While rubber and synthetic chews are common for dog owners, not many are familiar with coffee wood sticks. Can a wood toy satisfy our chewers? Will they harm our dogs in any way? Dog parents are confused about these questions and wonder about the coffee wood dog chew benefits. Don’t worry; we’ll explain how these toys work wonders for our pooches.
What are the Coffee Wood Dog Chew Benefits?
Safe and Non-toxic
Coffee wood sticks are non-toxic for chewers.
Safety is the biggest concern of dog owners when considering a dog toy, and coffee wood sticks give you peace of mind. Originating from Vietnam, the coffee wood is a natural, non-toxic material, unlike rubber or plastic toys that carry potential safety risks for our chewers.
Since these toys are all-natural, they might carry a subtle woody smell, but the odor will disappear soon and won’t cause any harm to our dogs. Many dog parents don’t like bully sticks’ strong smell and opt for wood sticks instead due to its subtle scent.
Coffee wood is close-grained, so it only creates small splinters as the dog bites on it. These fragments will be softened by saliva and can be digested if swallowed.
This gives you peace of mind when you have a big pooch with strong jaws who tend to wolf down toys. One of our customers has a 100-pound American bully mix, and she complains that her dog can break plastic chews easily and even swallow those harmful plastic pieces.
However, coffee wood sticks can withstand his powerful bites. Although it still leaves a mess of splinters, the fragments don’t hurt his gums like with plastic toys.
Clean and Strengthen Dog Teeth
Chewing is an important part of dogs’ dental care, removing tatar and plaque as our pooches gnaw and rub the stick against their teeth. The tiny fibers on the wood surface act as flexible toothbrushes, reaching hard-to-reach spots like the gaps between teeth. This is especially helpful if your pooches don’t like daily brushing; you can treat them to a coffee wood stick instead.
Additionally, constantly gnawing on a wood chew is a great way to strengthen dog teeth and train their jaw muscles.
Relieve Stress and Anxiety
According to BlueCross, boredom is one of the main reasons for stress in dogs. Chewing is an effective cure for boredom as this activity keeps our chewers stimulated and uses up their excess energy.
A study by NIH also confirms that gnawing on toys encourages positive emotions in canines. The reason is that it promotes the production of endorphins, the happy hormones, calming dogs down and soothing their anxiety.
Chewing helps dogs alleviate stress and anxiety.
A Source of Fun and Happiness
The AKC Pet Insurance suggests that adult dogs need about 30 to 90 minutes of daily playtime. Besides outdoor activities, owners should provide their pooches with indoor games and toys like a wood dog chew to ensure their well-being. They will have a fun and happy time playing with coffee wood sticks.
Mental Stimulation for Dogs
The tough texture of coffee wood sticks intrigues dogs’ curiosity to explore them. Biting on the toys is also a process of problem-solving, as pooches bite off and turn a solid wood stick into a rough, fibrous piece. This is considered a mental exercise for canines, requiring their brains to learn about a new toy.
Reduce Dog Destructive Behavior
While gnawing is typically normal in dogs, it sometimes leans towards destructive behavior when your pooches keep gnawing on household objects or personal belongings. Not to mention, dogs might turn to destructive chewing as a response to separation anxiety, according to VCA Animal Hospital.
In this case, you should redirect their biting behavior to appropriate items like a wood dog stick. Over time, your chewers will get used to these toys and have fun with them.
Support Teething Puppies
Puppies at 2 to 4 weeks old start teething, which might suffer from sore, swollen gums and itchiness. By introducing a safe dog chew to them, you can help soothe their pain and ease their itchiness. Coffee wood dog sticks also prevent these little chewers from biting your shoes, mats, and other furniture.
Many owners shared that their puppies, including small breeds like rat terrier mix and bigger ones with strong jaws like bulldog, all had a happy time with the wood toys. Their pups didn’t make a mess or leave strains when playing with the coffee wood sticks, unlike with other rubber or edible treats.
You can use coffee wood dog sticks for training.
Good for Training and Bonding
Some owners use coffee wood sticks as a tool to play games like fetch and hide and seek with their dogs. Besides, you can use them to train your chewers.
For example, teach them to follow your “Drop it” and “Pick it” commands. Or else, these coffee wood sticks also double as a great treat to praise your pooches when they behave well in the training session.
Durable and Sustainable
Unlike rubber toys, these coffee wood sticks are much harder and more durable. They can last anywhere from 2 to 4 months, depending on each dog’s chewing style. This can save you money, especially when you have an aggressive chewer at home.
Additionally, coffee wood dog treats can dissolve naturally by themselves, which is a benefit for the environment.
How to Choose the Best Coffee Wood Chew Size For My Dog?
Choosing the right coffee wood chew size is important for your dog’s comfort and safety. If the stick is too small, it can break easily and might leave large splinters that can hurt their gums. Not to mention, your pooches might accidentally swallow it, posing a choking hazard.
On the other hand, your canines can struggle to hold and gnaw on an overly large stick. If they can’t gnaw on them properly, they might lose interest soon.
Choose Based on the Dog’s Size
Consider your dog’s weight to select the right size for it:
- XS: Dogs of 10 pounds or under
- S: Dogs of 10 to 30 pounds
- M: Dogs of 20 to 55 pounds
- L: Dogs of 45 to 85 pounds
- XL: Dogs of 85 pounds or above
Notes:
- If your dog is in the middle between two sizes, it’s best to go for the bigger one to minimize the choking hazard.
- The recommended weight for each size can vary slightly depending on the toy brand. Check the size chart carefully before buying.
Choosing the correct chew size is important.
Choose Based on Chewing Style
Your dog’s chewing habit is another essential factor when choosing the toy size. Light chewers are quite gentle with their toys, so you can go down one size or stick with the recommended size.
For moderate chewers, it’s best to follow the suggested size. Meanwhile, you can choose a size up for aggressive chewers to withstand their intense chewing style.
Tips to Check If the Chew Fits Your Dog
You know a toy fits your dogs when they can grip the toy with their paws without hassle. The wood sticks also fit into their mouth easily without hurting them. If you notice the stick breaks easily after just a couple of chews, it is not the right one for your pooches.
What Dog Breeds Are Suitable for Coffee Wood Sticks?
All dog breeds and sizes can chew on coffee wood sticks. Canines, regardless of breed, have a natural urge to gnaw, so it’s completely normal to treat them to a coffee wood toy. Also, these toys come in various sizes, which are suitable for all dogs, whether they’re small or big, gentle or aggressive.
Even puppies can bite on these sticks safely because they are free of harmful chemicals and additives.
How to Introduce Coffee Wood Chew To My Dog for the First Time
If your dogs are new to coffee wood chews, follow these steps to ensure a smooth introduction:
- Pick the right size for your pooch. You can refer to the guide above to select the correct one.
- Let your dogs have a sniff test so that they recognize the stick as a “safe” toy. Don’t rush; give them ample time to explore the new toy at their own pace.
- Offer the treat when the pooches are calm and use gentle, positive language to encourage them. Always supervise them during the initial introduction time.
Take it slowly when introducing the new dog chew.
A coffee wood dog chew benefits your chewers in various ways, from dental care, mental stimulation, and stress relief to training and more. If you want to make your dog busy, remember to select the right size for them. Contact us if you need more help when choosing a stick for your dogs!