7 good reasons to provide your dog with a chewing activity
Here are 7 reasons why it is essential to regularly provide chewing activities for your dog or puppy.
-
Generates the production of endorphins in the brain
Chewing is very important for dogs because it releases endorphins. This substance gives them a feeling of calm and relaxation! It's a hormone that reduces anxiety.
-
Keeps them busy, develops autonomy, patience and calmness
Chewing keeps your furry friend occupied for a long time. The advantage of these activities is that they last a considerable amount of time! Some are very fragrant, which helps keep your dog focused for hours as they work to finish them!
Furthermore, chewing helps develop your dog's independence by providing opportunities for self-reliance. Additionally, if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, chewing can help alleviate this anxiety. Even if your dog doesn't suffer from separation anxiety but dislikes being alone, chewing will greatly help relieve boredom.
-
Allows redirection of undesirable behaviors
Chewing activities can be invaluable for dogs who tend to destroy or vent their energy on forbidden objects. Chewing significantly reduces destructive behaviors. Redirect unwanted behaviors to chewable items such as yak cheese or sheep horn, and your furniture will be safe while your dog's needs will be met.
-
Expresses natural eating behaviors
In the wild, canines chew bones or similar materials found in nature between meals. Chewing is therefore a natural instinct for all canines, including dogs. It is a natural behavior that should be encouraged appropriately rather than punished.
-
Spend energy wisely
Chewing is a huge energy expenditure. Yes, chewing is as energy-intensive as a walk! It's the equivalent for us humans of reading a good book. Chewing is an excellent way to keep your dog's body and mind occupied. The act of chewing requires a lot of concentration and mental effort.
-
Promotes oral hygiene
Chewing is an excellent way to maintain your dog's oral health. The act of chewing has an abrasive effect that limits tartar buildup. For dogs that already have tartar, certain chewing activities are recommended, such as deer antlers, as they provide enzymes that help break down tartar in your dog's teeth, leaving them cleaner and their breath fresher.
Furthermore, chewing significantly reduces the risk of periodontal disease. Today, dental and gum diseases are an ever-increasing problem in our dogs, so it is important to maintain their oral hygiene.
-
Soothes the discomfort of a teething puppy
Just like human babies, puppies are born without teeth. Their first set of baby teeth erupts between 3 and 4 weeks of age. When your puppy is around 4.5 months old, these teeth fall out to make way for their adult teeth. During this process, your puppy may experience some dental discomfort. The best way to help ease this is to provide them with chew toys. This will prevent them from finding something else to chew on in your house to relieve the discomfort.
Advice
Chewing activities are a valuable resource for our dogs. A valuable resource means protection and defense.
Sometimes dogs may growl if you approach them while they're chewing on a bone. Growling related to resource guarding allows the dog to keep the person approaching its resource at bay. These behaviors can be anxiety-inducing and worrying for us humans, but they are perfectly normal and species-specific for our canine friends.
Never remove a bone or other chewing activity from the dog's mouth; if you want to get back what he is chewing, trade with him instead.
FIND THE DIFFERENT CHEWING ACTIVITIES THAT EXIST FOR YOUR DOG DIRECTLY ON OUR ONLINE STORE.