Rawhide chew alternatives

[SausageSimon]

I'm struggling to find a real alternative to raw hide bones, my dog growing up always had these and we never had a problem.

But apparently they're dangerous due to choking etc

However, I've tried some rawhide alternatives and we haven't found a better option yet!

We've tried the type called smart bones, supposedly healthy but my dog eats them within 2 minutes where a rawhide bone keeps her chewing happily for long times.
They're also a bloody fortune! I wouldn't mind if they lasted but she chomps through in no time

I also tried an antler type thing and my dog wouldn't touch the thing, also a bloody fortune

Has anyone found a decent alternative their dog can enjoy for a good amount of time?

We use the following:

Stuffed kongs
Pizzle sticks
Yakkers chews
Antlers
Buffalo horns
Stuffed hooves
Stuffed trachea

I would never ever touch rawhide again. Mine had it once as a puppy when a well-meaning relative bought it for him and he nearly died choking on it.

I buy the smoked bones, or the bones with stuffing in. With those I scrape the stuffing out as it's just crap but then I'll smear a bit of liver paste or marmite deep inside the hollow and it keeps them busy for ages.
Also stuff their kong with some of their food that I've mushed up with hot water then frozen.

I'm sure I read somewhere that you shouldn't give cooked or smoked bones as they splinter?

I do the stuffed kongs too but no chewing goes on! She just licks the inside of it mostly

I've heard pizzle sticks aren't good for them too and the cooked/smoked bones!

Choking isn't much of a worry with the rawhide for me because I buy oversized bones which I find stops her eating big chunks. I found with the small knotted ones big pieces came off so stopped getting those! What worries me more is any chemicals used in making them and what it could do to her insides

It was a large one that ours choked on - if I hadn't been sat next to him at the time he would have choked to death. It was stuck in his windpipe and there's no way he'd have got it out without my help.

I used fallow antlers when mine was teething.

I'm getting a second puppy soon and not at all sure what I'll use!

The antlers apparently crack teeth.
Rawhide indigestible and toxic
Rope toy threads can tangle in the intestines.
Nylabones and the like are plastic and some inevitably will be swallowed.
Big raw bones can crack teeth apparently
DHs dog almost died after having a roasted bone so those are out
I know that stuffed hooves can splinter
Pigs ears I'm told can cause pancreatitis

Do you have a butchers nearby? Our local ones happily sell me real bones. Sheep or cattle bones are best unless you have a very small dog. Actual bones are perfectly safe to feed as long as they arent cooked and you avoid weight bearing bones from cattle (are very very hard and can damage teeth). A good shoulder bone with some meat still on keeps by dogs chewing for hours.

My dog won’t touch real bones , he has antlers ( not keen) , yak chews ( they stink) but his favourite is braided ostrich tendon , although he does get through them in about 20 minutes .

Have you tried one with alot of meat still on it? Mine arent into nice clean bones but one with meat on and they're happy to spend an hour chewing every bit of meat off it

I nearlyy lost an oldie due to a rawhide chew so avoid at all costs now.

I have a very, very chewy dog (think holes in the walls chewy) and he loves his Nylabone chew. It is quite large and very safe plus it lasts him forever. He makes barely an impression on it. I buy a similar one to this below:

www.amazon.co.uk/Nylabone-Dura-Bacon-Chew-X-Large/dp/B000GQ80TQ/ref=asc_df_B000GQ80TQ/?hvlocphy=1006790&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309874391962&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-353353129099&hvrand=724706429368195845

My dog loves Good Boy chewy braids (large are the best) - they last ages and wear him out. Perfect for rainy days when he’s not going out for long walks.
www.purelypetsupplies.com/product/good-boy-pawsley-co-large-chewy-braid-beef-20cm/

Those braids are just flavoured rawhide @puppymonkey - really not safe for dogs unfortunately.

Dying to know what @LimeJellyHead said to get deleted

My boy gets beef head slices with hair on and off that keep him going for hours. Also turkey feet and other natural treats are great and long lasting.

Oh sorry I didn’t know those braid ones were rawhide based - I never have my glasses with me shopping.

I hope the deleted message wasn’t slagging me off.

I thought the same about me @PuppyMonkey

Natural dog treats here
www.bellaandduke.com/product/pizzles-natural-dog-treats/

My dogs get deer antlers - they are expensive but they last ages and they only use them when they want to clean their teeth rather than because they are hungry so their teeth get less wear overall. They are safer as they are actually hair and fibrous so shards don't break off.

You can buy dried salmon skin. My dog doesn't like fish so they didn't work for us, and they also shed scales around the place and smell fishy, but it could still be an option if your dog tends to chew outside or on a hard floor that can be wiped afterwards.

My dogs get deer antlers - they are expensive but they last ages and they only use them when they want to clean their teeth rather than because they are hungry so their teeth get less wear overall. They are safer as they are actually hair and fibrous so shards don't break off

Antlers are definately not hair/keratin, they are bone!

I used to give antlers to my dog when she was teething and shards/small bits absolutely can crumble off them too.

I buy fish skin for mine

I saw sorbitol one the ingredient list on packet of fish skins. Isn't that a potent laxative?

With the slightly meaty bones how long do you let them have it for and then what do you do with it? I have given mine a couple (he is only a puppy and we haven’t had a dog before so I’m inexperienced in these things!) I let him have it for an hour or so then put it back in the fridge and then I threw it away after the second time he had it as was worried it would get all germy. I wasn’t sure how long they are safe for.

Our pet shop sells these bone shaped things that come in various meat flavours or a dental flavour which mine loves. They are £2.50 each I think but last him ages gnawing away. Only tiny bits crumble off and I’m sure they must be great for cleaning his teeth. They have no name on them though so can’t say what they’re called, sorry!

These are the chews, they come in lots of different flavours:
m.pets-pantry.com/antos-meaty-bones-chicken?keyword=Chew%20bones