones, when chewed upon, break down into splinters and sharp fragments that can injure your dog’s mouth, throat and digestive tract. 

3. Plastic & Nylon Chews: If you have come across plastic and nylon chews in a pet store or online, you must have noticed that these are advertised or marketed as nearly indestructible. Since these are made up of hard materials, they can be tough on your dog’s teeth. When it comes to strong or aggressive chewers, these can be harmful to a dog’s dental health, resulting in potential fractures. Also, plastic and nylon chews are not easily digested once swallowed. 

4. Bully Sticks: As a dog chew, bully sticks are good when it comes to digestibility. But the one con that will make you think twice before choosing this alternative is that they are extremely calorie-dense. Some options can fill up a dog’s daily calorie intake in just one stick. Furthermore, the sourcing quality differs quite a lot between brands, and this affects both safety as well as their processing flow. 

What Actually Makes A Dog Chew A Good & Safe Choice?

As a pet parent, once you know what could go wrong with a dog chew, it becomes all the easier for you to choose a healthy & safe alternative. Look for a chew that: 

1. Has a simple & transparent ingredients list. Avoid ingredients that your dog might be allergic to.

2. Is appropriately digestible. Look for something that gradually softens or wears down instead of breaking into splinters. 

3. Matches your dog’s size. Even a perfectly safe ingredient can become potentially dangerous if the chew is small enough for your dog to swallow as a whole. 

4. Matches your dog’s chewing strength. A gentle nibbler and a powerful chewer should not be given the same type of chew.

Introducing The Natural Alternative: Zazu & Co Yak Chews For Puppies & Dogs

Zazu & Co's natural yak milk chews for puppies and dogs are an alternative worth exploring. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients- traditionally yak and cow milk, along with lime juice and salt- they're hard enough to satisfy serious chewers but digestible enough to avoid the splintering and blockage risks common with rawhide and cooked bones.

Yak milk treats or chews have been made and eaten by humans in the Himalayas for generations, which is part of why the ingredient list stays so simple. Curious what's actually inside a yak chew and why dogs love them so much?

Our yak milk treats and chews are 100% vegetarian with no additives, preservatives, chemicals or fillers. The purrfect chew for you furbaby! They come in three flavours: 

1. Original Yak Chew

2. Blueberry Yak Chew

3. Mango Yak Chew

How To Choose The Right Chew For Your Dog?

As we mentioned before, there is no universal ‘best chew’ out there. Every dog will not prefer the same chew, and this is why you should consider first who your dog is. 

Consider Their Life Stage

1. Puppies: They have smaller mouths and developing teeth which call for appropriately sized, softer options.

2. Adult Dogs: They can handle significantly larger, firmer and long-lasting chews depending on their dental health & chewing style. 

3. Senior Dogs: They may have sensitive or worn-out teeth and gums, which call for softer dog chew options. 

Consider Their Chewing Style

1. Aggressive chewers need appropriately sized durable options that don’t easily splinter or break into swallowable pieces. 

2. Gentle chewers can make do with anything as long as the size of the chew is appropriate. 

And remember: a chew that survives your dog's strongest bite isn't necessarily the safest one. Extremely hard isn't always better. Furthermore, every dog has a flavor preference. One of your dogs might love the blueberry yak chew, but the other one would always go for the original. Always observe their reactions to new chews if you are introducing them. 

Consider Their Size

Always choose a chew that's appropriate for your dog's size and jaw. A chew designed for a large dog may be far too big for a small breed, while a tiny chew can become a swallowing hazard for a larger dog. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's size recommendations.

Your New Pet Parent Chew-Safety Checklist

1. Always make an effort to consistently supervise your dog, especially when you are introducing a new chew to them.

2. Keep an eye on the dog chew for any cracks, sharp edges or large pieces breaking off that could easily be swallowed by them.

3. Instantly take the dog chew away when it becomes too small or small enough for the dog to swallow.

4. Choose the right size as per your dog’s weight and jaw.

5. Introduce new chews gradually, but also look out for any digestive issues.

Ready to Find a Better Chew?

Choosing a dog chew doesn’t have to be a complicated task like rocket science. It is as simple as it can get. You just need to choose the right rize, the right ingredients and the right texture (accompanied by plenty of supervision, of course). If you are ready to replace the traditional mislead dog chews found in pet stores or online, then our yak chews are the perfect natural alternative. 

Explore Zazu & Co’s Original, Blueberry & Mango yak chew and find a flavour your dog will love!

Want to know exactly what goes into our yak chews? [Read our full ingredient breakdown here.]