are true chews good for dogs
How to Pick Safe, Edible Dog Chews
If youve ever lost a shoe to your dogs teeth, you know how much dogs love to chew. It relieves the pain of puppy teething, exercises jaw muscles, andcleans your dogs teeth. Chewing is also great forbeating doggy boredomand can help your dogrelieve anxietyor frustration by giving them something enjoyable to focus on. Thankfully, there are all kinds ofchew toys on the market. Your dog may also love edible dog chews.
How do you know which dog chews are safe? This guide to choosing the perfect edible chew will help you sort through the options.
Know Your Dogs Style of Chewing
Every dog has their own chewing style. For example, aBoxeris more likely to be an aggressive chewer than aShih Tzu. And every dog has their own chewing preferences. Some dogs like a harder chew and others prefer softer chews. Plus, as your dog ages, their preferences can change. The tough chews your dog enjoys as an adolescent will probably be too hard when they become a senior dogwith dental issues.
Pick chews that suit your dogs personality, age, and chewing style. What is safe for one dog might not be a good choice for another. A dog treat may be edible, but that doesnt necessarily mean its safe. For example, if your dog breaks off large chunks and swallows them whole, that could lead to serious complications like choking or an obstructed bowel. Whenever you give your dog a new type of chew, always keep an eye on them to be sure its a safe choice.
What to Look for in an Edible Dog Chew
The following list will help you choose an appropriate chew:
- Hardness: Chews that are too hard can crack your dogs teeth or cut their gums.
- Durability: The chew should be strong enough to withstand vigorous chewing. If its too soft, your dog can break off chunks and swallow them whole, which is a health hazard.
- Long-lasting: Look for edible dog chews that will last. These options will keep your dog occupied for longer and provide more value.
- Size: Chews that are too small for your dog present a choking risk. Pick edible dog chews that are large enough so your dog cant get the entire thing in their mouth at once.
- Ingredients: Look for limited, natural ingredients. Avoid any flavorings or coatings that could upset your dogs stomach.
If you have any concerns about your choice of edible dog chews, consult your veterinarian.
Types of Edible Dog Chews
Here are some of the more common chews.
Rawhide
Rawhide, which is made from the inner layer of horse or cowhide, is a popular chew, but rawhide safety depends on the dog. Power chewers can break off large pieces. If your dog swallows these chunks, they can choke, or a piece can become lodged in their intestines.
Rawhide is also difficult to digest. Pieces will pass through the digestive system whole, which is why they pose an obstruction risk. If you choose to provide rawhide, prevent your dog from eating large pieces by removing any chunks as soon as your dog breaks them off. Once your dog has chewed the rawhide so that its small enough to swallow in one piece, take it away from your dog.
Bully Sticks
Unlike rawhide,bully sticks, sometimes known as pizzle sticks, are easily digestible. Single-ingredient chews made from beef muscle, bully sticks range in thicknesses and lengths. They also come braided and shaped for an extra-long chew. They do not splinter. Instead, the end of the stick becomes soft and acts like a toothbrush as your dog chews.
Most dogs simply gnaw the end of the stick. However, power chewers might bite straight through, producing large pieces that pose a choking risk, or swallow the entire stick whole. In that case, you can try placing the treat in a bully stick holder, which helps prevent your dog from breaking off too much at once. When your dog has chewed the stick down to a nub, take it away before they can swallow whats left.
Antlers
Antlers are all-natural chews that can come from a variety of animals, including deer or elk. Antlers for dogs come in a range of sizes and shapes and are incredibly long-lasting because they are so hard. However, their hardness can also make them a risky choice. Dogs can break their teeth on antlers, which is not only painful but expensive to treat. The hard surface can also cut your dogs gums.
But the greatest risk is from a shard of antler that splinters off. These shards can puncture or get stuck in your dogs mouth, throat, or intestines, leading to emergency surgery. Many veterinarians recommend avoiding antlers, but if you do provide them, always supervise your dog while they chew.
Yak Cheese Chews
A relatively new chew on the scene is the yak cheese chew. These hard blocks of dried cheese have just a few ingredients yaks milk (and sometimes cows milk), salt, and lime juice. The lactose content is low, so dogs generally digest them well, and they are hard enough to be long-lasting. Plus, they dont smell as bad as some other animal-based chews.
However, these edible dog chews still pose the same dangers. If your dog breaks off chunks, they can swallow the pieces and risk choking or bowel obstruction. Also, although these are cheese, they are quite hard and could lead to broken teeth. As with other chews, only give your dog a block large enough that they cant eat whole. Take away the yak chew as soon as it gets small enough to pose a hazard. Small pieces of yak cheese chews can be put into the microwave for short bursts of time until they puff and can be easily crunched up as a treat once cooled.
Tendons and Other Animal Parts
From beef trachea to pig ears, different animal parts are marketed as edible dog chews. Some are safer than others. Pig ears are often coated, which can upset your dogs stomach. Backstrap and other tendon chews are a safer choice, since theyre low in fat and high in protein and collagen.
Trachea is a softer chew that contains chondroitin and glucosamine, so it can be a good choice for a dog with joint issues. Finally, fish skin chews are shaped into bones or rolls. Although they smell fishy, they are a great source of omega three fatty acids.
Human-Made Edible Bones
There is a whole range of human-made edible bones available. Often called dental bones, these edible dog chews often help clean dog teeth. Look for a version that is highly digestible and has natural ingredients. And choose a bone size and shape appropriate for your dogs size.
Best Dog Dental Chews
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What are the Best Dental Chews for Dogs on the Market?
On this page, were gathering the best dental chews for dogs you can buy.
Well add a new selection each month, so dont worry if the chews you use arent here or if you dont like the look of any weve listed (although theyre all excellent).
We cant analyze dog dental chews in the same way we analyze dog food so weve tried to keep the chews as healthy and natural as possible avoiding nasty artificial additives and preservatives while making sure theyre still effective in keeping your dogs teeth clean.
Are Dental Chews Good For My Dog?
Dental chews are formulated for their dental health function, so they are not designed as a substitute to dog food, and should be eaten in moderation. Some dental chews claim to have added health benefits such as promoting skin health or aiding digestion, but generally, they contain a high calorie content and are not nutritionally balanced. Over-consumption of any chew or treat, can lead to obesity and other health complications.As with dog treats, dental chews can contain controversial ingredients, which is why we have put together a list of safer recommendations. Some of these may contain ingredients which we usually highlight as being controversial, but these provide the important dental health function needed for a dental chew such as plaque removal.
Do Dog Dental Chews Work?
Our founder, Dr. Mike Sagman, was a dentist and he knew the importance of doggy dental care. Dogs want to be able to chew bones, destroy fluffy rabbit toys and wow people with their adorable smiles and they need a healthy set of gnashers to do this.
Its vital you clean your dogs teeth or get them cleaned professionally because poor dental hygiene can lead to a host of health problems, not to mention the infamous dog breath.
Dog dental chews help to scrape away plaque and tartar. They cant replace teeth cleaning but dental chews are an excellent day-to-day addition to your dogs dental care routine.
(By the way, dry dog food does not clean your dogs teeth thats a myth.)
Here are our choices for the Best Dental Chews for Dogs. We hope they put a smile on your and your dogs face.
Please note:Some of our recommendations may contain ingredients which we usually highlight as being controversial, but these provide the important dental health function needed for a dental chew.
With a double-brush design and infused coconut and botanical oils, your pooch will have clean teeth and fresh breath just in time for the holidays.
Even the most stubborn of dogs will love cleaning their teeth with tasty Brushers. The unique design helps to reduce plaque and the natural recipe is free from artificial colors or preservatives.
PetLab Co. has crafted these dental chews with added prebiotics to support overall gum health, oral hygiene, and digestion. All while cleaning your dogs teeth and preventing tartar build-up.
PetLab Co. - Prebiotic dental sticks
A dental chew thats made with anxious pooches in mind. Not only will these chews clean your dogs teeth, they also contain natural, calming ingredients such as hemp and chamomile.
PetHonesty - Hemp calming fresh sticks
Jinx has developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also tough on plaque and help to freshen up bad breath.
Multi-textured dental treats which claim to give 360-degree brushing action. They're highly digestible, easy for your dog to hold and chew, plus they have a delicious filet mignon flavor.
Natural Nutrident - Easy hold trios
Vegan chickpea and mint dental sticks made in the USA with natural, regionally sourced ingredients. The recipe includes parsley, mint, and apple pomace powder to freshen breath, coconut glycerin to promote skin and coat health, plus a unique shape to remove tartar.
Dog Treat Naturals - Dental sticks
These dental chews are designed to be tough on plaque and the ideal size for medium to large dogs. They're made with real chicken for a tasty flavor, plus mint, parsley, and alfalfa to reduce doggy breath.
Loving Pets - Tooth sticks
The unique chewy texture of these dental treats will make them irresistible to your dog, with peppermint flavor bursts that also freshen breath. The recipe contains cranberries for their superfood qualities and no artificial preservatives or colors.
Ark Naturals - Breath bursts
The smart choice for your dog's dental health a unique and flexible shape to help remove stubborn tartar combined with breath-freshening peppermint. The ingredients are completely natural, with no artificial colors or flavors, and contain probiotics to support healthy digestion.
Whole Hearted - Smart smiles
An all-natural dental chew to keep even the biggest of pups occupied. The recipe includes yak's milk for its protein content and amino acids, and cow's milk for its healthy fatty acids.
Native Pet - X-Large yak chews
Whimzees halloween-edition dental chews have natural ingredients and a unique shape to fight tartar build-up. They're vegetarian, gluten-free, and highly digestible.
Whimzees by Wellness - Dental treats
These dental chews are made with ground oyster shells to help remove plaque, sweet potato for beta-carotene, and pumpkin spice for flavor. The limited ingredients are all-natural and contain no artificial nasties.
Crumps' Naturals - Plaque busters
Exactly what they say on the packet natural dental treats. These treats contain yolk antibodies to support your dog's immune system, collagen, and Vitamin C.
Natural Farm - Natural dental treats
Bacon-flavored dental chews which contain coconut oil for its anti-bacterial properties and ground oyster shells to remove plaque. The all-natural ingredients also contain sweet potato for added Vitamin A to support a healthy coat and immune system.
Caledon Farms - Plaque busters
Real chicken is the first ingredient in this dental jerky which is high in protein and formulated to support dental health. Parsley, spearmint oil, and dried seaweed meal also helps to freshen breath.
Each packet contains 18 frenchie-shaped, natural dog treats. The recipe contains oats which provide fiber and antioxidants, cranberries to reduce plaque, rice flour for protein, and coconut oil to reduce odor.
Natural Dog Company
Dental Treats
Dental Doubles have double the benefits fighting bacteria and reducing plaque. Their unique ingredient Rojelexin originates from Honey Bee Roayl Jell and breaks down bacteria to fight tartar.
Jinx have developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also designed to be tough on plaque. Recommended for large breeds.
Dental health biscuits are oven baked and formulated to promote oral health. The recipe contains hexametaphosphate to fight plaque plus eucalyptus, spearmint leaves, and parsley to reduce unpleasant doggy breath.
Vetdiet
Dental Health Biscuits
These innovative dental chews can be used with Starmark Everlasting Treat toys or given as a treat separately. Designed to be long lasting and tough on plaque, they have a tasty chicken flavor and are wheat-free.
Starmark
Everlasting Treats
Bring out your dogs wild side with these holistic chews which are easily digestible. Theyre made with natural ingredients and free of grain, gluten, corn or soy.
Twistix dental treats have a unique vanilla and mint flavor and help to freshen breath with ingredients like peppermint, parsley, and alfalfa. Their texture helps to clean teeth while satisfying your dogs urge to chew.
Twistix
Daily Dental Treats
Dental chews created by a well-known toothpaste brand which are shaped like gorillas. Strange, but functional. Theyre infused with baking soda to clean teeth and freshen breath, and they also have a delicious peanut butter and banana flavor.
Jinx dental treats are made with limited, natural ingredients and contain zero artificial preservatives or flavors. The deep grooves help to remove tartar and stubborn plaque while freshening breath.
Jinx
Dental Treats for Large dogs
The two natural ingredients, blueberries and grass-fed beef hide, in these dental treats are sourced and made in the US. The treats are easily digestible, high in protein and support gum health.
Exclusively Dog
Collagen + Superfood Chews With Benefits
Made with 100% baked fish skins and omega-3 fatty acids to boost coat, skin and joint health. These rough dental chews are great for removing tartar and are also hypoallergenic.
Fish4Dogs
Dental Sea Jerky Fish Knots
Who said dental chews had to taste like mint? These bacon flavored chews are 100% natural, highly digestible, and contain no lactose or corn. Theyre also easily digestible.
Himalayan Dog Chew
Happy Teeth with Bacon
This recipe contains sweet potato and ground oyster shells which are a good source of Vitamin A. The bacon-flavored treats also contain coconut oil which holds anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Caledon Farms
Plaque Busters
The six-point shape of these dental treats will help to remove the most stubborn plaque while the minty flavor will freshen up Fidos breath. True Acre also uses natural and easy digestible ingredients.
True Acre Foods
All Natural Dental Treats
Whats not to love about these peanut butter and banana flavor chews? With a vegan, natural, gluten-free recipe which contains probiotics, theyre good for your pups dental health and the environment.
ProDen
Mini Dental Care Bones
These unique 4-in-1 chews have an abrasive exterior and innovative toothpaste center , which work together to combat plaque and bad breath. They can also be eaten up to twice a day.
Ark Naturals
Brushless Toothpaste Dental Chews
Keep your dogs smile in mint condition with a knobbly, cleaning texture and a recipe which helps to freshen breath. These treats are also free of gluten, wheat, soy, corn and artificial flavors.
VetIQ
Minties Dental Treats
Every dog loves a fire hydrant but these ones are easily digestible. Theyre also grain-free and are made from limited, all-natural ingredients. Plus the unique shape helps to remove stubborn plaque.
Redbarn Chew-A-Bulls
Hydrant
Who said churros have to be smothered in chocolate? Your dog will love these soft, cheesy churros which help to maintain dental health. Theyre also free of lactose, gluten, and grain.
Himalayan Pet Supply
Churro Dog Chews
Your pooch has Pawstruck gold with these chews which are chemical-free, gluten-free, and contain zero hormones, wheat or corn. The unique shape is designed to tackle stubborn plaque too.
Pawstruck
Natural Dental Chews
Brush away poor dental hygiene with limited ingredient, gluten-free Brushzees. Ideal for dogs who love to chew with sensitive stomachs, these treats will polish teeth and freshen breath.
Whimzees by Wellness
Brushzees Dental Treats
Release your hounds wild side with Blue Buffalo. The natural shape of these bones helps to maintain gum health while chewing and the ingredients contain no grain, wheat, corn or soy.
Blue Wilderness Trail Treats
Wild Bones Dental Chews
Wipe on, wipe off. The ridges of these delicious carrot treats will quickly get rid of dental plaque, while the salmon oil will promote healthy skin and fur. The recipe is also grain-free!
Shameless Pets
Carrate Chomp Dental Stick Dog Treats
The natural, grain-free ingredients and added vitamins in these bones make them a great choice for improving oral health. The shape and texture cleans teeth effectively while parsley neutralizes bad breath.
Blue Buffalo Dental Bones
Bocces Bakery make their grain-free brushy sticks in the USA with locally sourced, natural ingredients. The recipe includes coconut and mint to get rid of bad breath and a bristle shape for cleaner teeth.
Bocces Bakery Brushy Sticks
A V-good option for our vegan canine friends. The plant-based, natural recipe includes broccoli, chia seeds, and sweet potato plus cinnamon for freshening breath and parsley for improving dental health.
Formulated to support a healthy digestive system with added fibre, vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics. These dental sticks are also low-calorie, grain-free, and low in fat which makes them the perfect daily treat.
Even the most stubborn of dogs will love cleaning their teeth with tasty Brushers. The unique design helps to reduce plaque and the natural recipe is free from artificial colors or preservatives.
Available in four sizes and packing a minty fresh flavor, these treats will be a favorite with our doggy friends. Theyre also made with digestible ingredients and without any rawhide.
Chewsday
Daily Dental Dog Chews
Help your furry friend get their protein hit with these natural treats, containing beef, pea flour and farm-raised chicken. Their coat will also be helped by the coconut glycerin.
DogTreatNaturals
Dental Sticks
Never turn away another doggy smooch with these dental chews. The double-brush design cleans teeth, while the real pumpkin flavor improves bad breath.
Jinx have developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also tough on plaque and help to freshen up bad breath.
Say see ya later alligator to bad doggy breath. These fun-shaped treats are designed to tackle hard-to-reach plaque and prevent tartar build-up. Theyre also gluten-free, vegetarian and made with natural ingredients.
Whimzees by Wellness
Alligator Dental Chews
This special formula will simultaneously freshen up your dogs breath and ease joint stiffness. Premium ingredients include Hemp Seed to support immune function, and eggshell membrane to promote hip and joint health.
ZestyPaws
Hemp Elements Mobility OraStix
PetLab Co. have crafted these dental chews with added prebiotics to support overall gum health, oral hygiene, and digestion. All while cleaning your dogs teeth and preventing tartar build-up. Clever, hey?
PetLab Co.
Prebiotic Dental Sticks
Fresh Sticks have a delicious peanut butter flavor and are formulated to support good dental health and doggy breath. Natural ingredients like quercetin, colostrum and omegas will also help when seasonal allergies come knocking.
PetHonesty
Allergy Support Fresh Sticks
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