Additionally, rawhide bones generally refer to the final shape the material is molded into for marketing.  There are nearly as many different shapes of rawhide bones as there are breeds of dogs!  The bones that you give your puppy or dog ultimately will depend on your individual animal’s preference for taste, shape and “chewing satisfaction”, but there are some things to keep in mind.

Rawhide bones can be bleached, which gives some of these products a white color.  Your dog probably won’t care about the color, and while there is little research to determine if the bleaching process is actually harmful to your pet, many professionals agree that it is not a necessary process and provides no benefit to your pooch.  Additionally, your pet care professional may have recommendations for rawhide bones that don’t include harmful chemicals in them, as well.  In light of contamination of imported pet products in recent years, rawhide bones made in the USA might be a better alternative.

There are pressed rawhide bones which are molded straight into stick shapes, often sold as rawhide retriever sticks.  Some brands of bones are compressed and more densely wrapped than other brands, which generally means that your pet will chew through the bones more quickly.  The more densely wrapped bones often are knotted at both ends, which Brutus the St. Bernard can place between his front paws vertically and gnaw on the knotted end until his heart is content.

It is generally agreed that rawhide bones are a safe product, for either your puppies to senior dogs.  The concerns pet care professionals have is that while a dog’s digestive system can generally tolerate the product, you must be careful to observe that your dog doesn’t break off a small piece of his toy that is too large to swallow.  There are rare reports of dogs choking, or getting blockages from ingesting the wrong sized bites.  If the bone is too soft, take it away and let it dry out before giving it back to your dog.

Chicken is one of the best-selling flavors in the pet food market.  If your dog loves the taste of chicken, then chicken dog treats are the natural choice to enhance his regular diet.  Chicken dog treats are plentiful in the marketplace, with a wide range of  choices for Fifi to feast on.  

You’ll find chicken dog treats available in three basic types; they are soft and moist; the dry chew, and the edible chew.  Here’s how the different types generally stack up.

The soft and moist chicken dog treats are in branded shapes, cut in strips or sold in chunks.  Generally, these products contain approximately 30% moisture and are usually sold in what is called sealed packaging;  for example, foil pouch or wrapped, or plastic containers. These treats are easy to store, and are high on Fifi’s fave-factor for taste.  To maintain the soft moist texture, these treats usually have a higher sodium and fat content (to enhance palatability), and generally contain preservatives for freshness.  For a couple of chicken dog treats try these:  Zukes Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Chicken 1 lb. packages are a consumer recommended choice;  as well as American Kennel Club Semi-Moist Chicken training treats for dogs – well rated.

The popular dry chicken dog treats that are commercially available have about 10-12% moisture, and because of this, require fewer preservatives and have a longer shelf-life.  The “old standard” dog biscuits shape remain a perennial favorite; but, cookie or wafer shapes, are top sellers.  Dry chicken dog treats tend to be low in fiber, and high in fat, sodium and protein.  Some brands come fortified with extra supplements, to enhance their nutritional value, and this type can aid in doggie dental care.  Dry treats are easier to find available in convenient quantity-sized  packaging – perfect to buy for your large breed dog.   For your medium or large breed dog, Newman’s Own Organic Dog Treats have good reviews for having human grade, organic ingredients, in a fun heart shaped chicken dog treats. Good pricing found online, and is available in some grocers and discount stores.

For the edible chew category, you’ll have bones, twists and chips.  A word of caution, especially on the imported edible chews, as some have been implicated in containing high levels of harmful preservatives, and also this type tends to be made with elevated levels of high crude protein, which may not be beneficial to your pet.  The main advantage of edible chew chicken flavor dog treats is that they provide longer lasting chewing satisfaction for puppies to mature dogs, than the other two types.  Edible chews are also recommended by animal care professionals to aid in tartar and plaque build up in teeth.  Try Smokehouse USA 100% Natural Chicken Breast strips, chicken dog treats – high in consumer satisfaction and peace of mind, as they’re made in the USA.  These are available in 4 oz., 8 oz. and 16 oz packages.

Here are a couple of tips to remember when selecting chicken dog treats: treats should never replace the regular diets of puppies or adult dogs.  Check with your veterinarian for your dog’s specific requirements, but as a rule of thumb, most professionals recommend that treats consist of no more than 10% of the daily caloric intake and diet.

Many recipes exist in the marketplace for making your own homemade dog treats.  Of course, the internet provides the most accessible homemade dog treat recipes, as well as books on the subject of homemade dog treats,  available for purchase from on-line sites like Amazon or Borders.  These days, if your pocketbook is stretched, you could even get a book or two at your local library (remember those places?) !

Ingredients for homemade dog treats can include whole wheat flour, oats, barley, sea salt, brewers yeast, chicken parts, beef organs, bacon and bacon fat, brown or white rice (even flavored rices like basmati), milk, cheese or whey powder, strained baby foods, fresh eggs, creamery butter, and such.  You’ve got the point.  Your homemade dog treats can use human food, which is perfectly fine for your puppy or older dogs, and they will be much better for it, without all the added preservatives.