Are these safe to leave a dog unattended with?

Dopeydapple

Dopeydapple

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Tala has decided that she's bored of the bones from the butcher so looking at alternatives to keep her occupied while we are out. Her paw licking is a real problem but she won't keep the buster collar on, rips socks off and eats bits of them, foes crazy licking the bitter sprays off her feet so until we can manage her leg pain fully ( left 2 messages with vet to see if we can amend meds as she's still sore on metacam) think I need to look at things she will choose to chew more than her feet. I heard horror stories about dogs getting their tongues stuck in kongs so am worried about things that she licks inside of but I guess solid rather than rubber should be ok?
 

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I'm not sure on those. Never heard the thing about Kongs before - maybe it depends on the size of the dog and the Kong? A Kong or a Lickmat (one of the hard backed ones) are the only things I would feel reasonably comfortable leaving Ivy with unsupervised.

I feel for you and your dog, what a tricky situation! I hope she makes a speedy recovery.
 
druid said:
No, those are very dangerous and shouldn't be given even supervised in my opinion.

Has she had a pain and derm/skin work up for the licking? You really need to tackle the source vs trying to distract her from the symptoms
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The vet thinks she has elbow displacia, waiting for a callback from ortho department to book appointment and CT. She was an obsessive licker when we got her, took her to the vets to check her over and they said they think it's behavioural from being in rescue kennels for 18 months. She had almost stopped ( only licking when cleaning paws after a walk but still a bit compulsive once she got started), then she went lame about 10 days ago and the "crazy licking / making her paws sore" started. Vet said suspected ED but gave her metacam and advised rest for a few days before referring her in case it wasn't that ( no response on manipulation etc in exam). He also gave piriton in case the licking wasn't that but due to timing we both think it is 😢
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
I'm not sure on those. Never heard the thing about Kongs before - maybe it depends on the size of the dog and the Kong? A Kong or a Lickmat (one of the hard backed ones) are the only things I would feel reasonably comfortable leaving Ivy with unsupervised.

I feel for you and your dog, what a tricky situation! I hope she makes a speedy recovery.
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Thanks, it's the waiting around that's killing me, I just want to get her in for scans so we know what's going on and can get on with a treatment plan, also want the pain meds to work!! I'm a bit scared that this episode has reignited her licking compulsion and even if we manage the pain the licking is going to continue.
 
We like the ‘ribbon’ kongs- they can’t get their whole tongue in but still keep them occupied. We fill with either gravy bones, carrot sticks or can fill with wet food and freeze

www.viovet.co.uk

KONG Extreme Goodie Ribbon for Dogs

Buy KONG Extreme Goodie Ribbon for Dogs for your Dogs from VioVet, FREE DELIVERY available over £35. Great prices and super easy to use website, see for yourself now.
www.viovet.co.uk www.viovet.co.uk
 
Or has anyone any ideas how to keep a buster collar on? Could I maybe attach it to her harness somehow and leave that on her? I tried attaching it to her collar but she took both off.
 
Is it just the front paws or would she redirect to back paws? You can get boots/covers to protect the front paws - not sure if that would work? or would she just chew through it?
 

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EllieBeast said:
We like the ‘ribbon’ kongs- they can’t get their whole tongue in but still keep them occupied. We fill with either gravy bones, carrot sticks or can fill with wet food and freeze

www.viovet.co.uk

KONG Extreme Goodie Ribbon for Dogs

Buy KONG Extreme Goodie Ribbon for Dogs for your Dogs from VioVet, FREE DELIVERY available over £35. Great prices and super easy to use website, see for yourself now.
www.viovet.co.uk www.viovet.co.uk
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Intrigued by these - are they tougher than ordinary kongs ?? My little dears decided licking took too long and just bite them in half!
 
No.

My old male was a power chewer and went through a Kong Bone (similar to the ribbon thing) in about two chomps. He was left with an XL Extreme Kong in later life but just to hold/chew. not filled, the only time he did get his tongue stuck was then there was tripe in it and it created a vacuum.
He bit through two of those when he was younger, as well.

The Bionic range is OK.
 
Definite no to the cooked stuffed bones, even with you there.

Have a look at Westpaw Toppls and Freezebones, they are much more dog friendly than Kongs are for giving stuffed and frozen treats.


freezbone.co.uk

All

Do you ever feel like your dog's energy and anxiety levels are unmanageable? Here’s the good news. Science shows we can positively influence our pets' behaviors and emotions. Using enrichment toys like the FreezDoughnut, you can now slow down your dog's excitement and anxiety and provide them...
freezbone.co.uk freezbone.co.uk
 
I give kongs all the time. Not had a problem yet but it’s only loose kibble held in with a cheese plug so no licking needed I guess.
Scout has a black one and it’s lasting well. 🤞
 
I don't leave mine with Kongs not because of tongues getting stuck but one of mine will eat what ever is in it and continue eating, pulling tiny bit of rubber off!
I find it quite difficult with safe things to leave mine with simply because of the size difference in the dogs, what may be safe for one isn't for another.

Would a Yak chew be an option maybe?
 
A single frozen meatball is my go to for a kong, they have to lick the outside but it rapidly defrosts so no reason to get tongue stuck (also, make sure the kong is appropriate size for the dog!)
 
Littlest Hobo said:
Intrigued by these - are they tougher than ordinary kongs ?? My little dears decided licking took too long and just bite them in half!
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The black kongs are the ‘extreme’ ones and supposedly really tough.

I’ve had these and the red ones for 5years, used multiple times a week and they’re all good as new once they’ve been through the dishwasher

Mine aren’t crazy mad chewers though. I only bought the black ones as Ivy was finding the red ones too easy to empty
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don't leave mine with Kongs not because of tongues getting stuck but one of mine will eat what ever is in it and continue eating, pulling tiny bit of rubber off!
I find it quite difficult with safe things to leave mine with simply because of the size difference in the dogs, what may be safe for one isn't for another.

Would a Yak chew be an option maybe?
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That's what she's been on today, it lasts longer than most before she gets fed up of it, was hoping that something that got sticky stuff stuck to it would keep her attention. Today she's had her lickit mat with peanut butter, yaker, tripe stick and duck toy to alternate between but looking at hers paws she's still choose them for a bit. Hopefully the sock things that fasten across her back will stop her, I've got some bite back silver cream to put on her feet to help calm them down and heal up.
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don't leave mine with Kongs not because of tongues getting stuck but one of mine will eat what ever is in it and continue eating, pulling tiny bit of rubber off!
I find it quite difficult with safe things to leave mine with simply because of the size difference in the dogs, what may be safe for one isn't for another.

Would a Yak chew be an option maybe?
Click to expand...
I have seen an entire Yak chew removed from a working cockerspaniel's intestine... (he was a serial offender and this was not his first rodeo, nor his last).
 
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