Cow Hooves

[bindiroo]

I know Bones are a no no. I read dental "bones" can cause blockage due to slow digestion. But I have a real chewer, She mows through a chew toy in minutes. Are Hooves Ok? I need something to keep her from chewing my furniture.

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

TWO Thumbs up for Dr. Mathis comments!!  

Outstanding advice.  I also do not like rawhides unless they are HUGE and even then you have to match to the aggressiveness of chewing and size of dog.  Hooves are similar as they are hard biological material and "look" indestructible, when they are softened by saliva and chewing can easily lodge in the dogs GI track and cause problems.  

Kongs are the best.  If you use very big and very hard compressed rawhide - only use with supervision!!  

[Jennifer Mathis, D.V.M.]

Bones are a no no, also because they often cause tooth fractures.  Try a Kong toy as they are less destructible.  Use a blue one in case it is destroyed, as it can be seen on an xray unlike other toys.  Hooves can cause indigestion just as easily.  When selecting chewing items, I recommend ones that are completely digestible such as CET Veggie Dents.  Greenies have improved their digestion, as well.  Please avoid Nylabones as they can chip teeth just as easily.  Busy Buddy brand products are helpful as well.  I still prefer  Kongs and often stuff them with softened dog food, low cal biscuits, peanut butter, and some of my yogurt and freeze them.  Frozen they provide hours of fun and chewing and flavor to get out the insides with little to no mess.  I usually stuff and freeze two so that when I get home I have one ready to go and the other can then be washed in the dishwasher.

For the next 4 months at least -- you'll be going through the chewing stage.  I often recommend having a toy chest if you have more than two toys for her.  All are put away and only two are out at a time.  So those only one or two "favorites" are appropriate toys, so that when working with her - not everything is viewed as a toy, but only the actual toys - ie chair legs are not chew toys.  If furniture seems to be the favored toy, place mint toothpaste or tabasco sauce on the legs as a deterrent. Be there to watch when playing and use crate training when you are not able to be there.  Distract and redirect when an inappropriate action is done.  If she's chewing on the chair leg, grab a shake can to make a loud noise - ie distract.  She'll wonder what that is and then place an appropriate chew item in front of her - ie redirect.  A shake can can be made from an empty soda can with dried beans or pennies inside and taped closed.  Makes a loud noise without fear or pain to make her wonder "what's that?" and forget about what she was doing and go onto the appropriate behavior  you provide.

Hope this helps.