4 Out of 5 Veterinarians Surveyed Recommend the Bow Wow Buddy Safety Device for Safer Chewing

Independent Research Shows Strong Veterinarian Support of Bow Wow Buddy Safety Device
with Many Dog Parents Unaware of Choking Hazards

Dog choking incidents result in 1 million vet visits and $450M in expenses each year

AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bow Wow Labs, the leader in pet safety innovation and creator of the first safety chewing device for dogs, announces the results of a 2025 national in-home user trial demonstrating strong support from veterinarians for its Bow Wow Buddy. As the first-of-its-kind, the Bow Wow Buddy effectively secures bully sticks to prevent dogs from choking or suffering intestinal blockage from the last inch of a chew. The findings of the study not only reinforce Bow Wow Labs' creation of the "safer chewing" category but also establish the Bow Wow Buddy safety device as the trusted standard veterinarians recommend.

Commissioned by Bow Wow Labs and independently administered, the five-week user trial involved 220 companion animal veterinarians from across the country, all of whose practices dedicate 50% or more of their services to dogs and cats. After hands-on experience using the Bow Wow Buddy safety device with long-term chews, such as bully sticks or yak chews, the veterinarians overwhelmingly recommended it.

Key findings from the 2025 study include:

• 4 out of 5 veterinarians surveyed recommend the Bow Wow Buddy after firsthand experience;
• 85% of veterinarians recommend the use of a safety device for patients who use chew sticks; and
• 88% of veterinarians would trust the Bow Wow Buddy for use with their own dogs.

"This isn't just a positive review – it's a resounding endorsement," said Brian O'Neil, CEO of Bow Wow Labs. "Veterinarians trust the Bow Wow Buddy because it works. We're proud to offer a veterinarian supported solution that prevents choking hazards and helps pets chew safely."

Bully sticks and long-term chews can be given to dogs to keep them busy and help them self-soothe, but these treats should be properly secured to help prevent choking when dogs get to the end of the chew.

Dog Choking Hazards – A Big, Expensive Problem You May Have Never Heard Of 
Another recent third-party study commissioned by Bow Wow Labs quantified the risks associated with not using a dog chew safety device and underscored the need for more pet parent education on the subject of safer chewing. The 2024 study found:

• Half of all dog parents provide chew sticks on a weekly basis or more often, but 60% of them are unaware of the related health risks.
• Veterinarians estimate more than 5.5 million dogs swallow an unchewed portion of a chew stick each year, leading to more than 1 million vet visits and $450 million in expenses for dog parents.

With these recent studies, Bow Wow Labs reaffirms its commitment to pet safety and innovation, ensuring pet parents have access to smart, safe solutions they can trust.

About the Bow Wow Buddy
The Bow Wow Buddy is the first-of-its-kind safety device proven effective at keeping bully sticks, split antlers, cheese chews, yak chews, collagen sticks, salmon skins and other chews securely in place, helping prevent dogs from swallowing dangerous end pieces that could result in choking or intestinal blockage. No other product in the category has earned this level of clinical support or veterinarian-backed validation.

Reengineered in 2024 with an improved Twist Screw, the Bow Wow Buddy bully stick and chew holder was created for and tested by dogs of all sizes. Veterinarian-approved and third-party tested, the Bow Wow Buddy comes in five sizes to accommodate dogs of any weight. It's made in the United States of durable, BPA-free nylon and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

The Bow Wow Buddy and other Bow Wow Labs products are available at BowWowLabs.com, Chewy and Amazon. During April, Bow Wow Labs is offering 20% off sitewide and free shipping.

About Bow Wow Labs
Founded in 2018, Bow Wow Labs develops innovative products to keep Americans' 65 million-plus dogs safer, happier and healthier. As creator of the Bow Wow Buddy®, the first safety chewing device for dogs, Bow Wow Labs helps dogs enjoy treats and satisfy their instinctual desire to chew while giving pet parents peace of mind.

The company created National Pet Choking Prevention Day, which falls on June 22 every year, to raise awareness of pet choking and ways to prevent it. Bow Wow Labs was named one of the 10 fastest-growing U.S. pet companies on the Inc. 5000 List of America's fastest-growing private companies in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The company also was honored as "Best New Emerging Brand" at SuperZoo 2022, the largest North American pet retail event, and earned the 2024 Pet Insight Vanguard Award for Pet Safety that recognized the company's industry leadership and innovation in the pet industry. For more information, visit bowwowlabs.com.

Media Contact:
Elaina Boudreau
913.660.0548 / [email protected]

SOURCE Bow Wow Labs