Raw Hide Bones & Pigs Hoofs

Hi, I have a 8 month old Maltese. We heard that raw hide and pigs hoofs/ears are not good for puppies and not good for some dogs at all. We have never given her any... but are thinking of giving her a treat or two in her stocking. Are these products OK to give to a young Malteste? Anything to look out for or to be aware of?
Kelly

• Good of you to ask first before giving any other these items to your puppy. I would NOT recommend giving any dog at any age raw hide. True they love it but the raw hide gets too soft (almost like bubble gum) and then they choke on it because they can not chew a piece off. My youngest male dog was gagging and foaming at the mouth because the whole bone/chew piece was down his throat. Well you can imagion that I would of certainly been one less dog if I did not supervise his chewing. I do not suggest the crushed raw hide products either.

  As far as pig ears go yes they are better but too much and the dog will have the runs and gas like you can't believe! I would try to stick with nyla-bones they are the best for a dog. Some dogs are not that fond of them but keep trying different sizes, flavors, and give the little guy the softer nyla-bone type be- cause he is so young.

  I also do not recommend any rubber chew toys with squeeks in them. They will only choke on those pieces of rubber as well or even the sqeek itself.

  Cow hooves are ok but there again they splinter and crack after awhile. Not to mention they STINK when they are wet. My dogs love them but I don't so out they go.

  There is a new product on the market called Busters Cube and what it is is a cube that you put pieces of food or treat into it. The dog will have to roll it around on the ground for the pieces to fall out of the certain slots. I think this would be ok as long as you monitor the amount of food intake. Too much and your dog will be chubby!!

  Any new toy you give to your pup should always be monitored by you. Believe me anything could happen and it is important that you are standing by. It is also fun to watch! Good Luck in your shopping I know I still have to do mine X 4 dogs! Also I forgot to mention raw hide doesn't really digest that well either. I saw a dog once that had to have surgery because they thought it was a tumor. Turned out to be a glob of raw hide about the size of a baseball in his stomach. Not worth it if you ask me.
  PUG

• Has anyone ever used a Kong toy with a Maltese? I've heard dogs love them; you can hide treats or put peanut butter in them to keep the dog entertained for quite awhile. (Good for, let's say you are leaving the house and you don't want your dog to whine and cry when you exit.) But I don't know of anyone who owns a Maltese and uses them. Also, my dog pays absolutely no attention to Nylabones or Booda Velvets. He has a 'Beef Chew' that is almost as long as him; the pet store (w/very helpful staff) recommend s it and he LOVES it. Carries it all around, banging into corners with it, etc. It is very hard and in 1 mo. I can only see some slight wearing/white marks where he has bitten. It is not supposed to break down easily, unlike rawhide. Anyone else use these?
  Laurie B.