Is Beef Trachea Safe for Puppies? Love the Benefits, Know the Risks
It's been a while since we've had a puppy at our house. I met all 3 of my fur babies at the local shelter where I volunteer several days a year. But I hope you won't hold that against me.
You see, many dog parents in my neighborhood found out that I keep up with the latest canine health trends, research, and dog bone risks. They read some of the safest dog treat articles. And this week, while I was enjoying a mocha at my favorite dog-friendly cafe, I was chatting up the barista when she asked: Is beef trachea safe for puppies?
I wanted to share with you (my online neighbors) what I learned about safe treats for puppies.
The truth is that just because a certain all-natural dog bone is good for grown-ups doesn't mean it's safe for little ones.
Free Marrow Refill Recipe Guide
Why Puppies Have Special Needs
You and I know why they're so special. They're cuddly and adorable. But puppies also require extra effort and protection to grow up healthy and strong.
Puppies are in a critical stage of growth and development, which means they have unique nutritional and safety requirements compared to adult dogs, such as:
- Growth and Development - Puppies require a higher intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals to support their rapid growth and developing organs.
- Dental Health - Their teeth are still forming, so they need chews that are gentle yet effective in promoting dental hygiene.
- Digestive Sensitivity - Puppies have sensitive digestive systems that can be easily upset by certain ingredients or overly hard chews.
- Learning and Behavior - Chews and treats can play a significant role in training and behavioral development, providing both mental stimulation and a reward system.
That leads to the beef trachea treats themselves.
What Is Beef Trachea?
Beef trachea for dogs is a popular all-natural chew made from the windpipe of cattle. These treats are naturally high in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are excellent for joint health. They have a lot of collagen protein, which is the foundation for healthy skin, bones, joints, and hair.
Dogs love its chewing texture with just the right amount of crunch. Beef trachea is one of my favorite training treats. And it's replaced the glucosamine and chondroitin supplements I once gave my dogs.
You can learn more about beef trachea here.
What Are the Benefits of Beef Trachea Dog Treats for Puppies?
- Nutritional Value - Beef trachea dog treats are rich in nutrients that support joint health, making them one of the healthiest puppy treats.
- Dental Health - Chewing on beef trachea helps clean teeth and massage gums, promoting overall dental health.
- High Protein - They provide a good source of protein, which is essential for growing puppies.
But none of this matters if beef trachea is not safe, so let's move on to that answer.
Is Beef Trachea Safe for Puppies?
Beef trachea is one of the healthiest puppy treats you can give your little one. It's loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals babies need to grow up into big, strong dogs. But there are some safety considerations I urge you to make:
1. Don't Give Beef Trachea to Puppies Who Are Nursing
A puppy who is still nursing is definitely too young for a beef trachea. Puppies don't even get their first baby teeth until around 3 weeks.
Baby should be getting all of their nutrition from their momma's milk or a veterinarian-approved dog milk substitute, as needed.
This milk is nutrient-rich and has everything the puppy needs to grow strong, including vital antibodies to grow a healthy immune system.
Do this instead.
If you want to "give your puppy" the added nutrition found in all-natural grass-fed beef marrow bone or beef trachea, the best thing you can do is let the new mother have it. She deserves it!
And she'll share that exceptional nutrition with her babies through dog milk.
2. Wait Until Their Grown-up Teeth Come in
Now, momma dog will probably wean her puppies at around 7-10 weeks. But don't have that beef trachea for puppies ready in your back pocket just yet.
At this age, puppies still have their baby teeth. They don't get adult teeth until about 12 weeks. Plus, their jaws are weak. Chewing on something too hard could injure these delicate tissues.
Giving a puppy beef trachea when they still have their baby teeth could not only damage those soft teeth or jaw bones – they might lose teeth prematurely and struggle with solid food.
Beef trachea can be good treats for puppies, but only after they have adult teeth.
3. Supervise
When you're ready to give your puppy beef trachea, do it one puppy at a time in a separate room. You need to focus on how they receive it and give that one baby your full attention. Like baby humans, puppies may try to scarf down treats without chewing. This could cause a choking hazard. So watch them until they've finished the treat.
Once you're comfortable with each puppy safely enjoying their treat, you can supervise them as a group. I never let my dogs enjoy their dog bone when I'm not in the same room— no matter the age. Aggressive chewers can get excited and try to swallow it whole.
4. Ensure the Correct Size
If they are a very small breed, you might cut the treat in half or quarters to prevent the swallowing of large pieces.
5. Go for Quality
I choose high-quality dog bones and treats for my own furry family. That includes buying grass-fed beef trachea for dogs and avoiding treats that have unnatural additives and preservatives. Beef trachea chews are safe treats for puppies of the right age. But they're even safer when they're also the healthiest puppy treats.
Grass-fed beef has less saturated fat and more healthy fats, plus higher percentages of protein, vitamins, and minerals than conventionally raised beef. The best dog bones come from grass-fed cattle raised on USA farms.
Free Marrow Refill Recipe Guide
Other Safe Treats for Puppies
If I had puppies, I'd get them lung bites. Organ meat is especially nutritious, and dogs eat it in the wild. Follow the rules listed above. Riblets are another great choice for puppies and adults up to 15 pounds. They're the perfect size for smaller mouths. But if your puppy is already over 15 pounds, please choose dog bone treats that are larger than your dog's mouth. Here's to helping your puppies to grow healthy and strong!Available On:
