You may have heard the line, "None of the  pig goes to waste. We even use the oink."  Well, that's what a dog thinks, too. Although bones, ears, and hooves are used as treat items for dogs, we have to remember that dogs are meat-eaters by nature, and they  don't really care about what part of the animal it came from.

 Chewing is a very natural behavior for puppies and dogs, and there are a number of benefits that chewing offers:  Good dental hygiene

Chewing is good for keeping tartar from building up on the teeth (which helps prevent that dragon breath). When a dog chews on a  hard object, it scrapes away the tartar that can build up and cause bad breath, staining and periodontal disease.

 Chewing satisfies the natural desire to chew.   Dogs are animals, and animals use their   mouths for many things. It's natural for dogs  to chew, and chewing on hard chew objects provides an appropriate outlet for your dog's desire to chew.

                   Relieves Boredom :

                   Chewing is an enjoyable pastime for many
                   dogs, while others may chew to relieve
                   boredom, frustration, or anxiety. If you had to
                   choose between your new couch, your
                   leather wallet, or a bone, which would you
                   rather your dog have?

                   To Aid in Teething "

                   Puppies chew for several reasons. Puppies
                   like to chew on something hard to relieve the
                   discomfort in their gums as their adult teeth
                   come in. This is called counterpressure.
                   Chewing also helps develop strong jaws, and
                   trains them as youngsters on the items that
                   are acceptable to chew.

                   Bones :

                   Bones are good choices for dogs to chew as
                   long as they are not too small or too brittle.
                   Chicken bones, for example, are small and
                   could splinter easily, getting caught in your
                   dog's throat or digestive system. The best
                   bones generally come from the femur (leg
                   bone) of a large animal, such as a cow. They
                   are very dense so they don't splinter, yet are
                   a manageable size for a dog to handle. They
                   even come smoked and basted, so your dog
                   has a variety to choose from.

                   Handmade bones (such as Booda Velvets
                   and Nylabones), are good choices if you
                   want to keep your dog busy but don't want to
                   give real animal bones. Or, for pets that
                   prefer a softer chew, or for older pets that
                   struggle with hard chews, try a bone that is
                   less dense. Booda Velvets are made with
                   digestible ingredients (such as corn) that are
                   perfectly safe for your dog. They may come
                   in a variety of flavors, and you can find the
                   size that's just right for your dog's
                   preferences.

 If you offer your dog a bone, and he doesn't  seem to care for it, don't give up! Some pets  are finicky about their chews. Maybe he  doesn't like the consistency of the bone, or  perhaps it's too big or too bland. Whatever   her preference, keep trying until you find the   right chew item. Just remember those    benefits!

                   Pig Ears :

                   Pig ears . . . we've all seen them . . . we've all
                   smelled them . . . and yes, we've actually
                   touched them. They aren't too appetizing to
                   us, but our dogs love them. They don't mind
                   that they're real pig ears off of real pigs.
                   What they do know about pig ears, though, is
                   that:

                       they're all natural pork
                       they're tasty and tantalizing
                       they're great for crate training or as a
                       snack anytime
                       they're an acceptable outlet for their
                       natural chewing needs
                       they're easier to digest than rawhide.

                   Chew Hooves :

                   Yes, these are really the hooves from the
                   animal. They are 100% protein, so they are
                   totally digestible. However, hooves have the
                   potential to splinter, especially if your dog is
                   an aggressive chewer, so these should only
                   be given to your dog if you are there to
                   supervise.