Beef Trachea Tubes - The Natural Toothbrush for Your Pup!

The other day, I was at the dentist getting my routine cleaning when the hygienist gave me the ultimate compliment. “Your teeth are in great shape! You must be doing something right.”

Of course, I chuckled and joked, “Well, I do floss. But maybe it’s from watching my three dogs chew on their beef trachea tubes. They keep their teeth cleaner than I do!”

We laughed because she's met my dogs. And I'm not lying about their teeth. It got me thinking about how much those beef trachea chews really work wonders as a natural toothbrush for pups. So, while I take care of my own teeth, I’m also making sure my fur babies get the dental benefits they deserve.

So, today, I'd like to share the benefits of beef trachea chews (spoiler: there are many) and why I choose them for my dogs' dental health.

What Are Beef Trachea Tubes?

Beef trachea tubes come from the windpipes of cows that are processed for their beef. This follows the "use it all" principle of sustainable living.

They are cleaned and dried to a chewy consistency. Eating a trachea tube may not sound like something you and I would want to do. But they have tremendous health benefits.

My little terrier Pixie isn't always a fan of harder chews. I mean, she loves her dog bones just like the rest. But sometimes, she seems to want something that does the job of cleaning teeth without the work of gnawing on a dog bone. So, I get a variety of healthy dog chews for my dogs.

Beef trachea for dogs is one of her favorites. They're easy for her to get her jaw around. And she can chew small, easily digestible pieces off more easily than with a dog bone.

I'll start with the dental benefits because that's why you're here. But I hope you'll stick with me as I explore other reasons to choose beef trachea treats.

Chewing Clean: Why Your Dog's Dentist Will Love Beef Trachea Tubes

These chews are great for teeth from the inside out. Here's why. They have a somewhat abrasive surface that dogs use to scrape away tarter from their teeth. All kinds of bacteria hide in tartar when permitted to build up. These bacteria generate an acidic mouth environment, damaging enamel and speeding up tooth decay.

By reducing tartar in the mouth, my dogs are eliminating the places where the most harmful bacteria like to live. They're improving the pH balance in their mouths, reducing that slow tooth damage. And that can also reduce bad breath.

But there's more. The act of chewing on something like beef trachea tubes also massages the gums. This enhances blood flow, reducing gum receding and the risk of gum inflammation (gingivitis). Stronger gums also mean stronger teeth because receding gums make tooth loss more likely.

Even generally healthy teeth can fall out if the gums are unhealthy.

Finally, unlike kibble, which a dog can crush in seconds, the trachea takes some time. It allows my dogs to work their jaws. A healthy jawbone is also important for retaining healthy teeth.

Chewing Is Instinct

Dogs probably don't know that chewing dog bones and dog treats is important for dental hygiene. For them, it's just instinct. And it probably feels good. I know beef trachea has to taste good. It's beef! My lab mix Bruno gets so excited when he hears me pulling the bag out of the dog treats cabinet.

Yes, I have a dedicated dog treats cabinet, and I'm not ashamed about it! My dogs like variety. And this ensures they always have a steady supply of dog bones, training treats, and natural toothbrushes.

Better than a Dog Toothbrush

I'll be honest with you. I would do almost anything for my dogs. But I do not brush their teeth. More power to the pet parents who have that kind of discipline and time. If I could, I'd teach my dogs to brush their own teeth. But, of course, that's not going to happen. Giving them trachea chews is the next best thing.

This isn't just an itty bitty reduction in harmful bacteria. Some researchers at Rutgers University decided to put it to the test. They discovered that chewing on something like a dog bone or trachea chew can reduce bacteria by an astounding 60-80%.

Giving my dogs beef trachea tubes ensures they're always selfie-ready.

How Often Should I Let My Dogs Brush Their Teeth?

My dentist would recommend I brush my teeth at least twice a day, if not after every meal. But brushing the human teeth is a little different because, well... you don't swallow your toothbrush after every cleaning session. Dogs consume their "toothbrush". So it's important not to allow chew treats to be more than 10% of their diet. That comes out to about 2-3 times a week and should include all treats (dog bones, beef lung bites, etc.) combined.

More often "brushing" might lead to a nutrient deficiency because you're ruining their dinner of veterinarian-approved kibble. And the truth is that this is enough to keep a dog's teeth clean. You should see my dogs’ teeth. And Bruno is nearly 8 years old.

But what about the other benefits? Beef trachea tubes do more than improve dental health. They're a great healthy chew for small dogs and large alike.

Is Beef Trachea Good for Dogs?

There are so many reasons to love these nutritious dog treats.

  • Rich in Collagen - Trachea tubes are packed with collagen, a crucial component for joint health, skin, and coat. These make great collagen chews for dogs.
  • Glucosamine and Chondroitin - They're also loaded with these joint-supporting power substances and have replaced Bruno's joint supplements.
  • Lots of Nutrients - They also contain iron, calcium, B12, and a lot of protein, making them the perfect all-around healthy dog treat.
  • Easy on the Stomach - Since they’re natural, they’re easily digestible, making them a safe treat even for pups with sensitive tummies.
  • Great for Aggressive Chewers - While soft enough for smaller dogs, trachea tubes are durable enough for aggressive chewers. This gives them the satisfaction of a good chew without the risk of breaking teeth.

Now, if you prefer a refillable dog bone, you might pick the Dynamo Bone, which is another regular resident in my dog treats cabinet. And if you're looking for healthy dog bone refill recipes, check out my free dog bone refill ideas guide.

Dog Dentists Would Approve

So, I can't speak for dog dentists because dogs can't become dentists. But if they could, they would agree that beef trachea treats make the best dog toothbrushes. My dogs rely on me to make these decisions for their health. And I trust the US-raised grass-fed beef treats from K9Connoiseur.

Available On:

Back to blog