POWER CHEWERS

There are two types of doodles: those that cuddle with toys and those that mutilate them.The cuddlers will happily spend hours snuggling a cute stuffy or squeaking that new latex toy – and the toy will last months, if not years. The toy mutilators are equally as thrilled with a new toy, but there’s one key difference: the toy has a 3 minute life expectancy until it’s destuffed, desqueaked, and chewed into a pile of tiny pieces. Finding lasting toys for doodle chewers is challenging! Here are the top chews & toys for your favorite cotton ball and her tenacious set of jaws RidgeRunner Elk Antlers ​ Looking for a natural, non-toxic treat that’s not man-made yet will still satisfy your dog’s urge to chew? Look no farther! Our dogs started getting excited about their RidgeRunner elk antlers before I had even pulled them out of the shipping box. Elk antlers help keep tarter under control while supplying your fur-child with a natural source of calcium, phosphorous, manganese, and zinc. Wild elk seasonally shed their antlers, which are then collected from the floors of American forests. Choose a whole elk antler as a Christmas gift for power chewers and a split elk antler for more occasional chewers. Elk antlers are softer than deer antlers, making them less likely to crack teeth. Even so, always supervise chewing. Native Pet Yak ChewsWait, whaaaat? Yes, you read that right: YAK. These treats are hardened cheese sourced straight from the yaks of rural Nepal. I don’t know who is responsible for milking the yaks each day, but I do know that these all-natural treats are a great choice for chewers with sensitive stomachs. With no preservatives or chemicals and made with only three simple ingredients (yak milk, salt, and lime juice), Native Pet boasts that these lactose-free treats are a nourishing supplement to your dog’s diet. Choose the medium treat for doodles weighing around 20lbs. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, consider purchasing a larger size. When your dood whittles the yak cheese down, pop the remaining piece in the microwaves for 45 seconds. The piece will inflate into a crunchy, cheesy treat sure to delight any pup (our dogs think yak cheese puffs are amazing!).  Since hardened yak cheese is a treat made from real, edible ingredients, it is intended to have a short life expectancy. If your dog doesn’t finish the whole treat in one sitting, pat it dry and store it out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, as moisture could lead to molding. Native Pet does offer a satisfaction guarantee: “Try out Native Pet risk-free! If you aren’t satisfied, we will fully refund your purchase, no questions asked!” What doodle wouldn’t love finding a cheesy Christmas treat hiding in her stocking?  West Paw ZogoFlexWest Paw makes a variety of non-toxic chewer-friendly dog toys rated for medium to super chewers, and all made in the USA. The best part: West Paw has a chew-proof guarantee! The company proudly states, “If you aren’t completely satisfied with your West Paw purchase, we’ll replace it or refund your purchase. Best of all, we do the legwork for you. No need to mail in the product you want replaced or refunded, just fill out our Love It Guarantee™ form and we’ll take care of the rest.” Which of West Paw various products should grace your doodle’s Christmas stocking this year? For power chewers, choose the Tux. The Tux has the toughest durability rating, plus it can be stuffed with treats. If your dog isn’t a power chewer, give the Bumi a try. The Jolly Pets Jolly BallHorsemen’s Pride designed and manufactured the original Jolly Ball for horses. In 1994, Jolly Pets started as an offshoot of Horsemen’s Pride focusing on quality, durable dog toys. Jolly Pets now produces over 20 unique, long lasting dog chews, balls, animals, and discs, all designed for dogs. Best of all, Jolly Pets dog toys are non-toxic and many are made in the USA. Plus all toys are backed by a manufacturer’s guarantee. If your dog loves herding or soccer, try the Bounce-N-Play. This ball is intended for dogs to push around with their noses rather than being picked up and carried. Since Bounce-N-Play balls are too large for a dog to wrap her jaws around, they’re a great toy option for power chewers. If your dog isn’t a power chewer, try the Romp-N-Roll. Because every dog is unique, Jolly Pets has a toy finder that helps you determine which Jolly toy is best for your individual dog based on her size, preferences, and tendencies. Dog Chew Comparison Anyone who has opened a pack of bully sticks understands the need of finding a dog chew that doesn’t require you to hold your nose the entire your time your pup enjoys it. Elk antlers have a very minimal smell that is only noticeable if the antler is held right up to your nose. Freshly opened yak chews definitely smell more than elk antlers, but not enough to send you running out of the room or keep you from enjoying your dinner. We love hearing from you! Leave a comment telling us about your dog’s favorite chew toy. Elk Antler Dog Chews Power chewers present such a challenge. Give them a Kong… it’s demolished in hours. Give them a bully stick… the house stinks – and it’s still gone in hours. We’ve discovered an excellent all-natural option for the power chewer in our home, and I can’t wait to tell you about it! Seriously, our dogs LOVE these.RidgeRunner Elk Antler Dog ChewsHand Collected Dog ChewsRidgeRunner Antlers is a small, family-owned business located in the heart of elk country: Breckenridge, Colorado. Every year, wild elk naturally loose their  antlers and  grow a new pair.  The old set is left lying on the forest floor, just waiting to become your pup’s new favorite chew. Some of the elk antlers sold by RidgeRunner are hand collected by Stephen, the company’s owner & founder, as he and his children hike miles of scenic trails searching for sheds. Others are purchased from shed hunters who enjoy exploring the many mountainsides. All together, RidgeRunner amasses approximately 20k pounds of antlers each year, all of which have been naturally shed and collected by hand. Antlers are cut to appropriate sizes, sanded to remove sharp edges, and then shipped throughout the United States and into the paws of eagerly awaiting pups in every state. Why Elk Antlers?Elk antlers are an all-natural dog chew that won’t stain your furniture or carpet. These non-toxic chews help keep tarter under control while supplying your fur-child with a natural source of calcium, phosphorous, manganese, and zinc. Whole antlers can withstand even a hard chewer for many months, plus they remain undamaged if left outside occasionally.Do Dogs Like Elk Antlers?Stephen, the owner of RidgeRunner Antlers, asserts that he’s met very few dogs who will turn their nose up at antlers, especially the split antlers. We decided to construct our own test to verify his claim. Four different adult dogs were individually given a choice between three different new chew products. All four adult dogs passed up the other enticing new chew options and headed straight for the elk antlers without hesitation!Selecting The Right AntlerThe Whole Elk Antler is the perfect choice for power chewers . If your dog is a super power chewer, include a note at checkout requesting that RidgeRunner leaves the base attached. The Split Elk Antler is a great option for intermittent chewers. With 1/2 of the delicious, nutritious marrow exposed, your pup is sure to be smitten with this variety. Since the marrow is softer than the hard outer covering, split antlers do not withstand heavy chewing in the same way whole antlers do. The Quarter Split Elk Antler is an ideal chew for teething puppies, elderly dogs, and teacup & toy sized dogs (<10lbs). With 2/3 of the delicious & nutritious marrow exposed, these chews are soft on teeth yet satisfy the need to chew. If you have a special request, include a note at checkout, and RidgeRunner is happy to accommodate. Not sure which chew to choose? Email RidgeRunner and their friendly staff will assist you in selecting the right antler for your pup’s size and chewing habits. RidgeRunner is happy to accommodate, and, consequently, the company boasts a large number of repeat customers.Life ExpectancyThe length of time that an elk antler lasts depends on your individual dog’s chewing habits, the cut of antler your choose, and how many dogs will be gnawing the antler. With three dogs chewing it, a whole elk antler lasts 3 weeks at our home before it’s completely demolished.  A dog who isn’t a power chewer will take much longer to chew through a whole elk antler, especially if there’s only have one dog enjoying it. Since the marrow is soft and tasty, split elk antlers will last less time than whole elk antlers. Bottom LineOur dogs give RidgeRunner elk antlers an affirming chew of approval. Surprise your doodle with an elk antler dog chew. We think she’s going to love it!