By Susan Mravca on May 3, 2023
Puppies love to chew, and they don’t just do it for fun. Chewing is also an essential part of their growth and development. By chewing, young dogs strengthen their teeth and other bones and muscles in their jaw. It also helps them relieve stress and provides mental stimulation. Fortunately, many puppy chew treats are now available on the market.
Many of these products are made from all-natural ingredients that are safe and beneficial for puppies. The most popular are bully sticks and steak bones. Pig ears and yak cheese sticks are also high on the list. Let’s talk about these treats and how you can turn a delicious treat into enrichment.
Puppy Bully Sticks
Bully sticks, also known as bull pizzles, are made of dehydrated bull penises, separated into strips, then rolled into a stick-like shape. Because they are made from natural ingredients, bully sticks are tasty, chewy and highly digestible. They also contain essential nutrients such as proteins, minerals and vitamins that help your puppy maintain a healthy body and strong immune system. As such, puppy bully sticks make a great treat.
Most pet owners appreciate that dog bully sticks do not contain any artificial preservatives or colors and are therefore safe for their dogs. They are free from harmful allergens such as soy, corn, wheat and gluten. This makes them ideal for dogs with food allergies. They are also free of chemicals such as sodium nitrite, nitrate, and propylene glycol, which some manufacturers use as preservatives in dog treats.
Bully sticks come in different shapes and sizes to suit your dog’s unique preferences. Whichever bully stick you prefer, you can be sure that your four-legged friend will love it. However, like all treats, it is essential to remember that bully sticks for dogs are not a replacement for their regular diet. So it’s a question of which treats are best and which can be used as enrichment.
Benefits of Bully Staffs
There are several benefits to giving your puppies a bully stick.
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Reduce zooms
Zoomies are a behavior exhibited by dogs when they are excited and full of energy.
Puppies tend to run around the house and jump uncontrollably, which can be annoying for you and potentially dangerous for your other pets. A bully stick will help your pups burn off some excess energy and relax.
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Reward after training
Training your puppy takes a lot of time and effort. You can reward your dog for his hard work by giving him a bully stick at the end of his training session. This type of positive reinforcement will encourage them to continue to behave well.
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Long duration
Bully sticks last a long time, making them ideal snacks for your dogs. Your puppies will be too busy chewing on their bully sticks to harass you. And you’ll get a much-needed break while your pup is busy.
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Fully digestible
Another important advantage of bully sticks is that they contain only natural ingredients and are not harmful to your dog’s health. Bully Sticks are fully digestible, providing your dogs with all the necessary nutrients without making them sick. This will also help stimulate saliva production, which will help keep your dog’s teeth clean and prevent plaque from forming.
Steak bones for puppies
Steak bones are another popular treat for puppies. Like bully sticks, steak bones are also made from natural ingredients. They contain plenty of protein and other essential nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus. Steak bones can help keep your puppy entertained for a long time.
However, there are some downsides to giving your puppy steak bones. For example, raw steak bones can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites that can cause serious health problems in your dog. They should be kept in the freezer until ready to use. They can easily break into small pieces, which could be dangerous if swallowed. Cooked steak bones, on the other hand, can easily break and cause injury to your dog’s mouth, as well as serious problems if swallowed. Cooked bones can also cause digestive problems in dogs and should be avoided at all costs.
If you still decide to give your dog steak bones for his enjoyment, experts recommend raw steak bones over cooked bones. It is also crucial to closely monitor your dog to ensure he is not injured by broken steak bones. This means never giving them one to run free in the yard. You need to watch them when consuming raw steak bones.
So how do you turn a bully stick or raw steak bone into enrichment?
Treatment or enrichment
Working to eat will turn a bully stick or steak bone into enrichment. Think of enrichment not as something extra we provide to our dogs, but as an essential part of their mental health. It reduces behavioral problems and improves the dog’s quality of life. And that sometimes tires them more than a long walk. So simply giving your dog a bully stick or bone is not enrichment. They must work so that this turns into enrichment. How can this be done safely?
A treat holder Raising a bully stick or bone and holding it firmly in place will turn a treat into enrichment. This seemingly simple solution offers many advantages. A treat that is elevated and held firmly poses a challenge to the dog. Dogs will use their brains to try to figure out how to eat and remove the stick or bone. They will be laser-focused on this play. They will shoot, shoot, even knock down if need be. The raised treat also keeps it out of dirt or your carpets. This is an interesting way to allow bully sticks and bones into the house.
And when your puppy is done with his bully stick or steak bone. You can surprise them with a Barking Brunch plush dog toy to snuggle up with for a nap.