We have all seen dogs chew, whether it’s on your shoes or a stick they found at the park. At times, you may find it upsetting or plain silly. But did you know that the seemingly trivial act of chewing is actually beneficial for dogs? Given the right outlets to do so, it can improve your dog’s well-being.
In this post, we will share four benefits of this natural behaviour and things to watch out for to ensure safety and hygiene.
Four benefits dogs enjoy from chewing
1. Chewing improves dogs’ mental wellness
Chewing is as much an emotional need as it is a physical need for dogs. The process of chewing is self-soothing and almost euphoric for dogs that instinctively know or have learned how to do it.
Studies have found that chewing releases endorphins (happy hormones) in a dog’s brain, which helps your dog relieve anxiety and stress.
2. Chewing stimulates dogs mentally and physically
It is quite common to see dogs utterly exhausted after a chew session. That's because chewing is a demanding activity for your dog, requiring both mental and physical focus.
Best of all, it's an enrichment activity they can engage with on their own, giving you time to focus on your work or an alternative option to keep them occupied on a rainy day.
3. Chewing appropriate items directs dogs away from destructive behaviours
What happens when your dog is satisfied? They get into less trouble! While chewing has been a completely natural and beneficial activity for dogs for thousands of years, there are many things we don't want them chewing on in our homes.
Providing your dog with appropriate chews directs them from chewing your belongings. In time, they will learn to differentiate between what’s chewable and what’s not.
4. Chewing cleans dog teeth
With the right chew treat coming into physical contact with your dog's teeth, plaque, and even occasionally, tartar (the hardened yellow substance you see on both human and dog teeth), can be scraped off teeth. That being said, it does require the right chew texture and a good amount of chew time for this to take effect.
Also, chewing increases saliva production. Dog saliva is alkaline (pH 7.5-8.0), which helps to neutralise cavity-causing acids produced by bacteria, while also washing away food particles in the mouth, preventing plaque from forming in the first place.
Tips for a great chewing experience
Convinced about the benefits of chewing? Before you head off to stock up on chew treats, here are some tips to help you and your dog embark on a smoother chew journey.
1. Safety first
When swallowed, chews can cause choking and/or obstruction of the digestive tract. Also, chews that are too hard may damage your dog’s teeth.
Choose fully digestible chews that do not contain any bones that are sharp or may splinter. Cooked bones are a no-no. Pick meaty, non-weight-bearing bones or sinews that are the right size for your dog.
Always supervise your dog during chew time and remove the chew when it gets small enough to become a choking hazard, especially if you've got an enthusiast. However, don’t just snatch the last bit from them (this may lead to resource guarding). Offer a trade that works for your dog, such as a treat, a toy, or a walk!
You can also get chew holders that help prevent your dog from swallowing the last bit of the chew. More on that at the end of the post.
2. Choose chews that last
If your dog is chewing for less than a couple of minutes before swallowing the 'chew' whole, they are unlikely to enjoy the benefits mentioned earlier. Dog chews can also take a toll on your wallet, so make sure they deliver on their promised benefits before they disappear down your dog's belly!
3. Don’t forget hygiene
Natural chews are delicious, long-lasting, and often healthy for our dogs. However, saliva and paws that come into contact with chews can spread bacteria around the home. This can cause health problems for the household, especially if you have more vulnerable family members like the young or old.
Some dogs even carry chews all around the home, or 'bury' them under sheets for later enjoyment. Do what you can to contain the mess to make for an easier clean afterwards.
Conclusion
While chewing presents many amazing benefits for our dogs, it can be an unpleasant experience if we have a dog that swallows and chokes on chews or makes a huge mess.
That is why we designed CHEWDEN to help ensure your dog’s safety and keep your home clean. The CHEWDEN range includes a grip that secures chews, withstanding up to 13kg of force, and a base that enables them to chew paw-free, collects any crumbs or mess, and keeps them in one area where you can supervise them. Check it out at Lunoji or Vanillapup!
Written by Adrian Lim
Adrian is the founder of Lunoji. Using his skills as a former management consultant in digital innovation, Adrian has set out to create innovative products that help owners better care for their dogs.
