The best natural chew for your dog depends on three things: their age, their mouth size and how they chew. The hardest or longest-lasting chew isn’t automatically the best choice. Start with something your dog can chew comfortably and safely, then work up from there.
Natural chews vary in shape and thickness, so always check the actual piece before you hand it over, not just the size on the pack.
How to read our chew labels
Every chew in our natural dog chews range has four labels to help you choose:
- Hardness: how firm the chew is, from soft to very hard.
- Chew time: roughly how long it lasts.
- Minimum age: the youngest age we recommend it for.
- Dog size: the size of dog it’s designed for.
Use all four together, then think about your dog’s chewing style. A gentle nibbler and a power chewer of the same size may need very different chews.
A quick starting point
| Your starting need | What to check first | Where to browse |
|---|---|---|
| A puppy option | Exact age label, teeth and mouth size | Puppy chews |
| A teething option | Your puppy's stage and chewing habits | Teething puppy chews |
| A strong chewer | Gnawing versus cracking; hardness and fit | Tough dog chews |
| A longer activity | Time category alongside age and hardness | Long lasting chews |
| A small dog | Actual dimensions and swallowing behaviour | The natural range above, filtered by Small |
| A sensitive dog | Complete ingredients and known dietary restrictions | Check the complete recipe against your dog's dietary needs |
What “natural” means in our range
Our natural chews range includes ears, pizzle, fish skin and cartilage, plus dairy-based chews and other recipes. Natural doesn’t automatically mean right for every dog, so each chew still needs to suit your dog’s diet, teeth and chewing style.
Always check the ingredients, as some chews contain more than you might expect:
- Stuffed chews contain a filling.
- Yak chews are made from milk plus a few other ingredients.
- Vegetarian bones have their own recipe.
If your dog has any dietary restrictions, the full ingredients list matters more than how a chew looks.
Reading the hardness label
| Hardness | Example |
|---|---|
| Soft | Fish Skin Batons |
| Medium | Rabbit Ears |
| Firm | Beef Pizzle |
| Very hard | Deer Antlers |
The hardness scale compares texture across our range. It isn’t a safety ranking, and a very hard chew isn’t an automatic upgrade for a dog who finishes softer chews quickly.
Very hard chews can damage teeth. If your dog has dental problems or tends to crunch and crack hard objects, ask your vet which textures are suitable. Supervision helps, but it can’t prevent every injury.
Reading the chew time label
| Chew time | Example |
|---|---|
| Under 15 minutes | Fish Skin Batons |
| 15 to 60 minutes | Rabbit Ears |
| 1 to 2 hours | Beef Pizzle |
| Over 2 hours | Deer Antlers |
Chew times are a rough comparison, not a promise or a guide to how long a session should last. Your dog’s chewing style and the thickness of the piece can make a big difference.
Reading the minimum age label
| Chew | Recommended from |
|---|---|
| Fish Skin Batons | 12 weeks |
| Rabbit Ears | 12 weeks |
| Beef Pizzle | 12 weeks |
| Deer Antlers | 6 months |
Every dog develops at their own pace. Some become confident chewers quickly, while others need softer chews for longer. Always follow the minimum age on the product, and get in touch if you’re unsure what suits your dog.
Reading the dog size label
Our Small, Medium, Large and Giant filters help narrow down your options. Always check the actual dimensions too: a Large chew is a product size, not a guarantee it suits every large dog.
Choosing by dog size
| Dog size | Practical choice rule | Useful browsing direction |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Avoid pieces that can be gulped; do not assume short means suitable | Start with the Small label in the natural or puppy range |
| Medium | Match thickness and behaviour as well as length | Bully sticks and pizzles or ears and skin, after checking age |
| Large | Check the actual piece remains large enough as it wears | The long lasting and tough ranges above |
| Giant | Get dimensions confirmed; Large is not automatically giant suitable | The Giant label and a product specific sizing check |
Choosing by chewing style
Dogs chew in very different ways:
- Gentle chewers explore a chew slowly, licking and nibbling.
- Steady chewers work away at one chew over a longer session.
- Power chewers bite down hard repeatedly, trying to crack or break the chew.
Watch how your dog chews so you can choose something that suits them.
If you’re considering harder chews, read our specific advice on antlers and horns first. If you’re looking to support your dog’s dental routine, compare our dental chews and speak to your vet about brushing and regular checks. Neither is right for every dog.
Chews for dogs with sensitivities
If your dog has dietary restrictions, check the full ingredients list and choose something that fits the advice you’ve already been given. Our fish dog chews and vegetarian dog chews offer alternative ingredients, but no chew can guarantee your dog won’t react.
Chews with fur
Fur gives ear and skin chews a different texture that many dogs enjoy. Browse our chews with fur and introduce them gradually. Keep following your vet’s advice on worming and parasite control.
How to introduce a new chew
- Check the age guidance, size and ingredients before offering it.
- Introduce one new chew at a time, starting with a short session.
- Stay nearby so you can watch how your dog tackles it. Never hand over a new chew as you leave the house.
- Count it as part of your dog’s daily food allowance and follow the feeding guidance.
Occasional treats should stay occasional, even if your dog loves them. Always have fresh water available, and store chews as directed between sessions.
When to take a chew away
Remove the chew if:
- it’s small enough to be swallowed
- pieces are breaking off
- edges have become sharp
- your dog starts gulping rather than chewing
- you can’t supervise
If your dog suddenly seems uncomfortable while chewing, stop and seek advice from your vet.
Not sure where to start?
Our chew quiz can point you towards a good starting range. Use it as a guide, then read the product details and check the actual chew before offering it. For anything involving teeth or a prescribed diet, always speak to your vet as well.
Frequently asked questions
Are natural chews better than rawhide?
Many owners prefer them. Most of our natural chews are single-ingredient, while rawhide is made from processed hide.