The Many Benefits of Chew Toys For Dogs

Monch Monch: Dog Toys for Chewing

Chewing is often thought of as negative dog behavior — especially when it relates to your pooch chewing on your shoes or furniture. However, there are many benefits to chewing for dogs that you may not be aware of, which is where dog toys for chewing come in handy.

The benefits of dog toys for chewing that we’ll go over in detail include:

• improved dental health
• stress and anxiety relief
• gum relief for teething puppies
• reduced destructive chewing
• provides a positive outlet for mental stimulation

How can you keep your possessions safe but also allow your dog to reap all the benefits of chewing? The key is re-directing that behavior to chew toys for dogs.

Below is some insight as to why your dog chews and some of our favorite dog chew toys for your pup to try out.

Benefits of Chewing

We believe that every home should have chew toys for their dogs. Here’s why:

Chew toys may be safer for your dog than dog bones.

Despite common associations made with dogs and bones, bones can be dangerous for dogs. They are a choking hazard and can harm your dog’s mouth as well as cause broken teeth, digestion issues, and blockages. Cooked bones and rawhide are especially unsafe. We recommend heavy-duty, durable rubber, non-consumable, chew toys to safely satisfy your pup’s instinct to chew.

Chew toys promote dental health.

Chewing can help clean your dog’s teeth and gums — like Arm & Hammer, but for your dog’s mouth. The act of chewing helps smooth the teeth and scrapes away at tartar. It also promotes antibacterial saliva that cleanses your dog’s mouth. You may also notice your dog’s breath improving from dental chews! Just remember that chews can never replace a bristle brush. Always brush your dog’s teeth and supplement their dental health with chews.

Chew toys can relieve dogs of stress and anxiety.

Just like yoga or meditation may be calming for humans, chewing can be a zen activity for dogs. When anxious, dogs tend to chew in an effort to ease those feelings. If your pup gets stressed at the sound of fireworks and storms or suffers from separation anxiety, try giving them a chew toy during those times to help keep them calm and happy.

Dog chew toys help with teething puppies.

A puppy chew toy is a must for your new furbaby! Chewing can help ease the pain that puppies are experiencing while they are teething. If your pup’s gums seem extra tender, dog owners can try putting a chew toy in the freezer before giving it to your pup for an added soothing effect. Chewing also promotes teeth growth so your puppy can develop healthy and strong adult doggie teeth.

Dog toys for chewing provide mental stimulation.

Just like dogs need physical exercise, they also need mental stimulation. Chewing is a really exciting activity for dogs and requires a lot of their focus. Chew toys and interactive dog toys are great ways to build your dog’s brainpower!

Durable dog toys help prevent destructive chewing.

As you now know, dogs LOVE and NEED to chew. However, you don’t want your leather shoes or fancy furniture to be the victim of your dog’s natural chewing instincts. Chew toys are a great way to prevent destructive chewing. If you can redirect them to toys meant to be chewed on, they can reap all of the above benefits without damaging any of your shoes!

Chew toys keep your pup occupied.

Chew toys are a great way for your dog to get some solo play in when they don’t have a tug-of-war partner. While they are busy gnawing on chew toys you can get some work done or eat dinner without being interrupted.

Things to consider when buying your dog a chew toy

It is important to make sure you are choosing an appropriate and safe chew toy for your dog whether they are a large dog or a small dog. Be aware of your dog’s chewing habits, strength, and what size and durability level of toy works best for them.

Keep an eye out for signs that the toy may be dangerous or need replacing. And when it comes to playtime with a chewy toy, you should also always remember the 10 Chew Commandments.

Our Favorite Chew Toys for Dogs

Below are some of the best chew toys for dogs from Outward Hound. We would recommend giving one of these classic dog toys a try to satisfy your pup’s inherent need to chew while boosting their dental and mental health.

Liver Branch

The Liver Branch chew toy is a great way to curb your dog’s destructive chewing habits. This toy is immediately attractive to dogs due to its dog-approved liver scent. Made of durable nylon, it will stand up to a strong level chewer. The Liver Branch is available in three sizes, small, medium, and large so that you can find the right size for your pup.

Peanut Stuffer

The Peanut Stuffer is a durable nylon chew toy with a yummy (allergen-free) peanut butter scent. We love it because it has a channel in the middle of it that can be filled with peanut butter or dog treats!

This is a great toy to use to occupy your dog because once they get out all of the treats they can continue to chew on the toy. This toy will enhance your pup’s brainpower and prolong their chew time!

Petstages Dogwood Calming 2-Pack

If your pup suffers from anxiety you should give the Dogwood Calming 2 Pack a try! This comes with two toys that are naturally calming for dogs that like to chew. One stick is made with real hemp while the other is made with the original real wood flavor that dogs love. Great for multipet households, Plus, it’s safer than toys that aren’t for chewing like rope toys or tennis balls.

Dogwood Breath 2-Pack

The Dogwood Breath 2 Pack is a great set of chew toys made in the USA that promote dental health. Chewing on the dogwood helps to remove tartar and massage dog’s gums. Both sticks are made with the texture and flavor of real wood that dogs love. BONUS: This pack includes one stick that is mint-scented to help freshen your pups’ breath.

Flip & Chew

Dog’s love the unique shape of the Dogwood Flip & Chew toy because it is easy to grip and encourages their focus on chewing. This toy satisfies as much as it occupies your pup! The variety of ridges and textures on this toy help to clean teeth and massage gums as your dog chews. Your pooch will love the rocking movement that this toy has.

Dogwood Mesquite

The Dogwood Mesquite is a great version of that traditional chew time favorite Dogwood Stick. Some chews come in bacon flavor, chicken flavor, but your pup will go crazy for this savory BBQ scent. The flavor will really help to redirect any destructive chewing habits. Plus this toy doesn’t split or splinter like real sticks and bones do!

Wishbone

The Benebone Wishbone chew toy is another fun shaped chew for dogs. It is easy to grip and carry. These chew toys are made of durable nylon combined with 100% real ingredients like bacon, chicken, and peanut butter. This is also available in three sizes so you can find the size and flavor combination that your dog loves the most!

For Power Chewers

The Nylabone Dura-Chew Power Chew toy, antlers, or rubber chew toys like the Kong classic or Kong Extreme dog toy, will keep your powerful chewer busy! These chew toys are awesome for all of the aggressive chewers from large breeds to small breeds.

Chews to Chew!

We hope you like some of our suggestions for the best dog toys for chewing. Dogs need to chew for overall dental health. You’ll want to provide them with the toughest toys out there!

For more dog toys for chewing, puppy toys, squeaky toys, plush toys, and more, check out our website, Amazon store, or your local pet supplies store.