I definitely think whether some chews are dangerous or can cause dental problems is really individualized. Sundance has never shown interest in harder chews like antlers or Himalayan chews. I’ve tried many “bagged” non compressed chews of different recipes and brands and they are really more like firm treats but still too soft and easy to eat fast. Bully sticks are just right for him, like Goldilocks, because they are hard enough that he can’t break off pieces but soft enough that he enjoys chewing them. It’s impossible to buy good ones locally in my area. The mainstream manufacturers add some kind of artificial flavors or powder, and some kind of ingredient to help with the drying process, and I think that is what causes some of the staining others have mentioned, and they smell. There are mainstream manufacturers that make odor free bully sticks but I’m pretty sure they add flavor to them. In order to get natural bully sticks without additional ingredients, I have to order them online in a larger quantity and it’s expensive. I buy a brand that is odor free because they’re dried longer, but that means the flavor isn’t as strong. There are usually a couple in every bag that Sundance rejects, and once we reach the end of the bag they aren’t as appealing. They still aren’t completely “odor free” but they don’t smell gamey or obtrusive. Sometimes Sundance will accept one of the rejects if I soak the end in a glass of water for a few minutes. The second best chews for Sundance have been tracheas. They are probably a little too soft and more like a long lasting treat. A 6” bully stick lasts much longer, I almost always replace them before he’s finished. Tracheas kind of gross me out though so I don’t buy them often. When I do, Sundance carries them around gently like they’re special toys. He chews them very carefully compared to bully sticks, and he wants us to play with him with the trachea.
Something I’ve considered is that with multiple dogs bully sticks might not be a good option, even if they’re okay for one of them. They are too soft for a lot of dogs that chew harder than Sundance. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll end up being a good option for our second Havanese. If not I think Sundance will just get bully sticks on special occasions, since I haven’t found something else. He isn’t such a heavy chewer that he chews other things.
I actually can’t find a veterinary dentist in my area. There was one who rotated into different animal hospitals all over the state but he’s gone. I think one of the chains might have found someone else but I think I’d then need to see their regular vet to get a referral. A lot of the clinics list dental as a service but when I actually called the vet does it. i haven’t decided if I’ll go back to our vet for his next cleaning but I’m hoping I’ll find someone that specializes so that he can have X-rays, etc.
