Guest normaandburrell Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 My grey loves to chew on bark. He started with the large clumps of cypress mulch and now has found our firewood stack. He chews up small sticks, and chews the bark off larger ones. In the process he ingests some of the bark and maybe some of the softer wood. I hate to stop him, since he is having so much fun, but I usually limit him to doing it for just a little while. Has anyone had any problems letting their dog chew on sticks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Good question. There are several reasons to not allow dogs to chew on wood bark, mulch, sticks, firewood, etc. Dogs can get serious intestinal punctures and/or blockages from ingesting wood pieces. Wood (including bark/mulch) splinters a lot. Can cause mouth/gum and/or other internal injuries. Many types of plants and trees are toxic to dogs. Safer alternative is to provide dog safe chew toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I think you're right. He threw up some small pieces of bark this morning, then tried to eat them again before I could clean it up. Maybe I'll take him to Petsmart and let him pick out a chew toy. He has two kongs but only pays attention to them when they are stuffed with treats. I know my other grey would tear apart rawhide chew sticks and swallow large pieces. Any suggestions for good chew toys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Some of the plastic Nylabones have a flavor and they have been indestructible here. My kids like the ones with nubby bumps on them. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 If your hounds aren't interested in Kong products (unless filled), very safe choices are limited. We get hard "Durachew" (by Nylabone) in bacon flavor, "souper" size. Our hounds favorite style looks like a fist. They last a long time, and if sized properly, dogs don't ingest large pieces. Take it away if it begins to wear down too much. There is always a risk of dogs chipping a tooth on any hard toy. Some dogs just really need to chew something. If a hound isn't interested in a Durachew immediately, smear peanut butter on it so the dog learns it's his/hers to enjoy. (I don't recommend their soft, gummy, or edible chews because large chunks can break off and be ingested. I do not recommend antlers because they are extremely hard on teeth.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sireltonsmom Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Another issue is pesticides. Dogs eating wood sometimes ingest it and it's not good. Lots of negatives - have you googled the subject? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliered Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Honest Kitchen has a treat that you might try. It is dehydrated fish skin and the ones I like are the long ones..It takes my hounds about 20 minutes to finish one off. They can be given inside because there is zero mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks for the advice. I will look for the treats you all suggested. We have had this hound for only 3 months, he is still fairly young, and he has suddenly started to chew on all kinds of objects, including sponges, toilet paper rolls, you name it. So far no really destructive behavior, but we want to get it in hand quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Another thing to consider is the mulch may be chemically treated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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