Chewing is instinctive for dogs and supports their emotional, cognitive, and dental health. It helps relieve boredom, reduces cortisol levels, and alleviates stress. Chewing also boosts cognitive abilities by providing mental stimulation and can improve dental health by decreasing tartar, strengthening gums, and exercising jaw muscles. In fact, chewing can even tire out your dog!
When selecting chew items, consider your dog’s age, size, and dental health. Many dental chews on the market contain undesirable ingredients, so here are some recommended options:
(NOTE: Cooked bones should NEVER be given to dogs. ONLY feed raw bones.)
Raw Bones
Raw bones can be a safe choice but should be supervised to detect splintering. Poultry feet, wings, necks, and backs are softer and digestible, making them less risky. Larger bones can splinter and cause injuries, so monitor your dog and remove any problematic pieces.
Tips for feeding raw bones:
- Freeze bones to minimize mess.
- Designate a specific spot for chewing (e.g., a linoleum floor, outside, crate, or bathtub).
- Sanitize the area and clean your dog's muzzle and paws to prevent spreading bacteria after your dog has finished chewing.
- Refrigerate bones between uses to avoid bacteria growth and splintering.
Recommended Chews
- Chicken and Duck Feet
- Low in calories and fat, making them ideal for dogs needing to manage their weight.
- Rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, beneficial for joint health.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs. Larger dogs can eat them but won’t get much chewing activity.
- Beef Trachea
- Low in calories and fat.
- Good for joints due to high glucosamine and chondroitin content.
- Available in sizes for small, medium, large, and giant dogs.
- Chicken Wings (edible bones)
- Low in calories and fat.
- High in glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Can be used as a calcium source for homemade raw diets. If you are feeding a commercial diet, feed these only occasionally to dogs to avoid an inappropriate increase in calcium.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs. Larger dogs can eat them but won’t get much chewing activity.
- Raw Chicken Necks (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions accordingly.
- Good for homemade raw diets and occasional treats for dogs eating commercially prepared diets.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs, and cats.
- Raw Turkey Necks (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions as needed.
- Good for homemade raw diets and occasional treats in commercial diets.
- Suitable for medium, large, and giant dogs.
- Raw Lamb, Pork, Venison, Beef Ribs; Pork Feet; Pork and Ox Tail (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions accordingly.
- Good as a calcium source for homemade raw diets and occasional treats in commercially prepared diets.
- Suitable for large and giant dogs.
- Knuckles, Hock Bones, Kneecaps, Necks from Cattle, Bison, Elk, Moose, or Deer (non-edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions as needed.
- Appropriate chew for large and giant breed dogs.
- These bones should not be eaten. They are for gnawing only to remove cartilage and marrow.
- Supervise your dog and remove any fragmented pieces. Marrow can cause digestive upset, so limit chewing time.
- Digestible Chews (Pizzles/Bully Sticks, Rolled Salmon Skins)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions if needed.
- Can cause digestive upset if overconsumed.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs, and larger dogs if they are not aggressive chewers. Use a Bully Stick Holder to prevent swallowing small pieces.
- Avoid chews that are smoked or treated with chemicals.
- Rubber Chews (Kong/Toppl/Qwizl) Stuffed with Goodies
- Ensure you use the appropriate size and hardness. Larger sizes are better for big dogs to prevent swallowing.
- These toys can be stuffed with food and frozen to enhance interest and avoid excessive calorie intake.
- Suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages. Choose harder ones for aggressive chewers and softer ones for puppies.
Chews to Avoid
- Pig Ears
- High in fat and can lead to weight gain or pancreatitis.
- Can cause choking and greasy stains on furniture.
- Some may be treated with harsh chemicals.
- Sticks
- Can cause puncture injuries and are risky if swallowed.
- Nylon or Other Hard Man-Made Material Chews
- May fracture teeth and can lead to digestive issues if ingested.
- Deer Antlers, Water Buffalo Hooves/Horns, Yak Cheese, Cow Hooves
- Very hard and can crack or chip teeth. They may also cause intestinal blockage if swallowed whole.
Choosing the right chew for your dog can greatly benefit their health and happiness. Always supervise chewing sessions and consult with Holistic Veterinary Options if you have concerns about specific chews.
Chewing is instinctive for dogs and supports their emotional, cognitive, and dental health. It helps relieve boredom, reduces cortisol levels, and alleviates stress. Chewing also boosts cognitive abilities by providing mental stimulation and can improve dental health by decreasing tartar, strengthening gums, and exercising jaw muscles. In fact, chewing can even tire out your dog!
When selecting chew items, consider your dog’s age, size, and dental health. Many dental chews on the market contain undesirable ingredients, so here are some recommended options:
(NOTE: Cooked bones should NEVER be given to dogs. ONLY feed raw bones.)
Raw Bones
Raw bones can be a safe choice but should be supervised to detect splintering. Poultry feet, wings, necks, and backs are softer and digestible, making them less risky. Larger bones can splinter and cause injuries, so monitor your dog and remove any problematic pieces.
Tips for feeding raw bones:
- Freeze bones to minimize mess.
- Designate a specific spot for chewing (e.g., a linoleum floor, outside, crate, or bathtub).
- Sanitize the area and clean your dog's muzzle and paws to prevent spreading bacteria after your dog has finished chewing.
- Refrigerate bones between uses to avoid bacteria growth and splintering.
Recommended Chews
- Chicken and Duck Feet
- Low in calories and fat, making them ideal for dogs needing to manage their weight.
- Rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, beneficial for joint health.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs. Larger dogs can eat them but won’t get much chewing activity.
- Beef Trachea
- Low in calories and fat.
- Good for joints due to high glucosamine and chondroitin content.
- Available in sizes for small, medium, large, and giant dogs.
- Chicken Wings (edible bones)
- Low in calories and fat.
- High in glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Can be used as a calcium source for homemade raw diets. If you are feeding a commercial diet, feed these only occasionally to dogs to avoid an inappropriate increase in calcium.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs. Larger dogs can eat them but won’t get much chewing activity.
- Raw Chicken Necks (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions accordingly.
- Good for homemade raw diets and occasional treats for dogs eating commercially prepared diets.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs, and cats.
- Raw Turkey Necks (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions as needed.
- Good for homemade raw diets and occasional treats in commercial diets.
- Suitable for medium, large, and giant dogs.
- Raw Lamb, Pork, Venison, Beef Ribs; Pork Feet; Pork and Ox Tail (edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions accordingly.
- Good as a calcium source for homemade raw diets and occasional treats in commercially prepared diets.
- Suitable for large and giant dogs.
- Knuckles, Hock Bones, Kneecaps, Necks from Cattle, Bison, Elk, Moose, or Deer (non-edible bones)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions as needed.
- Appropriate chew for large and giant breed dogs.
- These bones should not be eaten. They are for gnawing only to remove cartilage and marrow.
- Supervise your dog and remove any fragmented pieces. Marrow can cause digestive upset, so limit chewing time.
- Digestible Chews (Pizzles/Bully Sticks, Rolled Salmon Skins)
- Higher in calories; adjust meal portions if needed.
- Can cause digestive upset if overconsumed.
- Suitable for toy, small, and medium dogs, and larger dogs if they are not aggressive chewers. Use a Bully Stick Holder to prevent swallowing small pieces.
- Avoid chews that are smoked or treated with chemicals.
- Rubber Chews (Kong/Toppl/Qwizl) Stuffed with Goodies
- Ensure you use the appropriate size and hardness. Larger sizes are better for big dogs to prevent swallowing.
- These toys can be stuffed with food and frozen to enhance interest and avoid excessive calorie intake.
- Suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages. Choose harder ones for aggressive chewers and softer ones for puppies.
Chews to Avoid
- Pig Ears
- High in fat and can lead to weight gain or pancreatitis.
- Can cause choking and greasy stains on furniture.
- Some may be treated with harsh chemicals.
- Sticks
- Can cause puncture injuries and are risky if swallowed.
- Nylon or Other Hard Man-Made Material Chews
- May fracture teeth and can lead to digestive issues if ingested.
- Deer Antlers, Water Buffalo Hooves/Horns, Yak Cheese, Cow Hooves
- Very hard and can crack or chip teeth. They may also cause intestinal blockage if swallowed whole.
Choosing the right chew for your dog can greatly benefit their health and happiness. Always supervise chewing sessions and consult with Holistic Veterinary Options if you have concerns about specific chews.