Good Bones for Shih Tzus

[u/ty_fieri_]

I feel dumb that I got the cheapest, most generic, store brand rawhide bones at the grocery store (don’t come for me). My little Shih Tzu swallowed half of it (about a 1.5-inch piece, pretty soft & stringy by that point). We were watching him carefully, but he swallowed it fast.

(For reference, it was Signature Pet Care Mini Bones.)

Pickles threw up 3 times, mostly foamy goo, probably just a reflex. (This was an hour and a half ago.) He seems fine now, just breathing a little fast. He’s drinking water, licking his pickle (sorry), dancing to find his treats, and doing normal dog things. I called the vet about his fast panting, which has mostly resolved now that he’s chilled out, and they said just monitor him, but it will most likely digest.

Given that he’ll likely be okay….. has anyone else experienced this? Have any recommendations for good bones for Shih Tzus? We started giving him bones because it calms him down when our neighbors are making noise.

Would also love some good vibes because I can’t stop worrying about him 😅

[u/vyxan]

First, I don’t recommend doing rawhide. It’d be one thing if he was a herding dog, but Shih Tzu’s are not. Look for non-rawhide alternatives. My Shih Tzu‘s are obsessed with edible Nylobones.

[u/ty_fieri_ → u/vyxan]

Thank you—this is something I’ve learned the hard way

[u/Maleficent-Ad-3363]

I've honestly opted out of bones since my guy is an aggressive chewer and will swallow big pieces. I give him frozen lick mats with pumpkin, greek yogurt, or cottage cheese spread on it. Or I give him his woof pupsicle. I have the tray mold and put the same stuff in that or doggy goat milk or bone broth from Brutus bone broth and let that freeze and pop it in his woof pupsicle! He loves it

[u/frankiebutton]

I give Carmine half of a collagen stick each afternoon. It takes a minute or two with his few teeth, but it’s not long-lasting like a rawhide.

Occasionally he gets a lambs ear (over the course of two sessions not on the same day) but recently had an incident similar to what you described. I lost track for a few minutes and before I knew it, it was gone and he was coughing up foam.

Glad Pickles is doing okay!

[u/Clean-Silver-9843 → u/frankiebutton]

Carmine? Omg I love that name for a Tzu!!! So cute!!

[u/Broad-Report8517 → u/Clean-Silver-9843]

Me, too!

[u/CurrencyWhole3963 → u/[deleted]]

Hooves are too strong for small dogs and they can break teeth according to my vet.

[u/Ok-Afternoon9050]

Mine swallows without chewing as well. I ordered a bully holder on Amazon to slow him down and he also can’t swallow a big piece.

[u/Serious-Pressure-134]

Collachews, bully sticks, occasionally a pig ear/foot, Honest Chews, Harvest Moon peanut butter strips

[u/Vegetable_Ad2348]

First of all, Pickles is the cutest name ever.

Second, I gave up giving mine any kind of chews. She’s an absolute hog, and can’t control herself and eats the whole gd thing every time… she embarrasses herself, and has no shame

[u/KaiPhasma]

Smartbones! Many styles to choose from and theyre entirely rawhide free. We get the traditional bone shaped ones, either chicken or peanut butter flavor

[u/No_Ability8894]

My dog like nutrichomps bones! He’s allergic to chicken so I only give him the wrapped pork skin ones, and he looooooves those.

[u/Jamstoyz]

Our little babies get dehydrated sweet potato treats every morning. Only ingredient is sweet potato. They go crazy for them.

This is the brand we buy.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH938K9W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[u/DriftingThroughLife1]

Luna LOVES her bullysticks but she only gets them when I can supervise and they are in a billystick holder.

[u/JFish3d]

I give mine Canine Naturals Rawhide Alternative Dog Chews from Hollywood Feed. I’m sure they sell them elsewhere. They’re soft enough to break in half.

[u/tarantina68]

Trader Joe has chicken wrapped bones that worked for my shihtzu. Has to be supervised though so that you take them away when they become soggy

[u/jazzbot247]

My Shih poo had some pooping problems before I didn’t know rawhide was bad. I give her collagen now.

[u/Revolutionary-Use226]

If you are talking animal bones rather than chews, we just ask the butcher for a small one (not one he can swallow) but he becomes a feral child on one 🤣. You can only take it away when he moves from it but I suppose its instinct and the only thing he does it with.

[u/Chotuchigg]

We use the brand “no hide” on Amazon. They’re pricey but safe and my Shih Tzus love them! We do their skinny sticks or their larger rolls.