Choose chew bones by your dog's chewing strength, not just size
The most important thing when choosing a chew bone is to match it to how hard and how long your dog chews, not just its weight. A small terrier can be a far more persistent chewer than a large, calm dog, and that determines how quickly the chew bone disappears and how safe it is.
A rule of thumb is that the chew bone should be big enough that the dog cannot fit it entirely inside its mouth or swallow it in a few bites. Large, persistent chewers need the hardest and most durable items, while puppies and older dogs with sensitive teeth benefit from softer types. In this collection we cover both extremes: from the soft, skin-based varieties to the sturdy COW DELIGHTS and MARROW BONE DELIGHTS, which last a long time for large dogs.
Regardless of type, you should always keep an eye on your dog while it chews, and take the item away once it becomes small enough to be swallowed whole.
How long and how often your dog may chew
For most dogs, 10 to 30 minutes at a time is a suitable chewing period with a natural chew bone. Many dogs regulate themselves, but an eager chewer can work its way through a soft item faster than the stomach can keep up, and that can cause loose stools.
How often depends on how fatty and calorie-rich the item is. Fattier chew bones such as those made of skin or marrow bones are more filling and should not be given daily to a dog that already gains weight easily. Lighter, leaner items like dried fish can be tolerated more often by most dogs. Remember that chew bones count towards the total daily energy intake on par with treats, so cut back the food accordingly on days with a large chew bone. If you want to read more about that balance, we have gathered advice in the article on how many treats a dog can have
Always introduce a new chew bone gradually. Give a short piece the first few times and see how the dog reacts before you let it chew for longer.
How chewing helps teeth and gums
When the dog chews, soft deposits are scraped off the teeth before they have time to harden into tartar, and the increased saliva production rinses the mouth through. It is the mechanical chewing itself that does the good, not some particular miracle ingredient. That is why a chew bone the dog has to work on for several minutes is better for the teeth than one that is gone in an instant.
The effect is greatest on the molars, which do most of the chewing work, and smaller on the incisors and canines. Chewing does not replace tooth brushing, but is a good supplement between brushings. If you want to do more for the teeth, you can read how to brush a dog's teeth
At the same time, be aware that very hard items can in principle crack a tooth in powerful chewers. A chew bone that bends a little or wears down over time is gentler than something rock-hard.
Beef, lamb, pork, wild boar or rabbit
The protein source determines both the taste, durability and how suitable the chew bone is for a dog with a sensitive stomach or allergy. In the collection you will find a wide range of meat sources, so you can hit both the taste buds and any special considerations.
Beef-based BEEF DELIGHTS are a classic that most dogs know and tolerate. If you want to try something the dog rarely encounters, a new protein source can be a good choice, especially if it reacts to the most common meats. Here RABBIT DELIGHTS, WILD BOAR DELIGHTS and PORK DELIGHTS are obvious ones to try. Lamb is likewise a mild alternative, available as LAMB DELIGHTS.
If you have a dog that needs a single meat source across both food and treats, it can make sense to stick to the same protein all the way round. More about that in the article on allergy-friendly dog food.
Fish chew bones for the lean treat
Dried fish is one of the leanest chew bones you can give, and therefore a good choice for dogs that need to keep their weight down, or that cannot tolerate much fat. Fish also naturally provides omega 3, the same fatty acids known to support coat and skin.
In the collection there are several fish varieties in different sizes, including ICELAND FISH DELIGHTS, NORTH SEA CHEWY FISH DELIGHTS as well as cod skin such as SMALL COD FISH DELIGHTS and LARGE COD FISH DELIGHTS. The tough fish skins require the dog to chew and pull at them, which provides both occupation and a gentle grinding of the teeth.
If you want to boost omega 3 in everyday life beyond chew bones, you can read more in what fish oil is good for
Rolled chew bones and skin for long chewing sessions
If you want a chew bone that keeps the dog occupied for a really long time, the rolled and skin-based types are good. They force the dog to work its way into the middle, which provides both a longer chewing time and more mental stimulation than a treat that disappears in an instant.
They come in different sizes, so you can match the dog's jaw: SMALL ROLLED DELIGHTS for the smaller dogs and LARGE ROLLED DELIGHTS for the larger ones. If you want a purely skin-based item, SKIN DELIGHTS and lamb skin such as SMALL LAMB SKIN DELIGHTS are softer choices that also suit dogs with slightly sensitive teeth.
That very long-lasting chewing is worth using deliberately. A chew bone is a good calming activity when the dog needs to learn to settle down, for example when it is being trained to be alone. More about that in how to teach a dog to be home alone
Chew bones for puppies and older dogs
Puppies and older dogs both need softer chew bones, but for different reasons. The puppy's teething makes the gums tender, and during teething a soft chew bone can relieve the itching in the gums. Here you should choose the smallest and most yielding items and avoid the hard marrow and beef bones until the teeth are firmly in place. We have gathered advice in when puppies may have chew bones
In older dogs the teeth may be worn or weak, and the gums more sensitive. Here the soft fish skins and skin varieties are often a better choice than the rock-hard items that a young, strong dog can easily handle. Keep an extra eye on an older dog while it chews, so it does not overload a weak tooth.
Natural chew bones without unnecessary additives
A good chew bone fundamentally consists of one thing: the raw ingredient it is made from, without superfluous additives, sugar or artificial colours. This makes it easier for the dog to digest and easier for you to know exactly what your dog is chewing on, especially if it has a delicate stomach or allergy.
Natural chew bones such as dried meat, skin and fish are at the same time one of the gentler choices compared to heavily processed chewing products. If you want to dive into what different chew bones are actually made of, and how to assess the quality, you can read natural chew bones for dogs and what chew bones are made of
A chew bone should always be given together with plenty of fresh water, and it should be supplemented by a good daily food, not replace part of the meal.
