This page adresses some of the concerns about ingredients in pet foods which may be harmful, with a helpful chart that compares a few brands. I know, I know, they’re trying to sell pet food themselfves, but the information is pretty good.
You should avoid any pet food which has BHT, BHA, Ethoxyquin or EQ in it. This page adresses some of the health problems these chemicals cause. This page has a lot of helpful links.
This is not to say that you can’t feed your dog any commercial pet foods: just that some brands are better than others, and you should read the ingredients carefully before deciding.
It’s hard to recommend a chew toy because each dog likes something different. I can recommend a toy called a “Kong.” Hate to be crude, but it looks like a big, red, hollow turd. Stuff it with peanut butter and a few buscuits. Put it in the freezer overnight, and give it to your dog when you leave in the morning. She’ll have hours of yummy fun.
Some dogs like soft plush toys. You can sometimes buy stuffed animals made for children at discount stores at a much cheaper price than pet stores. Just make sure there are no plastic parts that the dog can choke on.
If your dog is one of those who love to rip toys apart, they sell some that has strong Velcro holding all the pieces in place. You dog gets the joy of ripping something apart, and you can simply put it back together aftewards.
Don’t give your dog real bones or rawhide. Both of those could be potentially harmful for your pet. Yes, people give them to dog all the time, and most of the time no harm is done, but the potential is still there. Splinters in the stomach, blockage . . . these are things you shouldn’t have to worry about with your dog’s toys.
Do not give the dog any of your old posessions as his toys. They smell like you and it’s too confusing: he’ll start thinking that all of your stuff is his to play with. A good way to teach your dog what is his is to put a drop of lemon juice or vanilla on all of his posessions. He’ll start associating that smell with his posessions, and know that anything that doesn’t smell like that isn’t his.
I’d suggest just getting a variety of toys and see what he plays with the most. You can always pass on unwanted toys to friends who have dogs. (Hint, hint!
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