My Favorite Chews for Dogs
I've been working with dogs for over 20 years now, and I've found that intentionally consumable chews (i.e. edible products the dog is actually meant to ingest) are the most attractive choice for dogs and puppies.
Here are three of my favorites!
For Puppies
The No-Hide Roll is a good chew option for puppies who want to chew everything.
No-Hide Rolls. This rawhide alternative made from brown rice flour and gelatin comes in six regular flavors and two plant-based options. They get very soggy with slobber, but have minimal odor.
Although they are a good choice, they aren’t very durable, so I only use them with puppies or very small, gentle adult chewers.
Find them at most brick-and-mortar pet stores and online.
Honorable Mention: these Collagen Sticks from Pawstruck are a more recent find, but I’ve been liking them! They may even take over No-Hide’s title as Favorite-for-Puppies.
For Small Dogs
The Jumbo Beef Tendon is a good chew option for smaller dogs like my Corgi friend.
Jumbo Beef Tendon. These single-ingredient chews can be found in the bulk department of Austin’s own Tomlinson’s Feed.
Tougher than a No-Hide Roll, but still fairly small, they work best for smaller dogs. They have some odor, but it’s not overwhelmingly offensive — and I have a sensitive sniffer!
For Medium and Large Dogs
The Beef Hide Roll is my go-to chew recommendation for medium to large dogs!
Beef Hide Roll from Farm Hounds. If you’ve got a medium to large dog, or a power-chewer, these hides from pasture-raised cattle are the way to go.
They’re a bit spendy, but last a long time, and are the only actual rawhide product I recommend.
So natural you can get ‘em with the fur still on!
Available online only.
Safety and Sizing Guidelines
Chewing is important, but it comes with inherent risks. Minimize the dangers and maximize the enrichment with the following precautions:
Always supervise your dog or puppy until you know how he uses a new chew
Size up for a safer and longer-lasting chew
Throw chews away when they get small enough to become a choking hazard — usually the last 3 or 4 inches depending on how large your dog is.
(My rule is that anything small enough to completely fit inside their mouth is too small.)Alternately, consider a dog chew holder like this one so it’s nearly impossible for your dog to swallow the last few inches of his chew.
Always Trade Instead of Take when you need to remove a chew. Consumable chews like are very valuable to most dogs, so it’s understandably disappointing to have them taken away.
Providing an extra yummy treat to trade can reduce any conflict and make a yucky experience a little less yucky.* Tap here to watch me do it.
*If your dog has a history of growling, snarling, snapping or biting over high value food items, please consult a qualified dog behavior professional before trying these chews or techniques. Tap here for recommended dog trainers in the Austin, TX area.
I want to hear from you!
What chews work well for your dog?
Meet the Dog Trainer and Blog Author
Leighann founded Koinonia Dogs in 2014 and has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in the Austin, TX area since 2019.
She's a problem-solver by nature and loves creating cooperation through conflict-free communication so both ends of the leash enjoy life together.
