Dog chews are a great way to keep your pup busy and entertain them with a tasty treat. However, some homemade chews don’t last very long before your dog chews them up and finishes them. When making homemade chews, there are several tricks you can use to make them last longer and provide more chewing time for your dog.
Choose Appropriate Chew Ingredients
The ingredients you choose for your homemade dog chews will impact how long they last. Some ingredients are harder and take dogs longer to chew through. Consider using:
- Rawhide or pig ears – These tough chews can last for weeks.
- Frozen carrots or apples – The frozen texture makes them last longer than fresh.
- Beef bones – Look for weight-bearing bones like femurs which are very hard.
- Bully sticks – These dried bull penises can occupy dogs for hours.
- Tough meats – Beef, venison, bison, etc. rather than softer meats like chicken.
Avoid ingredients that are soft or crumble easily. These will be consumed rapidly by an eager dog. Steer clear of cubed steak, fish filets, cheese slices, or other soft foods if you want the chew to last.
Size Matters
The size of the chew impacts how quickly your dog will consume it. A large chew will occupy them for much longer than a petite one.
| Chew Size | Chewing Time |
|---|---|
| Small chew | 15-30 minutes |
| Medium chew | 30-60 minutes |
| Large chew | 60+ minutes |
Get the biggest chews your dog can handle. Monitor their chewing and take away pieces that get too small to prevent choking. Give smaller chews for short distraction, but go big when you want to keep your dog busy for hours.
Consider Freezing
Freezing homemade chews makes them last significantly longer. The cold texture is harder to bite through and the frozen center takes dogs much longer to consume. This cooling effect keeps dogs engaged and distracted trying to get to the inside of the chew.
Almost any chew ingredient can be frozen for longer lasting fun. Try freezing:
- Stuffed Kongs
- Treat-filled bones
- Wetted rawhide knots
- Apple slices
- Carrot sticks
- PB stuffed Nylabones
Take chews out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before giving them to avoid hurting your dog’s teeth. Supervise your dog with any frozen chews as small pieces can break off and pose a choking risk as they thaw.
Get Durable Chew Toys
High quality durable chew toys are designed to stand up to chewing for extended periods. Brands like Goughnuts, West Paw, and Kong specialize in nearly-indestructible chews.
Look for the following features in sturdy chew toys:
- Thick natural rubber construction
- Reinforced seems
- Varied chewing surfaces
- Erratic bounce
Avoid cheap plastic chews which can chip or pieces off easily. With super tough chew toys, dogs will gnaw for hours trying to make a dent in them with little success. This buys you more chewing time.
Best Nearly Indestructible Dog Chews
| Product | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Kong Extreme | Thick natural rubber; Stuffable |
| Goughnuts Ring | Durable rubber; Teeth cleaning edges |
| West Paw Zogoflex | 100% guaranteed; Freezable; Floats |
| Nylabone Power Chew | Nylon bristles clean teeth; Textured surface |
Use Multiple Chews
Giving your dog one super long-lasting chew gets the job done, but providing a variety of chews makes playtime more interesting and keeps them engaged for longer overall.
Try having 2-3 chews on hand to rotate through. When your dog starts losing interest in one, bring out a different texture, flavor, or type to pique their curiosity again. New chews are like new toys – dogs will be eager to explore them.
You can also use smaller chews to get your dog started, then bring out a larger or tougher one when their chewing momentum is going strong. This combo approach prevents boredom and satisfies dogs’ natural chewing instincts.
Supervise Your Dog
No chew will last forever with an unsupervised determined chewer. While some chews and toys are extremely durable, dogs can eventually wear them down. Small pieces can also break off and present a choking risk.
Monitor your dog whenever they are enjoying a longer lasting chew. Take the chew away once it reaches bite size pieces. This will prevent choking and also helps stretch out the chew even more since it won’t be consumed all at once.
Signs that your dog’s chew is almost done and needs to be replaced include:
- Toy is shredded or coming apart
- Edges are rounded from biting
- Deep teeth marks throughout
- Pieces breaking off
- Less than a few inches big
With supervision, one chew can provide hours of chewing over multiple sessions as you replenish with fresh chews.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Chewing naturally scrubs your dog’s teeth and reduces plaque buildup. If your dog is an avid chewer, their teeth get cleaned whenever they gnaw on treats and toys. But even dogs who chew for hours daily need regular tooth brushing for optimal dental health.
Brushing your dog’s teeth at least 2-3 times per week will remove plaque and tartar that chewing doesn’t reach. This reduces the risk of dental disease. Use a soft dog toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for dogs. Work up to brushing the outer surfaces of all your dog’s teeth.
Chewing and brushing together provide the following oral care benefits:
- Prevents plaque and tartar
- Reduces bacteria
- Cleans hard-to-reach surfaces
- Minimizes bad breath
- Improves overall health
Pick the Right Chews for Your Dog
Some chews work better for certain types of dogs based on their age, size, chewing habits, and preferences. Choose chews that are tailored for your individual pup.
Factor in Your Dog’s Age
A puppy or older dog cannot safely handle some hard, tough chews. Gauge chew texture accordingly.
| Age | Ideal Chew Texture |
|---|---|
| Puppy | Soft rubber; cloth; rope |
| 1-7 years | Hard rubber; raw bones; antlers |
| Senior | Soft rubber; stuffed Kongs; meat strips |
Factor in Your Dog’s Size
Never give small dogs large chews. Break chews into appropriately sized pieces instead.
| Dog Size | Ideal Chew Size |
|---|---|
| Small breed | Tiny stuffed Kongs; bully stick pieces |
| Medium breed | PB Kongs; 6 inch bully sticks |
| Large breed | Jumbo Kongs; 12 inch bones |
Consider Your Dog’s Chewing Style
Does your dog destroy all toys instantly? Do they nibble gently? Tailor chews to how aggressively your individual dog chews.
| Chewing Style | Best Chews |
|---|---|
| Gentle | Rawhide; pig ears; bully sticks |
| Moderate | Kongs; antlers; hooves |
| Power | Goughnuts; hardened bones; rubber |
Offer Various Textures
Dogs like variety. Rotate through different chew textures to keep things interesting.
| Texture | Example Chews |
|---|---|
| Crunchy | Bully sticks; pig ears |
| Rubbery | Kongs; Goughnuts |
| Hard | Bones; hooves; antlers |
| Soft | Rawhide twists; Himalayan chews |
Conclusion
With the right homemade chew recipes and techniques, you can make tasty treats for your dog that will keep them happily occupied for hours. Choose dense, durable ingredients, opt for larger sizes, consider freezing, provide plenty of variety, and supervise your dog during chewing. Put these tips into practice and you’ll have a houseful of satisfied pups and longer lasting chews.