We sure love him, so of course, Nana here had to hunt for a dental dog chew toy that was good for his teeth, health, and breath and that couldn't be destroyed.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
A Durable Dental Dog Chew Toy - Recommended
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Are Rope Tug Toys Good For a Dog's Teeth?
Jacey shows off her healthy teeth and beautiful smile. |
It's sad when a young family member has problems with their teeth, even when that family member happens to be a beloved family pet. Case in point, as our gorgeous grandpup Adrian has aged (she's nine now) she's developed major problems with her teeth. Despite consuming treats meant to clean teeth, she's had an abscessed tooth and even had to have a few teeth pulled. These days she's scheduled for frequent doggy-dental checkups and cleanings to monitor her dental health.
Enter Jacey. She's our youngest grandpup, a gentle giant at 11 months, 120-plus pounds and still growing. Jacey has perfect teeth, beautiful and white with a pretty smile that matches her easy-going, happy disposition. And while Jacey is much younger than Adrian, our grandpups' mommy (daughter-in-law Mandy) insists that what has kept Jacey's teeth so white and healthy, and what she expects to keep those teeth healthy throughout Jacey's life, is her knotted-rope tug toys. These toys have always been her favorite, toys that she carries around with her and chews on frequently. Mandy believes that it's the flossing action of the rope as it's chewed that has kept Jacey's teeth so white, clean, and healthy.
Adrian, with her summer haircut, and Jacey, hanging out on the deck. |
Growing up, Adrian never really played with a rope tug toy (or a "tug flosser," as Mandy calls it). If Adrian had played with a tug flosser, would she be having the dental problems that she has now? Mandy believes that she would not and wishes after every expensive vet visit (doggy dental care isn't cheap) that Adrian had been raised playing with a rope tug toy, too, like her sister Jacey.
The makers of this Nylabone DuraToy Dental Knot rope tug toy recommend their toy specifically for your dog's dental health. While it's the design of the Nylabone that is made to clean a dog's teeth, the rope also serves as a flosser. It's even flavored with mint! Brush and floss daily. Good advice even for our pets.
Have a puppy or a tiny breed? This little Kong Goodie Bone with rope would be an excellent product to try with your little dog. It's a great introduction to tugging as a game and a very good way to get your dog started with its own tug flosser in order to keep its teeth nice and clean. (Note that many people prefer the Kong brand because their products are made in the United States.)
There are many other rope tug toys or chew toys to choose from. Check out ValuePet's selection of dog rope toys. If you prefer just a rope tug toy that doesn't include a rubber or nylon chew toy with it, you might be able to find one for your dog at your local Walmart store. Or choose from Walmart's online selection of dog rope toys. Be sure to choose a toy in the size that best fits the dog. If she's a puppy, replace her small rope toy with a bigger one as she grows.
Are Rope Toys Safe for Dogs?
That's a good question, one that's important to address. The answer involves parental discretion and knowing your dog and its habits. While most of the time dogs do just fine with rope tug toys, I have read cases of dogs pulling out the thin strings that make up a rope, swallowing those strings, and facing serious issues within their digestive tracts as a result. Some have needed surgery; others have suffered even worse consequences. That's why, in our household, we don't use rope toys for our dog, Daisy. She loves to use her teeth to pull toys apart (especially if there's a squeaker involved) and is more likely than not to swallow the pieces. So we use extreme discretion when it comes to her toys. However, that's just Daisy and none of the dogs we've had in the past have had the issue of eating their toys.
I definitely plan on trying a rope tug toy for any dog that comes into our lives in the future, but I would only allow the dog, especially if it's a puppy, to chew on any new toy under strict supervision. That's advice I would recommend to any pet owner. Learn your dog's habits and choose toys accordingly.
Will your dogs have healthier teeth if they regularly play with rope tug toys? Probably. No one can guarantee it, but Mandy assures us that this method has worked for them and I believe it. It definitely could work for your dog, too.
~ Susan
Read more of my reviews here.
(Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article.)
Jacey says, "Give your dogs rope tug toys to help maintain their healthy smiles!" |
Posted by Susan Deppner
About the Author
Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Monday, December 14, 2015
The Best Way to Bring Home a Dog for Christmas!
A new furry friend is NOT a great gift at a time when everyone's attention is more focused on the "big picture". Little puppies get lost in the confusion and hullabaloo that is happening during the melee of opening presents.
They are new to this whole world of ours and bringing them into the middle of it during the holidays is really unfair to a little bundle of fur that just wants to be loved, cuddled, kept safe and gently explore it's new home and new family.
If, after all the warnings not to, you are determined to bring a puppy or kitten as a gift, there is a way to do it that will keep everyone happy and excited, without being a major trauma to the animal involved in your choice.
Presumably, the kids have all mentioned that they wanted a pet to begin with. To that end, if a new puppy or kitten is on the way to your family, start by preparing your family first for the newest member.
Along with some toys for the kids (a stuffed dog or cat), make sure there are books for each one of them, about caring and training a pet.
Buy them dog/cat dishes, dog/cat toys, dog/cat treats, a bag of good quality puppy or kitten food.
Wrap a flattened dog crate, or kitty carrier and address it to one of the kids. A leash, harness, and tags would be another great gift.
A Puppy Starter Kit would be a nice bundle to give to the whole family!
And then when everyone is wondering what the heck it all means, take the video you made, when you visited the Dog/Cat Breeder and show them the newest member of their family. Give each of the kids a "ticket" to ride in the car on the day after New Years or later, to go and collect their new furry friend. Make arrangements with the Breeder ahead of time, to give the children a lesson or two about caring for their new pet. Most reputable breeders will be more than happy to help along, because they want their puppies to be happy and well adjusted as well. When I got my dog, the breeder was more than happy to give the puppy a bath, show me how to care for his coat and let me help to dry him and brush him. She was pleased that I was interested in his well being before I even got him home. She had valuable experience with puppies and could help me make his transition to my home much smoother. Having a puppy is like having a baby, there are all kinds of things to learn.
By that time, hopefully most of the Christmas things will have been put away and the new fur baby will have a safe place to call his new home. Tinsel and cookies and candy lying around with a new puppy, could spell disaster. So it's better to wait. Not only will those dangers be gone, but, the children, having settled in with their new toys, will find time for the newest member of the family too!
This little video (click on the link) will help you understand a little more about:
Remember, that while getting an animal for Christmas (or later) is wonderful, they are a commitment for years to come, not just over the holidays. This is a living and breathing being that requires love, companionship, exercise and food. He is like a new member of the family and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect.
Do it right and your family will have Christmas memories to last a lifetime and a dog or cat, that will fill each year with happiness and joy.......
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