Natural Chews for Dogs: How to Choose Based on Your Dog's Size and Chewing Habits

TL;DR (in short) Natural chews for dogs are dried animal-based treats (e.g., scalps, tracheas, ears, cheese bones) that satisfy a dog's natural urge to chew. The right chew is chosen based on its hardness (nibbles → lighter → medium → extra hard), the dog's size and chewing intensity, and the type of protein (for sensitive dogs – a single type of protein, such as rabbit, salmon, or horse meat). Regular chewing can help maintain dental hygiene naturally, keep the dog occupied, and calm it down. Always supervise chewing, select an appropriate size, and consider it part of the dog's daily caloric intake.

Many dog owners are familiar with the situation: a chewed shoe or furniture corner. However, chewing is not mischief for a dog – it is an innate, calming behavior that helps release energy and overcome boredom. A properly selected natural chew satisfies this need safely and with health benefits.

In this guide, we explain how to choose a chew based on your dog's character, what hardness levels exist, and what to look for to ensure chewing is both safe and incredibly enjoyable!

What are the benefits of natural chews for dogs?

Natural chews are much more than just treats – they can contribute to your dog's well-being in several areas:

• Dental and oral hygiene. Chewing a harder chew mechanically scrapes the teeth, which can help maintain dental cleanliness and reduce plaque buildup.
• Psychological calmness. Longer chewing naturally calms the dog and helps it cope with stress, loneliness, or excess energy. It is an excellent tool for alleviating boredom.
• Natural occupation. One good chew can keep a dog occupied for 10–40 minutes (or even longer), depending on its hardness – this is valuable when peace is needed at home.
• Nutritional value. Most natural chews are simply dried meat, skin, or offal without additives – a natural and completely healthy source of protein.

Important: Chews supplement, but do not replace, a balanced daily diet. You can find more about main feeding for dogs.

How to choose a chew based on chewing intensity?

The main rule when choosing a chew is to match the chew's hardness to the dog's chewing intensity. A chew that is too hard for a small dog or sensitive teeth may be too difficult, while one that is too soft will be chewed up in a few minutes by an energetic chewer and swallowed more quickly.

In our assortment, chews are categorized by hardness – from light nibbles to the hardest, such as yak cheese. Here's how to navigate:

Hardness	Suitable for	Examples	Category
Nibbles	Puppies, small dogs, and as training treats	Beef sticks, dried sprats	Nibbles
Lighter	Small to medium dogs, moderate chewers, older dogs	Rabbit ears, lamb tracheas, salmon skin rolls	Light chews
Medium	Medium-sized and active chewers	Horse scalps, lamb scalps, turkey necks, beef pizzles	Medium chews
Extra hard	Strong, intensive chewers, large breeds	Yak cheese, beef scalps (extra hard), cheese bone	Extra hard chews

If you are just starting and don't know what type of chewer your dog is, start with a lighter or medium chew and observe: if it is eaten in a few minutes – you can safely choose a harder one. You can view the entire assortment in the chews category.

For a strong chewer

If your dog chews most treats in a few minutes, it needs a longer-lasting challenge. For such dogs, Pala cheese bone – a hard, long-lasting cheese chew – or extra hard beef scalps are excellent. For those seeking challenges, perhaps the most popular chew is large hard beef scalps.

For a moderate or older dog

Softer options are better for more sensitive teeth or smaller dogs, such as rabbit ears with fur (fur also helps clean the stomach) or lamb tracheas, which are easier to chew.

What protein chew to choose for a sensitive dog?

If your dog has sensitive digestion or you suspect food intolerance, pay attention to the type of protein (or, in other words, what kind of meat it is). So-called "novel" or rarer proteins that the dog has not consumed before are often better tolerated.

Our chews offer a wide selection of proteins – from common beef to rarer options:

• Rabbit – a light, often well-tolerated protein (e.g., Pala rabbit paws).
• Salmon and other fish – rich in omega fatty acids (e.g., salmon skin rolls, Pala cod skin rolls).
• Horse meat – a rare, lean protein (e.g., horse scalps).
• Goose, duck, turkey – poultry alternatives for more sensitive dogs.

When choosing chews for a sensitive dog, a valuable rule is – one chew, one type of protein, without additives. If the dog has diagnosed health problems or allergies, consult your veterinarian about suitable treats.

From what age can a puppy be given chews?

Puppies begin actively exploring the world with their teeth during the teething period, so chewing is especially important for them. However, their teeth and jaws are still forming, so chews that are too hard are not suitable.

For puppies, choose soft, easy-to-chew options – for example, beef sticks for puppies. It is better to avoid hard chews (yak cheese, scalps, bones) until permanent teeth have formed.

How often and how many chews to give?

Chews are, after all, treats, so they should supplement, not replace, meals. A general recommendation: treats (including chews) should not constitute more than about 10% of daily calories.

In practice, this usually means 1 chew per day or every other day, depending on the size of the chew and the dog's activity level. If you notice softened stools or digestive changes, reduce the amount or take longer breaks.

How to safely give a chew to a dog?

Even a natural chew requires some supervision. A few simple principles:

1. Observe the dog while chewing – especially when introducing a new chew.
2. Choose the right size – the chew must be larger than the dog's mouth so that it cannot be swallowed in one bite.
3. Take away the leftover – when the chew becomes too small and could be swallowed, it is better to replace it with a new one.
4. Ensure access to water – dried chews can cause thirst.
5. Introduce gradually – offer a new protein or type in smaller quantities and observe the reaction.

For those who want to extend occupation even further and manage fast eating, chews are perfectly complemented by slow feeder tools and dog puzzles, which encourage the dog to use its mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do chews really clean a dog's teeth? Chewing a harder chew results in natural tooth abrasion, which can help maintain dental cleanliness and reduce plaque. This is a beneficial supplement but does not replace regular dental care.

How often can a chew be given? One chew per day or every other day is usually sufficient. Most importantly, treats should not constitute more than about 10% of daily calories.

Which chews are suitable for a strong chewer? For intensive chewers, extra hard chews are best – yak cheese, beef scalps, or cheese bones, which last a long time and provide a serious challenge.

What to choose for a sensitive dog? Choose a single-protein chew without additives, preferably a rarer protein – rabbit, salmon, or horse meat. If diagnosed with allergies, consult your veterinarian.

From what age can a puppy be given chews? Soft, easy-to-chew chews are suitable for puppies. Hard options should be avoided until permanent teeth have formed.

Is it necessary to supervise the dog while it is chewing? Yes. Especially when introducing a new chew, it is worth supervising the dog, choosing an appropriate size, and replacing the leftover when it becomes too small.

 

A properly chosen chew is a simple way to delight your dog and also take care of its well-being. Start with a hardness that matches your dog's chewing habits and choose a protein that suits it. You can find the entire assortment of natural chews in the Urban Tails online store in the chews section, or in the physical store in Vilnius.