So, you’re wandering through the pet shop aisle staring down an overwhelming expanse of biologically engineered bones, chews and treats, each competing for your canine’s attention like the latest toy on the playground. But behind those wagging tails and eager eyes, though, lurks a question, or questions: “Do these Premium Feeders make my gums look good? or, “Are these the new craze in dog circles?”

So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty on bones. There’s rawhide, which sounds more like a cowboy word than a bone. Dogs adore them, but beware: Some are tougher than an old boot. Giant chunks can create a kerfuffle in your dog’s stomach, requiring an emergency trip to the vet. And nobody likes that surprise bill. Not me, and not at all you. I mean, savings are meant for things like that new squeaky toy, aren’t they?

For those who can’t have a more natural fame with their pooch, consider antlers. They’re not only for deer during the holidays. Antlers are as natural as it gets. No processing, no artificial flavors. Just raw, tail-wagging goodness. However, size matters! A wee Chihuahua likely doesn’t need a moose-sized chew.

Dental chews are the gums’ best friend. Imagine this: your dog chewing away, blissfully deep in another tooth cleaning session. These are ideal for the canine sophisticate who is seeking a dazzling smile with no flavor forfeited. Just remember thelabels can be Shakespearean. It’s for the best to sleuth around, looking for superfluous add-ins.

Flash forward to the cooked v raw argument. It’s as polarizing as pineapple on pizza. Some people swear by raw bones for dogs, and others sing the glories of cooked bones — in spite of the risk of splintering. It’s the age-old dog bone debate.

And as for bone offerings at petrol stations? Steer clear. They could just as easily be from the Stone Age. Just as we prefer quality over quantity, so do our pets. After all, no one wants their pup chewing on something that appears to have seen better centuries.