What's a healthy treat?

[Peegee]

I've always left my 7month old with a hide chew (usually Great and Small brand) to keep her busy when we go out, plus sometimes a filled Kong. However I've just found out that these hide chews may be both dangerous as a choking risk and not very healthy for her. Also given her dried pigs ears. Does anyone know if this is correct and if so can anyone suggest what I could give her.

 

[gypsysmum2]

We are very lucky in our area to have a pet shop run by a family that care about dog health. They do not stock unhealthy food or treats. They do not stock brown rawhide chews but do stock the white ones. I presume that these are sterilised? I must ask next time I am in there.

Of course a stuffed Kong is as healthy as you like to make it. They can be frozen to make them last longer.

 

[JoanneF]

Beef scalp is popular, as are trachea but tbh I haven't used them so don't know how long they last. I use pizzle and until this week I would have said that they are great but there is a risk of choking on anything when it is chewed down to the last few inches. But this week I saw full length pizzles that were - honestly - three feet long! So even cutting them in half or thirds would keep a dog busy for ages, depending on the dog size. Unfortunately (not for me that is ...) I am in Spain right now so I have no idea where you might get them at home but if you research I am sure you could find them. Please let us know if you do, the full length ones are far cheaper inch by inch and Mr F has a saw ...

 

[Peegee]

Thank you both for your replies. I've never heard of pizzles but love the word! I will investigate further. My local pet store (chain) stocks various animal parts, eg: pigs ears, chicken feet and other bits and pieces. Would I be right in assuming these would be healthy?

Sorry to hear that you are missing the drizzle and grey sky I have at the moment JoanneF!

 

[Cash_Dolly]

Pizzles are the male part haha! Mine love a pizzle but never seen them particularly large.....we have a daycar/shop near us that sells a wonderful assortment of treats - chicken feet, dried fish, pizzles, dried liver, all sorts!

I don't have kongs for mine but I do have balls which you can fill. because my circumstances changed and the dogs are now left on their on their own for a few hours in the Mornings, I only give them half their breakfast and put the other half into there balls to keep them occupied when they are out and this seems to keep them happy.

 

[Juliatee]

Tripe sticks! Also I have a large green plastic dish with large knobles sticking up from it! If I am going out for any length of time I put dog meat, yoghurt, anything you can think of between these knob less and keeps her busy for awhile. The idea is that it resembles eating from a bony carcass. For the life of me I can't remember what it is called but you would probably find it under interactive pet toys on Google.

Juliatee

 

[JoanneF]

I am going to buy one of these pizzles just so I can take a photo of it!

 

[excuseme]

I would love to know where to get the full length "pizzles", my lot love them but they are too expensive when buying for 5 to 6 dogs.

We will have to put up with the many raw bones that we get from our butcher each week.

If you find a uk supplier who sells the 3ft ones please let us know.

 

[JoanneF]

I'm in Spain at the moment and I didn't even know they existed until I saw them here. I will get one and post a photo. And the cost. I'll ask the pet shop owner where he gets them too.

 

[Embers]

I have to be careful with what my Husky eats due to sensitive and intolerant digestive system so finding healthy treats has been a challenge. What I came across recently is dried sweet potato which can be cut into small pieces or given as a larger chew. Good for teeth as well as keeping happy. I have also put mashed sweet potato into a Kong and frozen. Sprats (dried) are also healthy....just very smelly!

 

[JoanneF]

Forgot to reply earlier but here you go with the 31 inch puzzle - apparently they are being sold at Crufts, an acquaintance is finding out details for me!

Also they were just over 6 euros so a lot cheaper!