Four Dogs and A Brunette
A Chew Adventure with Millie and Mar
Taking my Great Dane, Millie, and my Yellow Lab, Mar, to the pet store is always an event. These two have very distinct shopping styles; Millie has the curiosity of a toddler in a candy shop, and Marās ābull in a china shopā energy is unmatched. But when it comes to picking out chews, theyāre both professional inspectors.
On this trip, we had one mission: to find some long-lasting, pup-approved chews. The only rule? Absolutely no rawhide.
Chew Shopping 101: Millie and Mar Style
From the moment we walked into the store, Millie took it upon herself to sniff everything. Shelves, bags, bins, you name it, she had her nose in it. At one point, she managed to knock over a display of stuffed toys while trying to greet a very startled employee. Mar, on the other hand, made a beeline for the treat aisle, her tail wagging so hard she nearly took out a basket of cat food.
When we finally made it to the chew section, the girls got straight to work. Millie inspected every item by gently pawing at it or giving it a single sniff before deciding it wasnāt worth her time. Mar, however, tried to grab everything in sight, bully sticks, yak chews, antlers, the whole nine. Her enthusiasm was impressive, if not a little overwhelming.
What We Picked
After much deliberation (and redirecting Mar away from things she definitely didnāt need), we settled on:
1. Buffalo Horns: These are a favorite in our house. Theyāre tough enough to handle Millieās giant jaw and donāt splinter like some chews can.
2. Bully Sticks: Perfect for Marās never-ending chewing sessions. Theyāre natural, digestible, and keep her entertained for hours.
Both options are long-lasting and safe for heavy chewers, which is a win in my book.
Why We Avoid Rawhide
If thereās one chew I wonāt touch with a ten-foot pole, itās rawhide. Hereās why:
- ā¢ Choking Hazard: Rawhide can break into chunks that are too big to swallow safely, creating a serious risk of choking or blockages.
- ā¢ Digestive Issues: Itās hard for dogs to digest, which can lead to tummy troublesāor worse, a trip to the vet.
- ā¢ Chemical Concerns: Many rawhide products are treated with chemicals during processing. Iām not feeding my dogs anything I wouldnāt trust for myself.
There are so many better options out there, so we steer clear of rawhide and stick to safer, natural chews.
A Successful Shopping Trip
By the time we made it to the checkout, Mar had decided she was done sniffing and flopped down dramatically in the middle of the aisle. Millie, true to form, tried to climb onto the counter to āhelpā the cashier. We left with a bag full of goodies and two very happy dogs, who couldnāt wait to get home and test out their new chews.
Back at the house, the girls went straight to their beds, buffalo horn and bully stick in tow. Watching them happily chew away made the chaos of the pet store trip totally worth it.
Pro Tips for Chew Shopping
- ā¢ Know Your Pupās Chewing Style: Heavy chewers like Mar need something tough, while Millieās enthusiasm calls for a safe, digestible option.
- ā¢ Inspect Labels: Look for single-ingredient, natural products.
- ā¢ Skip the Rawhide: There are better (and safer!) options for your dog.
Taking Millie and Mar to the pet store might feel like herding a tornado some days, but itās always an adventure. Plus, seeing their excitement over a new chew makes every moment worth it.
Until the next shopping trip,
The Brunette