Chews and chewing: picking the right one for your dog 🦴

Chewing isn't a bad habit. It's one of the most natural things a dog does. They chew to explore, to pass the time, to settle themselves down, and (let's be honest) because it's brilliant fun. Give them nothing suitable and they'll find something themselves. Usually your skirting boards. Or your favourite shoes.

So the question isn't really whether to give your dog chews. It's which ones, and how to do it safely. After a lot of years as a vet nurse (and a house full of dogs who treat chewing as a competitive sport), here's my honest guide.

First, the safety bits

These matter more than which chew you pick.

• Supervise, always. Especially the first few times with a new chew. You'll soon learn how your dog tackles it.

• Go bigger, not smaller. Pick a size your dog can't fit in their mouth whole. If in doubt, size up.

• Know when to take it away. Once a chew is small enough to swallow, swap it for a fresh one. Those last little ends are where the choking risk is.

• Introduce new chews slowly. A new chew is a new food. Start with short sessions so their tummy can get used to it.

• Hardness check. A handy rule of thumb: if you wouldn't want it tapped against your kneecap, it's probably too hard for a dog with fragile teeth, a puppy, or an older dog.

• Count them as food. Chews have calories, some more than others. On a big chew day, knock a little off dinner.

• Stop and call your vet if you see blood, vomiting, diarrhoea, straining, or your dog goes off their food or seems flat after a chew.

What about rawhide?

You'll see rawhide everywhere, and it's cheap. We don't sell it. It's a heavily processed product, it softens into a slimy lump as it's chewed, and big pieces can be swallowed and get stuck. There are much better options, so let's talk about those.

For puppies and gentle chewers 🐶

Puppies lose their baby teeth and get their adult ones somewhere between about 4 and 7 months, and those gums can be sore. Softer, lighter chews are the way to go.

• Furry Rabbit Ears: light, crunchy and a lovely novel protein. The fur's all part of the fun (but it isn't a wormer, so keep up with their usual treatment).

• Natural Skin Chews: softer chews in a few different proteins, great if you're avoiding the usual suspects.

• Beef Trachea: hollow and chewy. Stuff it with paté and freeze it, and you've got a Chewb, which is lovely on sore puppy gums.

• Chicken Feet and Duck Necks: crunchy, quick chews (duck necks for pups over 4 months).

There's a whole Puppy-Friendly section in the shop if you want to browse.

For the in-betweeners

Dogs who like a decent chew but aren't trying to demolish the house.

• Pig's Ears and Pig Snouts: an all-time favourite. They're on the richer side, so keep them as a treat rather than an everyday thing, especially for dogs watching their waistline.

• Natural Collagen Chews: rolls and shapes that keep them busy for a good while.

• Ostrich Neck Chunks: a great chicken-free and beef-free option.

• Whole Rolled Rabbit Skin: a bigger rabbit chew for the rabbit fans.

• Paddywack: chewy, stringy and very satisfying.

For the power chewers 💪

You know who you are. These dogs need something that'll stand up to them.

• Bully Sticks: yes, they're exactly what you've heard they are (bull pizzle). Single ingredient, tough, and dogs go mad for them. Plain or braided, 12cm or 24cm. They do have a smell, so maybe not on the sofa.

• Cow Hooves: hard-wearing on their own, even better stuffed with Pure Paté and frozen.

• Jumbo Ostrich Bone: a big, long-lasting chew for big dogs.

• Yak Chews: made from milk, so they're meat-free, and very hard and long-lasting. When it gets down to a small end, pop it in the microwave for 30–45 seconds and it puffs up into a crunchy treat (let it cool first!).

• Antlers: naturally shed, no smell, no mess, and they last ages. I'll be honest: antlers are very hard, and whole ones can crack teeth. That's why we sell split antlers, which open up the softer middle for them to work at. Still one for confident adult chewers, and still supervised.

Meat-free chews 🌱

Perfect for dogs with sensitive tums, or just a change.

• Root Chews and Olive Wood Sticks: wood that wears down slowly rather than splintering like a garden stick. No calories, no smell.

• Sweet Potato Slices: a softer, chewy veggie option.

• Yak Chews (above) are meat-free too.

See the full Meat-Free range.

Got a dog with allergies or a sensitive tummy?

Single-ingredient chews make life a lot easier, because you know exactly what's in them. If you're avoiding chicken, have a look at our Chicken-Free section. Rabbit, ostrich and the meat-free chews are all good places to start. If your dog has a diagnosed food allergy, check with your vet before trying something new.

Not sure where to start?

Our Natural Chew Boxes are a mix of chews chosen to suit your dog, so you can find out what they love without buying a bag of everything. Or browse all our Long-Lasting Chews.

And if you're stuck, just ask. I'm always happy to help you pick. 🐾

🚚 FREE delivery in St Neots (PE19), and FREE UK delivery on orders over £15.

Carey x

Looking for more ways to keep your dog busy? Have a read of Environmental Enrichment for Dogs.