Alternative to rawhide

Doug loves rawhide chews but I've just been educated on what they are actually made from and I'm a little shocked at their chemical content

He does not like his Stagbar, I've tried EVERYTHING you have all recommended with no luck - so is there anything else he can have that lasts like a rawhide (over an hour) and that is safe to eat?

Hmmmm.

How about an occasional raw bone? Supervised, of course.

What about those bones you buy for dogs that are hollow and filled with stuff, sorry thats very vague but for the life of me can't think what they are called!

Both fantastic ideas above and yes, rawhide is vile! Nylabones are great for having a chew on too if you haven't tried them yet.

definitely try raw bones

I have just treated Densil to one of these from eco dog.

http://www.ecodogcompany.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/natural-dog-treats/dental-chews-for-dogs/rawhide-dental-roll-detail?Itemid=0

You also try a Nylabone, try Amazon they have loads. Something like this should be fine:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nylabone-Durables-Chicken-Impregnated-Flavour/dp/B002C7AAZO/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1370976120&sr=1-5&keywords=Nylabone

what about a anco root ?? similar idea to stagbar but different , I discovered them a few weeks ago on another site and I know at least 1 member has tried with good results

http://www.ecodogcompany.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/natural-dog-treats/dental-chews-for-dogs/anco-roots-detail?Itemid=0

PAH are selling some "alternative to rawhide" chews, they are chicken or beef rolled around with some vegetable stuff. Kuchar loves them and they keep him occupied for quite a while. by which time they are all eaten up.

Sorry I can't remember the name of them, they were on a separate display near the door, so they must be promoting them. They're expensive though, £7 for 3 as I remember, which is why I'm not buying them any more. When I win the Lotto he'll be getting some more!

Raw bones are a good idea. The hollow bones with filling are generally boiled, so I wouldn't give them to a dog.

Also not a fan of nylabones. Although their design says that the bits that come off are only rice-sized, they can be larger and sharper with power chewers and can present a choking hazard.

I'd personally never give a dog rawhide either, as it can swell up in the digestive tract (anywhere from the throat to the intestines) and cause a blockage. Some companies also use harmful substances to remove the hair from hide, before it's prepared into dog chews.

Stag bars are good, but I know that's no help if your dog doesn't like them. As Dave suggested, Anco roots are good. Good for teeth, natural, durable, doesn't splinter and a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Pizzles!! Floyd will sell his soul for one. They stink and look grotesque but are untreated and better than rawhide.

Pink_Floyd wrote:Pizzles!! Floyd will sell his soul for one. They stink and look grotesque but are untreated and better than rawhide.

What's a pizzle?!

Considering Doug was a stray in a past life he's awfully fussy!  

I've brought him a nylabone, he discarded after about 5 mins and never touched again - a friends weimaraner adopted it. He's had those boiled bones from PAH with the food in the middle, he gets so far down both ends then gives up as it's clearly to much effort to eat the middle part! I soaked his Stagbar in a unusual mixture of peanut butter and marmite tea last night - 3 of his favourite things and so far today he's just sniffed it and pushed it away!

I've spoken to the local butcher and he can give me a cows bone of some description next wednesday something to do with H&S reasons and I'll order him an anco root as they look good!

Thanks everyone for being helpful as usual

KarlyandDoug wrote:

Pink_Floyd wrote:Pizzles!! Floyd will sell his soul for one. They stink and look grotesque but are untreated and better than rawhide.

What's a pizzle?!

Considering Doug was a stray in a past life he's awfully fussy!  

I've brought him a nylabone, he discarded after about 5 mins and never touched again - a friends weimaraner adopted it. He's had those boiled bones from PAH with the food in the middle, he gets so far down both ends then gives up as it's clearly to much effort to eat the middle part! I soaked his Stagbar in a unusual mixture of peanut butter and marmite tea last night - 3 of his favourite things and so far today he's just sniffed it and pushed it away!

I've spoken to the local butcher and he can give me a cows bone of some description next wednesday something to do with H&S reasons and I'll order him an anco root as they look good!

Thanks everyone for being helpful as usual

A pizzle is a bull's penis.

I wouldn't recommend boiled bones. Heat-treated bones become brittle and can be very dangerous for dogs, due to splintering.

Oh I've heard of them when I was in America but they were called Bully Sticks didn't realise you could get them here aswell! I'll have a look out I've heard they are like catnip for dogs

The boiled bones have been taken away as he only eats the food stuffed in the ends never the actual bone and then ignores them.

Yeah, they're the same thing.  

Fair enough.

Bully sticks or bull pizzles our Milo loves them. They stink but are ment to be a lot better than raw hide. They come in different sizes. Try pet shops or online