Showing posts with label Chewy's toy box. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chewy's toy box. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Monday, March 10, 2014
Chewy's Toy Box: Elk Antlers
I first heard of antlers as dog chews from our puppy school teacher. Chewy was 5 months old at the time, so she suggested a puppy split elk antler. Antler splits are cut open so the yummy marrow-y center part is exposed- great for beginning antler chewers. The second she offered it to Chewy, he took it in his mouth and would not let it go. He didn't even chew it; he just held it. He walked around the store with it while we finished our shopping. Good thing the barcode sticker was coated in plastic, or it would have been a soggy mess!
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| Chewy's first antler |
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| Sometimes he fell asleep from chewing so much |
Chewy loved his antler, and would chew on it for long periods of time. He also liked to fling it around and chase it. It kept him pretty entertained. Eventually he chewed off all of the marrow and started working on the harder outer shell. Soon his antler got pretty small and I threw it out so it wouldn't be a choking hazard. Chewy was quite bummed...until he forgot about it a minute later.
For his half birthday, I got him a new antler. This time it was a whole piece instead of a split so he would be more challenged. He started at the ends and worked his way in.
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| Crazy eyes going for the munch! |
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| One day's progress | Three weeks' progress |
Since then, Chewy's gone through a few antlers. We also tried a deer antler, but Chewy went through it VERY quickly. He was able to bite off somewhat large pieces and then crunch and eat them, instead of scraping off little bits like he does with elk antlers. Antlers are hard and could potentially break teeth, so crunching on them is not good!
I used to only give Chewy his antler for a few hours a day because otherwise he would chew through it too quickly, but now that he's past the crazy puppy chewing stage, I just leave them out and he chews them when he wants to. Sometimes he will hold two at once and alternate his chewing. He typically props his antler on something so it doesn't slide away while he's chewing, like his bed, a stuffie, or someone's foot. He likes to chew under the table while we eat dinner, so he usually goes for my dad's feet or slippers at the head of the table.
Antler chewing can get a little messy because of the bits that get scraped off, so Chewy isn't allowed to have them on the couch. Sometimes he brings them on the couch when he thinks I'm not looking, and then when I walk towards him, he bolts off. The good news is the antler shavings come right out of his bedding in the washing machine. Also, Chewy seems to be leaving fewer antler shavings now. Maybe because he is past his frenzied puppy chewing stage. Or maybe he has become a neater eater?
Benefits of elk antler chews:
-Contain calcium and phosphorus (and other nutrients) for healthy bones and teeth
-Help clean teeth: The textured surface of the antler scrapes gunk off teeth
-Virtually odorless to people: After chewing, they just smell like dog spit to me
-Do not splinter: No need to worry about splinters piercing internal organs
-Renewable resource: Elk grow and shed their antlers every year
-Come in various shapes and sizes: You can find one to complement your dog's chewing habits, and each antler is completely different so they don't get bored
-Keeps chewers occupied: Expends energy and satisfies their need to chew
Tips for buying elk antler chews:
-The more brown on the outside, the fresher the antler: Antlers that have been lying outside for a long time get bleached by the sun and get chalky
-Splits are great for beginners to get acquainted with antlers: Make sure your dog is whittling away at the antler, not biting it
-Whole antler pieces are more challenging because they have to chew through the outer part to get to the marrow
-Make sure the antler is large enough so it does not present a choking hazard
Antler chewing can get a little messy because of the bits that get scraped off, so Chewy isn't allowed to have them on the couch. Sometimes he brings them on the couch when he thinks I'm not looking, and then when I walk towards him, he bolts off. The good news is the antler shavings come right out of his bedding in the washing machine. Also, Chewy seems to be leaving fewer antler shavings now. Maybe because he is past his frenzied puppy chewing stage. Or maybe he has become a neater eater?
Benefits of elk antler chews:
-Contain calcium and phosphorus (and other nutrients) for healthy bones and teeth
-Help clean teeth: The textured surface of the antler scrapes gunk off teeth
-Virtually odorless to people: After chewing, they just smell like dog spit to me
-Do not splinter: No need to worry about splinters piercing internal organs
-Renewable resource: Elk grow and shed their antlers every year
-Come in various shapes and sizes: You can find one to complement your dog's chewing habits, and each antler is completely different so they don't get bored
-Keeps chewers occupied: Expends energy and satisfies their need to chew
Tips for buying elk antler chews:
-The more brown on the outside, the fresher the antler: Antlers that have been lying outside for a long time get bleached by the sun and get chalky
-Splits are great for beginners to get acquainted with antlers: Make sure your dog is whittling away at the antler, not biting it
-Whole antler pieces are more challenging because they have to chew through the outer part to get to the marrow
-Make sure the antler is large enough so it does not present a choking hazard
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| Excuse me, I'm busy. |
Monday, March 3, 2014
Best Day Ever!
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I always imagine that everything makes Chewy think, "BEST DAY EVER!" For example:
I think it's because he has no idea what's coming 90% of the time. Also, everything is exciting to a Chewy (except baths. And butt thermometers). But I guess if people got awesome surprises all the time, they would be pretty excited, too!
I always imagine that everything makes Chewy think, "BEST DAY EVER!" For example:
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| Got a new toy! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Got another new toy! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Marked the park! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Ate fro-yo from my Kong! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Found a stick! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Rode the car! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Ran across the beach! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Ran across the snow! BEST DAY EVER! |
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| Was presented with an entire chicken! BEST DAY EVER! |
I think it's because he has no idea what's coming 90% of the time. Also, everything is exciting to a Chewy (except baths. And butt thermometers). But I guess if people got awesome surprises all the time, they would be pretty excited, too!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Chewy's Toy Box: West Paw Design Būmi
Chewy's newest toy is the West Paw Būmi. You're supposed to get new clothes for Chinese New Year, but since Chewy doesn't wear clothes, he got a toy instead.
It is advertised as a fetch and tug toy, not a chew toy. It is made of West Paw Design's "Zogoflex" material, which is durable and non-toxic. The company offers a one-time replacement or refund if their toys are damaged, which is nice. We have a couple of other Zogoflex toys and Chewy has not destroyed any of them yet.
Tug is Chewy's favorite game ever, and he has a couple of go-to techniques. He leans back with all of his weight, at which point I can just drag him around because he has no grip on the tile floor. He shakes the toy like he is killing prey, which, depending on the toy, will either jerk my arm around or hit me in the legs really hard. Other times I just run around with Chewy attached to the toy, as if we were using a leash. When he gets tired, he takes a break- he stands there with the toy still in his mouth, while I carry all the weight.
The Būmi is indeed a great toy for playing tug. I win a lot more often with it because Chewy can't get a really good grip on the curvy parts. It stretches out so my hand isn't dangerously close to those chompers, and it absorbs some of the force from Chewy's vigorous shaking.
The Būmi is also good for Chewy to entertain himself. He played with it for hours when I first gave it to him, bringing it around the house to all his favorite chewing spots. Even though the label says specifically that it is not for chewing, he has yet to make a dent in it.
He prances around the house happily with his new toy, and will fetch it and bring it back expecting a game of tug.
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| What is this? |
It is advertised as a fetch and tug toy, not a chew toy. It is made of West Paw Design's "Zogoflex" material, which is durable and non-toxic. The company offers a one-time replacement or refund if their toys are damaged, which is nice. We have a couple of other Zogoflex toys and Chewy has not destroyed any of them yet.
Tug is Chewy's favorite game ever, and he has a couple of go-to techniques. He leans back with all of his weight, at which point I can just drag him around because he has no grip on the tile floor. He shakes the toy like he is killing prey, which, depending on the toy, will either jerk my arm around or hit me in the legs really hard. Other times I just run around with Chewy attached to the toy, as if we were using a leash. When he gets tired, he takes a break- he stands there with the toy still in his mouth, while I carry all the weight.
The Būmi is indeed a great toy for playing tug. I win a lot more often with it because Chewy can't get a really good grip on the curvy parts. It stretches out so my hand isn't dangerously close to those chompers, and it absorbs some of the force from Chewy's vigorous shaking.
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| This is mine! |
The Būmi is also good for Chewy to entertain himself. He played with it for hours when I first gave it to him, bringing it around the house to all his favorite chewing spots. Even though the label says specifically that it is not for chewing, he has yet to make a dent in it.
He prances around the house happily with his new toy, and will fetch it and bring it back expecting a game of tug.
Chewy loves his Būmi!
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