Short answer: There is no single best chew for every dog. The best choice is a chew that suits your dog's age, teeth, chewing style and stomach. Puppies and senior dogs usually do best with soft or medium-hard chews such as ears, lung or meat strips. A healthy adult chewer can also cope with tougher chews, such as bully sticks or head skin rolls.
Which chew is best for my dog?
You can find the right chew by answering four questions:
- Age and teeth: is your dog a teething puppy, an adult with strong teeth or a senior with sensitive teeth?
- Chewing style: does your dog nibble calmly, or try to swallow everything as quickly as possible?
- Stomach and allergies: does your dog tolerate every protein source, or react to certain types of meat?
- Purpose: are you looking for a quick reward or a chew that will keep your dog busy for a while?
With those answers, you can quickly see in the table below which types to rule out. You'll find our full range among our chews for dogs.
How do 15 types of chews compare?
The table gives a general overview. Hardness and chewing time vary by size, by batch and by dog. A determined chewer will finish much faster than a calm nibbler.
| Type | Hardness | Chewing time | Puppy | Senior | Allergy | Smell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef lung | Soft, airy | Short | Yes | Yes | Single source (beef) | Mild |
| Meat strips | Soft | Short | Yes | Yes | Choose by animal type | Mild |
| Ears | Soft to medium | Short (beef ear longer) | Yes, small ears | Yes | Rabbit, goat or lamb as an alternative | Mild to medium |
| Beef tripe | Soft to medium | Short | Yes, soft forms | Yes | Beef, check for additives | Strong |
| Trachea | Medium, crunchy | Short to medium | Yes, in small pieces | Yes | Single source, see label | Mild |
| Fish skin | Medium | Short | Yes | Yes | Fish as an alternative | Strong |
| Necks and wings | Crunchy, with small bones | Short | Under supervision | Yes | Single source (poultry) | Medium |
| Feet | Crunchy to hard | Short to long | Chicken and duck under supervision | Chicken and duck | Many animal types | Medium |
| Dried skin | Medium | Medium | Small pieces | Yes | Single source, see label | Mild to medium |
| Head skin roll | Tough | Medium to long | Thin varieties | With good teeth | Beef, horse, goat or lamb | Medium |
| Bully stick | Tough to hard | Long | Thin tips, under supervision | With good teeth | Beef or horse | Strong |
| Rawhide | Tough | Long | No | Limited | Often two sources | Low |
| Chew bones | Tough to hard | Long | No | Limited | Beef, see label | Low to medium |
| Hooves | Very hard | Long | No | No | Check the filling | Strong |
| Antler and horn | Very hard | Very long | No | No | Deer, buffalo or lamb | Low to medium |
Which chew suits a puppy?
During teething, roughly from 3 to 4 months until 6 to 7 months, the teeth and gums are sensitive. Choose soft chews in small pieces during this time: beef lung, meat strips, trachea or rabbit ears such as Canis Konijnenoren met haar. Avoid very hard chews such as antler, horn, hooves and pressed bones during this period. What is and isn't suitable at each age is set out in from what age can a puppy have chews.
Which chew is suitable for a senior dog?
Older dogs often have worn or sensitive teeth. Soft and medium-hard chews are then the safest choice: lung, ears, meat strips, fish skin and tripe. If your senior still has strong teeth, a thin head skin roll or Canis Kalfspees 15CM can also work. Avoid very hard chews. If in doubt, have your vet check your dog's teeth first.
What should you give a dog with a sensitive stomach or allergies?
Beef, dairy, chicken and wheat are among the protein sources that most often cause food allergies in dogs. If your dog has an allergy, choose a chew with a single protein source that your dog hasn't had before or tolerates well. Examples include Canis Lamsoren, Canis Geitenkophuid or Canis Paardenkophuid-rollen. Watch out for combined chews, such as rawhide with chicken or filled hooves. These contain more than one protein source.
Introduce a new chew in small amounts first. Keep an eye on your dog's stools and skin for a few days. If your dog develops symptoms, consult your vet. You'll find more background in grain-free dog treats and allergies.
What is suitable for a determined chewer?
A determined chewer wants a chew that lasts a long time, but it is precisely these dogs that run the greatest risk of a broken tooth. Tough chews with a bit of give are therefore often a better choice than very hard ones. Think of a thick bully stick, a head skin roll or a pressed bone in a generous size.
If you still want to give antler or horn, use the thumbnail rule: if you can't make a small dent in it with your nail, the chew is hard. If in doubt, choose something softer. You can read why some chews carry more risk in which chews are safe for dogs.
Ingrid's tip: If you're torn between two types, order a small pack of each first. You'll soon see how your dog chews, how long it keeps him busy and how his stomach reacts. After that, you'll know exactly what you want to buy in a larger quantity.
How do you give a chew safely?
- Choose a size your dog can't swallow in one go.
- Stay with your dog while he chews and take away the last small piece.
- Always make sure fresh water is available.
- Never give cooked bones, as they can splinter.
- Store chews in a dry, sealed container, and wash your hands after giving them.
Keep an eye on the amount as well. All treats together should provide no more than about 10 per cent of the daily energy intake. If you give a lot of treats, feed a little less of the main food. A worked example can be found in how many treats can a dog have per day.
Frequently asked questions
Which chew lasts the longest?
Antler, horn and hooves last the longest, but they are also the hardest. For many dogs, a thick bully stick or head skin roll offers a better balance between chewing time and safety.
Which chew smells the least?
Beef lung, meat strips and rawhide generally have little smell. Tripe, bully sticks and fish skin, on the other hand, have a strong smell, and many dogs love them for it.
Does a chew replace tooth brushing?
No. Chewing can complement dental care, but brushing and check-ups at the vet are still necessary.
How often can my dog have a chew?
That depends on the size of the chew and on your dog. Stick to the 10 per cent rule and count chews along with the other treats given that day.
Sources
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, Global Nutrition Guidelines (treats no more than about 10 per cent of daily energy intake)
- Mueller, Olivry and Prélaud (BMC Veterinary Research), Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats (common allergens in dogs)
- Dierenkliniek De Arker, Risico's van hondensnacks (choking, broken teeth and supervision)
About the author
Ingrid Kooijman is the founder of Canis Snacks. She selects natural single-protein dog treats, sells them online and at markets in Brabant, and answers dog owners' questions about food and chews every day. Questions about this article? Email info@canissnacks.com.
