Chew bones

A chew that is chosen correctly and given under supervision isn't dangerous, but three things are worth knowing. Rawhide is sometimes bleached to make it white and even, and cheap imported chews can contain glue or undeclared raw material – so look for chews that state which animal and which part they come from. A chew that is smaller than your dog's mouth opening can be swallowed whole, so it is better to choose one that is too big than too small. And very hard chews such as antlers can, in rare cases, crack a tooth in a dog that chews very forcefully.

From the time the puppy starts eating solid food, which usually means around eight weeks, when it comes home. Start with the softest options and short chewing sessions under supervision. During teething, between about four and seven months of age, the jaw is extra sensitive – soft chews are better than hard ones then, and antlers should wait until the permanent teeth are in place.

Most dogs manage one chewing session a day without any problems, but chews are high in energy and should be counted as part of the daily ration. If you give a large chew several days in a row, you may need to make up for it with a little less food. A long-lasting chew, such as an antler, doesn't need to be given every day – put it away between sessions and bring it out again later.

Take it away. When a piece has become so small that your dog can swallow it whole, it is a choking risk, and it is at the end of a chew that accidents happen. Swap the last piece for a new chew instead of letting your dog finish it.

It is usually down to hardness or smell. A dog that is new to chews gives up on something that is too hard, and then a softer option such as reindeer hide or fallow deer hide is a better start. Fussy dogs tend to go for chews with a stronger taste, such as game or chews filled with meat. It is also common for the interest to come after a couple of tries – offer the chew when your dog is calm rather than in the middle of an activity.

Usually yes, if the chew is made from a single declared raw material. What tends to upset a sensitive stomach is additives and unfamiliar protein, not the chewing itself. Lamb, rabbit and reindeer are common choices for dogs that don't tolerate beef or chicken. Introduce one chew at a time and keep sessions short for the first few days, so you can see what works.