Choosing a quality pigs ear for dogs? Follow these easy selection tips.
Alright, let's talk about pig ears for dogs. It’s funny how you end up trying things out, isn't it? My dog, Buster, he's a good boy, but man, he used to get bored. And a bored dog… well, you know. Chewed shoes, dug at the carpet. I needed something to keep him busy, something he could really get his teeth into.
I remember wandering down the pet aisle, just staring at the wall of chews. So many options, so much plastic packaging. Rawhide, bully sticks, those weird nylon bones. Some looked frankly scary. Then I saw them – the pig ears. Just kinda piled there, looking pretty basic. Honestly, they looked a bit gross at first.
Trying Them Out
I hesitated. Heard mixed things, you know? Some folks love 'em, others worry. But I thought, what the heck, let's grab one and see. I picked out what looked like a decent one, not too greasy, not too small.
Got home, unwrapped it. Buster's nose went straight up. He knew something was up. I held it out, and whoosh, he snatched it gently and trotted off to his favorite spot on the rug. And then the chewing started. Real chewing. Focused chewing. It wasn't the frantic chomping he did on some toys; this was serious business.
- He settled right down.
- The crunching sound was…loud.
- It kept him occupied for a good half hour, maybe more.
Okay, the aftermath. The rug. Yeah, it got a bit greasy. Lesson learned pretty quick there. From then on, pig ears became an "outside treat" or a "kitchen floor treat" on an old towel. Much easier to clean up.
My Routine Now
So, did I stick with them? Yeah, mostly. They aren't an everyday thing. Maybe once a week, sometimes less. I learned to watch him closely while he chews, especially when it gets down to the smaller bits. Don't want anyone choking, right? Common sense.
I always make sure to:
- Buy from a decent source. You want ears that look clean, not rancid or covered in weird stuff.
- Supervise the chewing. Always. No exceptions.
- Take away small pieces. When it gets tiny, I usually trade him for a smaller, quicker treat.
- Limit the frequency. They're fatty, so moderation is key. Don't want a porky pup.
It’s not rocket science. For Buster, they work. Gives him something natural to crunch on, satisfies that chewing urge, and keeps him out of trouble for a while. Sure, they can be messy, and you gotta be careful, but finding something simple that works? That’s a win in my book. Just sharing what worked for us, you know?
