For dogs, chewing is much more than just a pastime—it’s the key to inner peace and balance. But why does chewing have such a calming effect on our four-legged friends? In this article, we’ll take a look at how chew toys not only strengthen chewing muscles but can also contribute to a more relaxed life for your dog. Find out here why chewing is good for your dog and how it makes him happier!
Chewing helps dogs relax—but why is that?
Chewing can be a natural way for dogs to cope with stress. Why? When your dog chews on a chew toy for a long time, their body releases endorphins (which create feelings of happiness). These are directly linked to the brain’s reward center and help your dog feel comfortable and relaxed.
We can take advantage of this connection. Chewing is a natural activity for dogs and is also typical of the species. Even if you teach puppies not to chew on shoes or furniture, trying to completely wean your dog off chewing is neither sensible nor easily achievable—it’s simply part of being a dog.
Chewing makes your dog happy because it releases feel-good hormones. At the same time, it helps him relieve stress. Biting and chewing release tension in his jaw. The dog lies down to chew on the chew toy. His entire posture becomes more relaxed. He’s no longer looking around at everything; instead, he focuses on chewing.
When might it be a good idea to use chew toys for dogs?
Especially in stressful situations, you can redirect or distract your dog with a good chew toy while helping him relax, for example:
- Dining out
- when traveling by car, train, or bus
- Ceiling training
- when guests come over
- during a thunderstorm
- on New Year's Eve
- regarding capacity utilization
- as a pastime
- when the dog is overwhelmed
- when left alone (but be careful: don't give your dog any chew toys that could cause him to choke!)
Other benefits of chew toys for dogs
Chewing can also help relieve boredom or frustration. Dogs that have plenty of opportunities to chew are often less prone to undesirable behaviors like chewing on furniture or shoes. Did you know that dogs can start chewing due to both under-stimulation and over-stimulation? A good example in humans: A pacifier helps a baby relax, and chewing gum helps an adult.
While this activity is a natural way for dogs to stay active and promotes relaxation and well-being, it also helps with dental care. Regular chewing ensures good blood flow to the gums and strengthens the chewing muscles. In addition, it stimulates saliva production, which helps dislodge and wash away food particles from the teeth.
How long should my dog chew?
The longer your dog chews, the more relaxed they become, because it takes about 5 minutes of chewing before enough endorphins are released to achieve long-lasting relaxation and a sense of well-being. However, the amount of time a dog needs to chew to release endorphins can vary. There is no exact timeframe, as this depends on various factors, such as the dog’s individual chewing strength, the type of chew toy, and the dog’s preferences.
Some dogs may experience a release of endorphins after just a few minutes of intense chewing, while others may need to chew longer to achieve the same effect. It is important to give your dog enough time to chew so that it can achieve the desired relaxation.
What should you look for when buying chew toys for dogs?
There is a wide variety of chew toys available on the market. Some are softer and require less chewing effort, while others are harder and require more chewing. It can be helpful to try out different chew toys to find out which type your dog enjoys most and which provides the most relaxation.
It is also important to keep the following points in mind:
- to the right size
- for the absence of harmful substances
- Naturalness (ideally, items that have been gently air-dried over a long period of time, so that all the goodness is preserved!)
- Level of difficulty (tailored to the dog)
Also, never leave your dog unattended while chewing on treats that could cause him to choke!
How often can my dog have chew toys?
It’s perfectly fine to give your dog a chew treat every day. To help your dog maintain a healthy weight, you may need to reduce their daily food portion slightly.
Why not check out our chew toys in the shop?
Chewing makes dogs happy—and helps them relax!
Chew toys are a simple and effective way to promote dogs’ well-being. Not only do they help satisfy their natural urge to chew, but they also actively contribute to relaxation and stress reduction. At the same time, regular chewing benefits their teeth and jaw muscles. Whether used as a reward, a distraction, or for daily relaxation—chew toys are versatile and simply good for dogs.
Transform your dog's life with nacani products!
At nacani, in addition to dog chew toys, you’ll find a great selection of other products that naturally help your dog relax. In our own production facility, we craft ourCBD treatswith love and care and offerhigh-quality CBD oil.
If you have any questions about our products or would like to chat about them, feel free to join ournacani Facebook groupandfollow us on Instagram!
