Dogs in our modern world have a ton of downtime and many suffer from boredom. Imagine sitting around the house all day waiting on your people to get home. Even if you are home, some dogs still need to stay busy. Naturally, dogs will want to chew when they’re bored, so this is where us parents can step up our game and give them “busy” bones. We just have to choose the right bone so our dogs don’t end up in the emergency room!
As popular as rawhide chews can be, they aren’t always the safest option for your dog to indulge in. Not only is there a major risk of choking, but the rawhide can get stuck in their digestive tract. In fact, as little as 14% of some rawhide can actually be digested by a dog’s stomach. They can also be contaminated with countless toxic chemicals from bleaching especially when produced outside of the USA. Yuck!!
Whether you choose to give your dog rawhides or not, your dog needs to chew, and thankfully there are many natural, safe, and healthy alternatives. By giving them something they LOVE, not to mention FUN, you can help prevent boredom, anxiety, excessive barking and licking.
I’ve personally given my dogs all of these treats listed below and find them to be considerable alternatives and a great source of enrichment:)
Products featured are personally selected, so if you make a purchase thru a link, I may earn a commission.
My Top 8 Healthy Rawhide Alternatives
These are a favorite among dog owners because they don’t contain any chemical additives or preservatives and can last a long time.
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- These are a single ingredient, highly digestible dog chew made from a high protein muscle.
- They help clean teeth and promote healthy gums by removing tartar and reducing bacteria
- Maintain a healthy coat, strong muscles and optimal brain function.
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Redbarn Bully Slices pack of 3 ($37)
Other raw vegetables like green beans, broccoli, cucumber and butternut squash are other options that are also low in fat and calories. -
- Chemical and additive free.
- 6 Simple Ingredients plus 1 protein
- Comes in different sizes and flavors including beef, chicken, peanut butter, salmon, pork, venison, and feast
Earth Animal No Hide Chews pack of 3 ($29)
- These are a thinner and more flexible option containing more protein and less fat
- Chewing cow ears helps remove plaque and reduces chances of gum disease
- Made of cartilage so they are naturally full of chondroitin which helps the health of joint cartilage, specifically helping dogs with arthritis or dogs who are hard on their joints such as active working dogs
- These are inexpensive and a great daily chew
Chicken or Duck Feet (my dogs absolutely love these)
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- Completely and easily digestible and will not splinter
- Rich in calcium, cartilage, collagen, protein and glucosamine which is good for joint health and osteoporosis
- Improves dental health
- Rich in iron and amino acids which important for growing and active dogs
- Good nutrition such as vitamins A and C, zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper and omega fatty acids
Related Article: Duck Duck Chicken Feet
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- These are made from hardened yak and cow cheese which has abrasive properties to remove bacteria from dog’s teeth
- Long lasting and considered the ‘toughest’ chew
- One of the trendiest treats on the market and made famous by Shark Tank
* While all of my dogs love these, I need to disclose a personal experience. My Standard Poodle is a more aggressive chewer and has bit off small chunks of the yak and was unable to digest those pieces. This may be out of the ordinary for most dogs, but she doesn’t seem to have sensitivities or issues with any other foods or treats. Like any other chew treat, pieces can and will break off at some point, so make sure to watch out for that! My small dogs had no issues and they last a LONG time for them.
Canophera Coffee Wood
- This is a natural coffee wood that is harder than other wood making it less likely to splinter.
- 100% vegan and free from additives
- Coffee wood is a natural byproduct during coffee production, so no trees are uprooted or cut down for this.
*long lasting chew stick available in different sizes
Pig Ears or Snouts
- Dogs absolutely love these high protein, fully digestible chews
- The snout is formed by a large prenasal bone and a large piece of cartilage
- Like alot of these other natural treats, they remove plaque and tartar, and can contribute to healthy teeth and better breath!
- Pig ears are literally, pig ears that consist of skin, cartilage, and a little muscle.