Healthy Dog Chews: Chew, Chomp, and Thrive

Last weekend, one of my neighbors I see regularly at the dog park hosted a "Chew & Chat" evening in her home. She invited all of the regulars from the park for a night of finger foods, beverages, and chit-chat that encompassed everything about our dogs—sharing our favorite local pet services, treat vendors, and training tips.

I was so in my element. Why didn't I think of this? The topic of healthy dog chews arose. And I had so much to share about the topic.

Why Healthy Dog Chews Matter

I love to treat my dogs. Since my kids left for college, they have become my furry child substitutes. And they deserve the best. The sight of a tail wagging on my boisterous terrier Pixie is enough of a dopamine rush to keep pawing out the treats.

But there's a reason I don't do that. Not all dog treats are healthy. Some I would even call "dog candy". They can have refined grains and added sugar that dogs don't need.

There's just no reason for it. Not when some dog treats are actually good for them.

So, what benefits should you look for in healthy dog chews?

Nutrition Boosters

A healthy chew should add nutrients, not empty calories. I especially look for ones with nutrition that's less accessible in a straight kibble diet.

But I also want nutrition to be natural, not synthetic vitamin enrichment.

Oral Health Support

Dogs instinctually chew on things to clean their teeth and massage their gums—to promote a healthy oral microbiome.

I'll be honest: not a fan of brushing my dogs' teeth. I tried once on my lab mix, Bruno, and he wasn't having it.

If I'm going to give a dog a treat, I might as well have it pull double duty.

I'm not just saying this. The science backs it up with 60-80% less harmful bacteria in the mouths of dogs who regularly use certain healthy dog chews.

Mental Health

Some chews last longer than others. While the quick, healthy chew has its place, long-lasting chews like a dog bone engage my K9s mentally. The best chew bones for dogs can alleviate boredom, promote a sense of calm, and provide all-around well-being support.

Stop Acting Out

There's a saying about children being so bored they are "climbing the walls". It's the same for dogs. When they don't feel mentally stimulated, they often do things that we humans would consider destructive. They're just trying to entertain themselves.

And sometimes daily walks or backyard play aren't enough.

A marrow-filled dog bone is like an all-natural dog puzzle toy. Your dog has to figure out how to get the marrow out. It's very stimulating for them. So it can reduce destructive behavior.

Your sofa pillows and wooden doorframes will thank you.

Training Tools

Dogs want to know what you expect of them. Formal training is how we humans communicate these expectations. Good chews for dogs make great training treats.

What to Look for in Good Chews for Dogs

So, back to the Chew & Chat, someone asked the group, "how do I know if dog treats are healthy?"

Will they say they can do all or most of the above for your pup?

Not always. It does take some research to know what healthy dog chews look like.

Here are some of the things I'm on the hunt for to find the healthiest dog chews for my K9s.

All-Natural Ingredients

Avoid chews with artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers. Sugar and refined grains should not be in dog treats. If they are, they're probably there to cover up the fact that it's a low-quality, foul-tasting treat.

Here's the thing. Dogs aren't hard to please.

They want foods that taste like meat! For dogs, meat is a healthy treat. That makes it fairly easy to find all-natural treats for dogs. Hint: It's going to come from an animal.

Single-ingredient options like beef kneecaps are excellent choices. These chews are loaded with nutrition that dogs don't always get from kibble, like healthy fats, collagen protein, B vitamins, and even glucosamine for healthy bones and joints.

For more details, check out my recent post: Enhancing Canine Nutrition Through Dog Bones: Not Like Other Treats.

Proper Size

Choose chews appropriate for your dog’s size to avoid choking hazards. If it's not safe, then that's not healthy. For example, large dog bones work best for big breeds, while smaller chews suit toys or small dogs.

Your dog should not swallow their dog bone. So, it should be at least as big as their head in one direction. Beef cattle have bones that are big enough for large dogs, but other bones are perfect for that tiny toy-sized K9.

Digestibility

It's important that my dogs can access nutrition. The marrow in all-beef dog bones is very digestible. It's nutrient-dense, so dogs only need a little at a time. I give my pups their bones for 15-20 minutes.

This chew session length is perfect for maximizing nutrition without ruining dinner or causing the gastrointestinal upset that can happen when we let our fur children overindulge in rich foods.

Health dog chews are treats, after all.

Now, I want to compare here to a popular "dog bone" treat—rawhide bones. Rawhide is made from dried animal skin. It's almost all protein, which sounds good. But it has no other nutritional components found in beef dog bones.

Rawhide is also dried using potentially harmful chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, chromium salt, and formaldehyde, among others. They may be edible, but this isn't something I want my dogs to eat.

Durability

Aggressive chewers need tougher options like marrow bones for dogs. I choose dog bones that come from grass-fed beef cattle from USA ranches because they're more durable and have been through fewer borders and hands on the way to my dogs' chew sessions.

The preparation process is also important. I opt for a slow and low-heat cooking process to maximize density and safety for my furry kids.

Best Chew Bones for Dogs

Healthiest Chew Treats for Training

For the most productive and healthy training sessions, I opt for beef lung bites. They're small and tearable, so you can give them continually as you reinforce training.

Best Small Dog Healthy Chews

For small pups, it's hard to beat these K9 Delights. Their little size makes them perfect for those dogs of smaller stature. But they don't sacrifice flavor. You can get a generous-sized bag of this favorite healthy dog bone treat here.

Best for Mid-Sized Dogs

My terrier Pixie loves these meaty ribs. They're slow-cooked to perfection and covered in bits of meaty goodness. Next time you're in the market for a dog bone for a medium-sized pup over 15lb, give these a try.

Best Chew Bones for Big Dogs

Large dogs can't get enough of Champs Meaty Mammoth Bones. They stand up to aggressive chewing, and after Bruno has consumed most of the bone marrow, I like to refill them with tasty treats like natural peanut butter. See more fun dog bone refill ideas and tips in this free guide.

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