Hi my vet has told me not to give marrow bones until my 4 month old pup is a year old.  He says they can slow down the metabolism and cause constipation so I am looking for something nice to give my dachshund puppy to chew on or play with that will keep him occupied gnawing and chewing for ages. I obviously won't give rawhide and I have tried Nylabones but he isn't keen on them at all.  He has a Kong that I leave when I pop out but can anyone Please recommend some edible and non edible chew and gnaw toys? Thank you so much

Hi,

I know some people have raised their concerns over normal Antlers, but what about the 'Easy Chews' from here http://www.antlerdogchews.co.uk/antler-dog-chews/easy-chews Mine aren't big chewers, but seem to enjoy these as the marrow is a lot easier to get to. I ended up putting one in all my puppy packs, as the puppies enjoyed playing with them and a nibble from time to time. I'm sure you'll get a lot more suggestions soon

I think when my first one was young I had a nylabone he chewed on (non edible one but I think it smelt of bacon or something) and a puppy kong. 

I used to buy one of the rawhide slippers and then stuff a puppy nutriboost ttreat in the tip of the slipper so he would spend hours chewing it and trying to get the treat out.... but I don't know if your boy may be too young for that yet. (I also only gave them big oversized chews so there was less risk of choking etc & only gave them anything to chew on when I was in the house.).

Slow down the metatbolism? What will -the marrow or the bones?  Sounds very odd to me. For pups I will happily give raw meaty bones such as rib bones, but if you don't want the mess and smell of them indoors, what I always use for pups are the sterilised, filled calcium bones that you can pick up in pretty much any pet shop or even super market these days.

The other obvious and easy chew toy would be a stuffed Kong. My own dogs actually go mad for the Nylabones.

There are 2 types of antlers the dark brown pointy ones which I think are from red deer. These are very very hard and have chipped some dogs teeth, too hard for my dog he wasn't keen. The other sort are the flatter light coloured fallow deer antler which are a lot softer and he loves chewing these. I also soak it in water occasionally to stop it drying out.

Anco roots seem to be a bit like marmite they either love them or hate them.

Dried tripe and thin pizzles are good chewing for a puppy.

I haven't seen antlers will keep my eyes peeled for them but I like the idea of the calcium bones I have seen those before will see how he gets on with one of those.
great ideas thank you :-)