Are you looking for THE BEST dental chew on the market? But fed up with all the artificial ingredients in pet-store dental sticks? Maybe your vet has just told you that your dog needs better dental care? Or maybe you want to prevent your dog from needing a scale and polish in the future? Well, ostrich tendons might be for you!
In this blog we will look at where ostrich tendons come from, how they’re made, what their benefits are and why you might want to give one to your dog.
Key facts
Ostrich tendons are an excellent natural option for a long-lasting chew
They will help clean your dog’s teeth and provide plenty of entertainment.
They are also packed full of nutrients and are an excellent choice for dogs with allergies because they are a novel protein
What are Ostrich Tendons?
Ostrich tendons come from the leg tendons of ostriches which have been farmed for meat.
Ostrich tendons are most commonly available as dried products. Our tendons are slow-dried with a low heat, and wood-smoked. They can be purchased braided or “as is”, depending on how tough a chew you’d like. Braided ostrich tendons take a little longer to get through.
Benefits of Ostrich Tendons for Dogs
Ostrich tendons are completely natural products with no additives. They are high in protein, low in fat, low in cholesterol and rich in calcium and iron.
On a dry matter basis, they have the following approximate nutritional makeup:
Dried Ostrich Tendons Nutrition
Nutrition | |
Protein | 84% |
Fibre | 10% |
Fat | 1% |
Minerals | |
Calcium | High |
Iron | High |
The main draw to ostrich tendons is their dental health properties. They are initially firm to chew, which creates an abrasive action against the teeth, helping to remove plaque. Once they have been chewed and softened, it becomes more fibrous. The fibres act like dental floss to get out that stubborn food build-up.
In addition to the dental benefits, ostrich tendons can keep your dog distracted for anywhere between 20 minutes and a whole day or more (depending on how strong a chewer they are). Chewing also stimulates the release of endorphins which help to calm nerves and anxiety, so if your dog is a worrier, they might benefit from these chews.
Finally, ostrich is a novel protein, which many dogs have not tried before. Therefore, it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. As a result, it is classified as hypoallergenic, and even dogs with food allergies usually tolerate ostrich very well.
A Very Safe Treat
There’s nothing inherently unsafe about ostrich tendons for dogs.
Ostrich tendons are high in protein and rich in nutrients, so if your dog consumes a lot when he is not used to it, it might cause him to have a mild runny tummy. Therefore, gradually introduce it, by giving smaller tendons first, or taking it away after a period of time if not finished.
Other than that, ostrich tendons are very safe for dogs and rarely cause an issue.
Remember that even though ostrich tendons are low in fat, they still contain calories, so if your dog is overweight, it is worth limiting his consumption of any treat to aid him achieve the correct weight.
Even if your dog is not overweight, ostrich tendons will still contribute to your dog’s daily energy needs, so remember to remove some of your dog’s food from his bowl to make up for the added calories from the tendon.
Ostrich Tendons for Puppies
Puppies can have ostrich tendons from 12 weeks old. They can be an excellent option for preventing your puppy from chewing on furniture when they are teething, and will help soothe sore gums. In addition to that, ostrich chews are not rock-hard, so they will not damage delicate puppy teeth.
It is important to ensure your puppy has ostrich tendons in moderation though. While the protein content is excellent for providing the building blocks for growing muscles, ostrich tendons also have a high calcium content, and ideally puppies should receive their calcium requirement from a balanced, commercial puppy food. Therefore one or two small tendons per week as a puppy is plenty, which can be increased when your dog is an adult.
There is many different tendons to choose from.
· Ostrich Twines: These are braided tendons, perfect for a longer chew. It comes 2 in a pack.
· Ostrich Spoons: These are flat tough tendons and are very popular. It comes 10 in a pack.
· Ostrich Tidbits: Naturally dried ostrich finger tendons.
· Ostrich Long Tendons are a delicious tough chew, will keep them busy for a while.
· Ostrich Knee Caps is a smaller chew and gives pets a proper jaw work-out.
· Ostrich Ears is also very popular.
We have different Tendon Chews in different shapes and sizes. Check out our Tendon Range!!
