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There are a lot of different kinds out there… but are you wondering what the best long lasting dog chews are?
I’ve been on this mission for a few years now. And I’m happy to say that I’ve finally found the longest lasting dog chews that last months in our house with 3 strong chewers.
About my dogs… We have two 45-lb Australian Shepherd / Golden Retriever mixed breed siblings that are 2 years old. They’re not power chewers who tend to destroy things — but they do like to chew hard for long periods at a time! Until recently, we also had an 80-lb Black Lab / Great Pyrenees mix who loved to chew bones — he just passed at the age of 14. And before that, we had an American Eskimo and a Black Lab that were avid chewers.
Below are my findings, after comparing some of the most popular dog chews out there. Hopefully, this will give you a few good options the next time you’re shopping for long lasting dog chews for your fur babies.
Dog Toys vs. Chews
Many dogs like to chew on Nylabones. Not my dogs.
Nylabones are safe and durable — but if your dog won’t spend time chewing on them, then they’re not worth it as dog chews.
I’ve even tried the Nylabones with nubs and various flavors, but none of my dogs (specifically, 5 dogs over the past 30 years) have ever enjoyed them.
The closest bone-like toy that my dogs will spend a fair amount of time chewing on is this Benebone Real Flavor Dental Dog Chew Toy. (It’s made in the USA, by the way.) We also have the wishbone shaped Benebone, but my prefer this shape:
The only other “toy” that I would put into the “long lasting dog chews” category is a Kong toy — the classic dome shaped one with a large hole on one end (to fill with tasty dog treats) a small hole on the other end (to prevent suction issues with your dog’s tongue). If your dog is a power chewer, then you’ll want the black Kong Extreme instead.
I’ve never had to throw away a Kong toy after my dog bit into the rubber or chewed it up. So in our house, Kong toys are considered long lasting. Keep in mind, I don’t leave Kongs lying around the house (like I do dog toys and the Benebone) — so my dogs are not in the habit of chewing on Kongs after they’re empty.
Here’s how to make a regular Kong toy more challenging for your dog.
Of course, there are other dog toys that are made specifically for aggressive chewers (here’s my list of the best indestructible dog toys). But in my mind, most dog toys are not durable, hard, bone-like objects that are intended to be chewed on consistently — day in and day out for long periods of time.
Plus, I know most people don’t do this… but I try to make it clear to my dogs that dog toys (especially plush toys and dog toys with movable parts) are to be played with gently, while dog chews can be gnawed on relentlessly. (That way, the toys in our house last a lot longer. I also rotate the dog toys — so my pups are always excited to get a “new” toy to play with that they haven’t seen in awhile.)
So, I set out to to my own experiment to find the best long lasting dog chews (not toys) for my dogs. I’m including the 2 longest-lasting dog toys mentioned above (Benebone and Kong Classic) on the following lists simply because they are good alternatives, long-lasting, and relatively inexpensive options — but they are not “technically” considered dog chews.
Longest Lasting Dog Chews – In Order Of Time
Just to be clear… when I’m talking about long lasting dog chews, I’m referring to something that will last several weeks… months… or even years before it’s gone!
Because dogs that love to chew will want to chew a lot — and they need something that is strong, durable, and long-lasting. Otherwise, you’ll go broke satisfying their need to chew.
TIP: If you’re a first-time dog owner, then you might not realize how important it is to always supervise your dog whenever they are gnawing on something that could come apart — like a toy, a bone, or a dog chew. Small parts with rough edges could get caught in your dog’s throat, or get stuck inside your dog’s intestines making surgery inevitable. Try this… any time you see shards of bones or pieces of toys come off, calmly tell your dog to “drop it” and then immediately give them a treat for doing so. (That’s what I do — works every time.)
Obviously, every dog will not enjoy every type of dog chew — so you’ll want to try a couple different ones from top end of this list first, until you find the ones that your dog enjoys chewing on the longest and most often.
These are the longest lasting dog chews in our house:
- Benebone dog dental chew toy — years
- Fresh bones from the butcher — months to years
- Whole elk antlers — months to years
- Split elk antlers — months to years
- Goat horns — months to years
- Cow hooves — weeks to months
- Pressed rawhide (not the traditional rolled rawhide!) — weeks
- Beef trachea — days to weeks
- Bully sticks — hours to days
- Himalayan chews (also called Yak chews) — hours to days
- Cow ears — hours
- Kongs stuffed with treats — hours
NOTE: Items #6 thru #12 in this list could be chewed away completely in a much shorter time IF you don’t remove it from the dog each time one-fourth of it gets chewed away (which could happen over several hours, or several days — depending on the dog). I rarely let my dogs have #6 thru #12 above for longer than 1 hour or so at a time. This serves 2 purposes: 1) It prevents an upset tummy from too much being ingested at a time; and 2) It makes the dog chew last even longer. For the record, I treat dog chews the same way that I treat dog toys — I rotate them, so they’re always seen as “new” chews to my dogs over time.
See What Makes Each Type Of Dog Chew Unique
Fresh Bones From The Butcher
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Months to years
BEST FOR: Power and medium chewers
TIP: Raw bones are not safe for puppies (under 1 year of age) — because their teeth are too fragile. Since most raw bones are harder than a dog’s teeth, they may not be the best choice for a power chewer. You’ll want to monitor an aggressive chewer closely — looking for fractured teeth or excessive wear on your dog’s teeth.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Local butcher shops
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
These last sooooooo long! I’ve literally had several of my dogs’ real bones for many years. (Like after one dog enjoyed it for a long time, then eventually passed, and another dog joined our family and started enjoying the same bone.) I’ve definitely thrown away more “full-size” real bones than “remnants” of real bones that have been chewed down by our dogs — because they’re so difficult to chew down. (Usually, only the edges will wear down from constant chewing.)
The price for butcher bones varies widely from place to place. I usually get mine for 50 cents a pound. I buy several pounds, and I freeze them. (DO NOT COOK RAW BONES — they will become dry and brittle and be more likely to splinter. And never give your dog chicken bones or turkey bones!)
Poultry and pork bones, or cooked bones of any kind are strictly forbidden. They splinter into shards that can cause choking and serious damage to the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines. Cooking can also remove nutrients from the bone. ~American Kennel Club
The best part about giving your dog raw bones is… when you’re buying from a butcher, you can choose “whole bones” or “split bones” — as well as the length that you’d like the bones to be. Yep, they’ll cut them to your specifics, at most butcher shops!
The best raw bones for dogs (least likely to splinter) are:
- Shin bones – also called Tibia/Foreshank bones, they’re often naturally smoked with pieces of tendon and meat left on the bone to enhance the flavor
- Knuckle bones – these are super durable, but awkward for most dogs to “grab onto” and manipulate for long periods of time
- Marrow bones – make sure they’re larger than your dog’s mouth
- Femur bones – the rounded ends always get chewed off first, and they shouldn’t be swallowed whole — so watch for that, and throw away any small parts that get chewed off
You can also by these bones (in individual packages) online, as well as in grocery stores and pet stores. They’re not raw and meaty when you buy them elsewhere. They’ve been smoked — to make them extra tasty for dogs.
My experience is that Jack & Pup is the best brand for store-bought real bones for dogs. (I get them on Amazon, when the butcher doesn’t have any of the ones I want available.)
Sourced from grass fed, free range cattle, and raised without any added hormones or antibiotics — resulting in a healthier and better tasting treat. Processed in a USDA Human Grade Certified and Inspected facility. Each dog bone treat is handpicked and inspected to ensure quality and perfect consistency. Naturally odor free, without the use of any preservatives or chemicals. 100% digestible and safe — guaranteed to be fully digestible and not to cause any side-effects. Jack&Pup bones dog treats are a natural, protein-rich, one-ingredient dog chew treat — without any additives or artificial ingredients. Our careful and natural preparation of the dog bone treats effectively eliminates all bacteria and contaminates — making its consumption fully safe. ~Jack&Pup
Other brands are hit or miss in terms of how brittle they are — which means tiny slivers could break off, even though the majority of the bone remains tough and durable. I used to buy them from the grocery store on occasion, but stopped after I discovered the Jack & Pup brand.
TIP: I will occasionally buy these 6-inch beef bones with a hollowed out center — because they’re great to fill with goodies to surprise your dog and get them chewing again (which is good for their teeth, especially the back teeth which are hard to reach with a toothbrush).
Deer Antlers and Elk Antlers
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Months to years
BEST FOR: Power and medium chewers
TIP: Best for adult dogs only. Whole antler dog chews are too hard for a puppy’s fragile teeth. Likewise, since antlers are harder than a dog’s teeth, they may not be the best choice for a power chewer. Monitor an aggressive chewer closely — looking for fractured teeth or excessive wear on your dog’s teeth.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Pawstruck
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
Antler dog chews are naturally shed from both elk and deer — and they make fabulous dog chews! They last a really long time because they don’t break off or splinter.
The biggest difference between deer antlers and elk antlers is the fact that elk antlers are a little bit softer and easier to chew on than deer antlers.
For both deer and elk antler dog chews:
- The base of the antler is the most dense and longest lasting as a dog chew.
- The upper part of the antler is softer and easier to chew into.
…So basically, your dog gets 2 different densities with each deer or elk antler dog chew!
FYI, deer and elk shed their antlers every year. It’s a painless, natural part of the animal’s life, as seen here:
The only downside to antler dog chews is the fact that they’re so darn expensive — usually around $20 apiece for a medium-sized one in pet stores!
Fortunately, they’re cheaper online — around $10 apiece or a 3-pack for $20.
My tips for choosing the right antler dog chews:
- Select one that’s not too small and not too big. I always thought bigger is better… more to chew on. Not so, according to my dogs. My 45-pound dogs have a hard time maneuvering a larger antler than a medium-sized one — so I only buy medium-sized antlers now.
- Choose one that has some curve to it (or best of all… “branches”). The less straight it is, the easier it will be for your dog to grab onto it, maneuver it around, and enjoy the chewing process. I realize this is hard to do when you’re shopping online, and you’ll pay a bit more for it in a pet store, but I think it’s worth it because your dog will enjoy it more.
The antlers my dogs like best are made by Pawstruck. We’ve tried both the solid antlers and the split antlers (which are the same thing as center cut antler dog chews).
NOTE: I was actually surprised to find that my dogs prefer whole antlers better than split antlers. I thought they would enjoy being able to get right at the marrow inside the split antlers. But it’s actually the rough edges, curves, and pointy parts on the whole antlers that they seem to like better than the center marrow (which is dried out and I guess not as tasty as I thought it would be).
Goat Horns and Buffalo Horns
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Months to years
BEST FOR: Power and medium chewers
TIP: Horns are not safe for puppies — because their teeth are too fragile. Since most horns are harder than a dog’s teeth, they may not be the best choice for a power chewer. Monitor your aggressive chewer closely — looking for fractured teeth or excessive wear on your dog’s teeth.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Good Lovin from Petco
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
Made of keratin (like our fingernails are), horn dog chews usually range from 3 to 6 inches long and they are 100% digestible by dogs.
They usually do not splinter and they’re very long lasting!
The only downside is the fact that the marrow inside is rather hard to get at, and my dogs tend to get bored with chewing on a horn rather easily.
As with antler dog chews… the rougher the edges and the more curve there is on a horn dog chew, the longer my dogs will chew on it.
NOTE: While many dogs seem to enjoy gnawing on goat horns for hours, my dogs tend to get bored with them after a few minutes of chewing. Perhaps I haven’t bought any that are smelly enough yet! Regardless, my dogs are still intrigued enough to gnaw on a goat horn that’s been re-introduced to them after I removed it for a few weeks.
Cow Hooves
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Weeks to months
BEST FOR: Medium and light chewers
TIP: They last even longer with puppies! Even though they are 100% digestible, small pieces can break off — so it’s very important to supervise your puppies whenever they’re chewing on cow hooves. I usually throw it away when it becomes the size of a 50-cent piece and the edges are all smooth.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Jones from Tractor Supply Co.
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
The unique texture and shape of a cow’s hoof makes it super easy for a dog to hold onto while chewing. I love that part!
Plus, the center is hollowed out — making it easy for you to add peanut butter or any other tasty treat that your dog loves inside, if desired. (I don’t, because my dogs thoroughly enjoy cow hooves as is.)
There are 2 downsides, but they don’t prevent me from giving my dogs cow hooves regularly:
- They smell horrible at first — until your dog has chewed off the smoked flavoring.
- Small pieces always break off around the edges during the first few hours of chew time — which I promptly take away, so they don’t swallow them. (Even though they’re digestible, I’m not fond of the sharp edges.) After the rough edges are chewed away, cow hooves can last many weeks or even months!
I buy Jones Natural Chews Cow Hooves for $8 from Tractor Supply (when they go on sale or I have a coupon) — 10 or so hooves in a 1 lb. bag.
If you’re going to buy in bulk, this is the best deal for Jones cow hooves.
Cow hooves from various manufacturers are widely available online and in pet stores. Generally speaking, I’ve found that cow hooves are slightly more affordable on Amazon than in the brick & mortar pet stores.
TIP: My dogs are initially attracted to the smell of the cow hooves. But I think they keep coming back to chew on them because they’re able to bite off small pieces around the edges. After a few days with these dog chews, the pieces don’t break off as easily and I don’t have to supervise them so closely.
Pressed Rawhide
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Weeks
BEST FOR: Power, medium, and light chewers
TIP: Buy smaller ones for puppies, larger ones for large dogs. If your dog “gulps” food rather “chews” it, then you might want to take this away when it’s small enough to entirely fit inside your dog’s mouth. I let it harden/dry out for a few days, then reintroduce it to my dog again later to chew a little bit more off. But my dogs don’t “gulp” or “swallow quickly” what they’re eating — they tend to chew things into smaller bites instead.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Cadet
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
Pressed rawhide was actually the very first dog chew I tried with my dogs — decades ago — after hearing all the bad things about rawhide bones and rawhide dog chews.
In case you don’t know…. regular rawhide bones and chews are made from one single layer of rawhide that is “rolled” into the shape of a dog bone or dog chew. These single-layer pieces of rawhide can be chewed into small chunks rather quickly and they are not easily digested by dogs. When dogs swallow pieces of rawhide, it expands inside the dog’s body and can become blocked in the dogs throat, stomach, or intestines.
Pressed rawhide is much different because of the process that’s used to make it. A pressed rawhide dog bone is made from several very tight layers of compressed cowhide that won’t expand when wet — it is 100% digestible!
I like the 6-inch pressed rawhide bones best for my 45-lb dogs. They also come in 4-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.
One of the great things about pressed rawhide bones is they’re fairly affordable — and cheaper online than in stores, for sure.
My dogs seem to like both the scent and the texture. (But there’s really not a strong or offensive odor.)
TIP: It takes my dogs a long time to wear down a pressed rawhide bone, but I still remove it from them each time they’ve gnawed down a good bit of it. Then, I let it dry out and harden a bit before reintroducing it to them. When it gets small enough to entirely fit in their mouth, I throw it away — just because it becomes too awkward for them to maneuver without putting it entirely inside their mouth.
Beef Trachea
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Days to weeks
BEST FOR: Medium and light chewers
TIP: Buy smaller ones for puppies, larger ones for large dogs. If your dog “gulps” food rather “chews” it, then you might want to take this away when it’s small enough to entirely fit inside your dog’s mouth. I let it harden/dry out for a few days, then reintroduce it to my dog again later to chew a little bit more off. But my dogs don’t “gulp” or “swallow quickly” what they’re eating — they tend to chew things into smaller bites, thank goodness.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Raw Paws and Good Lovin from Petco
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
A beef trachea dissolves in much the same way as pressed rawhide does when it’s chewed on by a dog — like small slobbery bits, rather than jagged pieces with sharp edges.
These are 100% digestible and I have absolutely no fear at all of my dogs gnawing on these for a couple of hours.
One thing I really like about beef trachea dog chews is the fact that they’re a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin — 2 supplements that are helpful for senior dogs (like my 14-year-old Lab mix who had arthritis after ACL surgery as a pup) and dogs with joint issues.
I don’t buy these often, but when I do, I get them at Petco for $3 apiece. I like the 4-inch ones best. They also have 12-inch ones. It just comes down to personal preference.
NOTE: For some reason, my dogs don’t power chew through a trachea chew — even though they easily could. Instead, they carry it around a bit, “hide” it sometimes, and sniff on it at times. Occasionally, they bring it out to gnaw on for a long period of time. Personally, I like the variety that this type of dog chew provides in our home.
Bully Sticks
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Hours to days
BEST FOR: Medium and light chewers
TIP: Bully Sticks last even longer with puppies. (I’ve heard some people freeze them for teething puppies.) If your dog “gulps” food rather “chewing” it, then you might want to take this away when it’s small enough to entirely fit inside your dog’s mouth. I just let it harden/dry out for a few days, then reintroduce it to my dog again later to chew a little bit more off. But my dogs don’t quickly swallow what they’re eating — they tend to chew things into smaller bites instead.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Cadet and Nature Gnaws
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
They look similar to pressed rawhide, but Bully Sticks are actually uncooked, dried bull pizzles. A pizzle is the inner tendon of the bull’s penis. (They’re also called pizzle sticks.)
Like most other animal organs that are given to dogs as chews, Bully Sticks are highly digestible. Plus, they don’t splinter or break.
The biggest downside to them is the fact that they have a strong, almost offensive odor. Most dogs love the smell. Most people do not.
TIP: Braided Bully Sticks tend to last a little bit longer than non-braided ones.
Himalayan Dog Chews / Yak Cheese
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Hours to days
BEST FOR: Light chewers (or as a snack for medium and power chewers)
TIP: These are best for extra special treat time — like to keep your dog calm while waiting at the vet’s office or to distract your dog whenever a guest arrives at your house. They are softer than most of the dog chew bones mentioned above, so there’s really no need to worry about your dog eating every last bit of it.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Pupford and Pawstruck
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
To me, Himalayan dog chews are just a glamorous form of dog dental treats and they happen to be very trendy right now. (You know… similar to DentaStix and Greenies, that are meant to be eaten and are good for a dog’s teeth.)
Personally, my favorite dog dental chews are Nubz by Nylabone. They’re made in the USA with real chicken and have little bumps all over them — to gently scrub the teeth. I buy Nubz in bulk every time they go on sale at Costco — and I break them in half, so I get twice as many (44) treats from each bag!
Himalayan dog chews (also called yak cheese) are made from yak & cow milk, salt, and lime juice.
These dental dog treats take a bit of force and strong teeth chewing for your dog to break off pieces to eat. Yes, dogs are encouraged to eat every bit of these — they’re fully digestible and easy on the tummy (even the small pieces that break off).
In our house, they just don’t last long enough to justify the cost (around $4 or $5 apiece) and they’re gone in an hour or so — sometimes they’ll last 2 or 3 days, but very rarely. Personally, I’d rather give my dogs lots more Nubz dental chews over time as special treats than invest in just a few of the Himalayan dog chews for the same price.
TIP: If you put a little piece of a Himalayan dog chew that your dog has broken off in your microwave for 30 seconds, it will puff up like a crunchy, airy piece of popcorn. (Be sure to let it cool before giving to your dog!)
Cow Ears
HOW LONG IT LASTS: Hours
BEST FOR: Light chewers
TIP: Cow ears get soft as your dog gnaws on them. Once soft, they’re relatively easy for a dog to tear pieces of it off. While they ultimately digest just fine in a dog’s tummy, I don’t let my dogs swallow the larger pieces.
OUR FAVORITE BRAND(S): Pawstruck
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE:
Because cow ears dog chews look so much like rawhide, at first I thought they were considered rawhide chews. But they’re not rawhide at all!
Rawhide is the inner layer of a cow’s hide or a horse’s hide — it does not dissolve in a dog’s stomach. Instead, it swells up in your dog’s belly — forcing your dog to pass any rawhide pieces that they’ve swallowed. (This can lead to throat blockage or bowel blockage.)
Cow ears are actually cartilage wrapped in a thin skin — there’s no splintering at all.
They’re easily digestible and provide somewhat of a challenge for your dog to gnaw on and chew into pieces. (My dogs can demolish these in less than an hour sometimes though.)
NOTE: Even though they’re easily digestible (and yes, my dogs have swallowed the larger pieces on several occasions), I generally don’t let my dogs eat the bigger pieces that they have spit out and set aside.
Are There Any Human Foods That Can Provide Long Lasting Dog Chews?
Personally, I don’t like to give my dogs human foods (except for when they have an upset tummy or diarrhea — because home remedies using human foods are recommended by our vet).
By the way, here is our ultimate list of human foods that are safe for dogs — plus, the ones that are not!
But really, the main reason I don’t give my dogs human foods is because I don’t want them begging when we’re eating. It’s a fact… if you happen to be eating something that your dog has tasted before (and enjoyed), then they will most likely want — or expect — some of it whenever they smell it again.
In order to avoid all of that, we’ve been careful not to feed our dogs human foods — especially from the dinner table!
That said, there are only 3 foods that I will give my dogs as treats (usually outside). They are:
- Carrots – The only one that qualifies as a “dog chew”, in my opinion. More on carrots in a minute!
- Watermelon – Giving your dogs watermelon is a practical way to use all the pieces you cut too close to the rind — that will taste a tad bitter. I also freeze leftover watermelon pieces and give them to my dogs to enjoy outside in the summertime. (Dog’s shouldn’t eat the watermelon rind itself.)
- Peanut Butter – It’s a quick & easy filler for the dogs’ Kongs and keeps other goodies from falling out. Plus, it can be smeared on Licki Mats, dog bones, and other treat toys for longer play time.
Since we rarely eat those 3 things (and would never give any to the dogs when we are eating those things), our dogs don’t beg for them — they simply appreciate the random occasions that they get to enjoy those foods as treats.
Raw carrots are great as healthy, all-natural dog treats! And they last long enough to be considered “dog chews” in my opinion.
When given a whole carrot, my dogs tend to slowly gnaw away at it primarily using their front teeth (the way we humans eat an ear of corn) — so it’s a great way to get those front teeth “brushed”!
It takes less than 1 hour for my dogs to demolish a whole carrot though. When frozen, a full-size carrot can a little bit longer — but not much. In fact, when my dogs are given whole frozen carrots, they will sometimes bite off small chunks at a time, rather than gnaw at the carrot slowly.
The best part about carrots as dog chews is:
- They are super healthy.
- They are relatively cheap.
- They last a long time in the refrigerator (and freezer).
So I usually keep raw carrots in the fridge at all times and give one to each dog — once a week or so — as healthy, semi long lasting dog chews!
TIP: If you have light-colored carpet, make sure your dog chews carrots only on their dog bed, on a towel, or outside — because the carrots will leave a light orange tint on the carpet. (A damp cloth removed the stain very easily from my light tan living room rug.)
Here are 6 clever ways to give your dog carrots.
And now, just for fun…
Long Lasting Dog Chews – In Order Of My Dogs’ Favorites
Just like humans, no two dogs are alike. Every single dog will have a different order for their favorite dog chews.
Following are my dogs’ personal preferences — in order:
NOTE: I currently have two 45-lb Golden Retriever/Australian Shepherd mixed breed dogs who are strong chewers. The order of this list remains generally the same even when I factor in the types of chews that my previous dogs enjoyed. (An American Eskimo, a Black Lab, and a Black Lab/Great Pyrenees mix.) So this list summarizes my experience with 5 dogs over the past 30 years!
These are my dogs’ favorite chews… the ones that they gravitate to first:
- Cow hooves — because of the smell right away, and the chew factor after that
- Beef trachea — because of the ease of gnawing off small, chewy bits at a time
- Kongs stuffed with treats — because of the variety of dog treats inside
- Fresh bones from the butcher — because of the bits of fresh meat attached to raw bones
- Bully sticks — because the smell is so strong and they’re relatively easy to chew small pieces off
- Pressed rawhide — because of the ease of gnawing off small, chewy bits over time
- Whole elk antlers — because of the rough edges that make it easier to grab on and chew for long lengths of time
- Split elk antlers — because of the marrow in the middle that’s easily accessible, but it’s very hard and not that strong of a draw for my dogs
- Himalayan chews — because of the ease of biting off bite-sized pieces and eating them quickly
- Cow ears — because of the ease of biting off small pieces (which I don’t let my dogs eat) — they just chew them off, spit them out, and leave them on the rug for me to pick up
- Goat horns — because of their “slickness”, they’re harder to hold onto for long periods of time, and the hard marrow in the center doesn’t seem to be much of a draw
- Benebone dog chew toy — because it’s next to impossible to chew parts of it off, yet they like the rough nubs that are built into it and the even rougher spots where they’ve chewed on it
The Bottom Line
Longer lasting dog chews mean:
- Longer periods of healthy chewing
- Less boredom
- Greater brain stimulation
- Less destruction (chewing on things they shouldn’t)
Plus, they’re great for your dog’s teeth!
That is, unless your dog is an overly aggressive chewer…
An aggressive chewer is a dog that chews mainly for the purpose of destroying. If your dog tends to bite down (rather than gnaw) when chewing, then your dog is an aggressive chewer.
TIP: If your dog chews to destroy, then you need to supervise very closely to see how your dog chews on each of the items above. Be sure to check your dog’s teeth regularly — for fractures and/or excessive wear — as both would require a visit to the veterinarian’s office.
Here are a few interesting things that I’ve learned from doing this experiment:
- Bigger bones and chews are not necessarily preferred by my dogs — they like medium-sized dog chews that they can more easily maneuver.
- Odd-shaped elk antler dog chews are the best ones according to my dogs, because they have more places to grab onto the antler — so now I look for lots of bulges at the base and irregular-shaped antlers.
- Split antlers that have the marrow easily accessible are not necessarily preferred by my dogs — so I tend to buy split antler dog chews only when they’re on sale and buy whole antlers most of the time instead.
- The smellier the better, in my dogs’ opinion!
Are you wondering which size dog chews you should be buying?
Here’s a good size guide:
- Small size dog chews — best for 10 to 20 lb. dogs
- Medium size dog chews — best for 20 to 45 lb. dogs
- Large size dog chews — best for 45 lb. dogs and larger
The right sized bones can save Fido a lot of dental trouble and save you tons of money. I usually recommend feeding lamb or goat bones twice a week [instead of beef, buffalo, or bison shank bones]. The abrasive action of these hard, but not too thick, bones is perfect for keeping your dog’s teeth shiny without the risk of dental fractures. ~Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM
I’ve tried to include every single type of long lasting dog chew in my experiment. I personally cannot think of another type of dog chew that would be considered long-lasting.
If I’ve missed one, please let me know in the comments.
Other types of dog chews do exist — but, unfortunately, they are more like a quick snack than a long lasting dog chew for my dogs!
What About Rawhide Bones?
While I don’t give my dogs rawhide bones (I stopped that back in 1990-something), I can appreciate the following quote from the American Kennel Club regarding dogs and rawhide bones.
I think it’s a good explanation as to why some dogs may be fine with rawhide and others may not. (Mine are not. Although some of my friends have dogs that are only light chewers — and they can make a whole rawhide dog chew last a few months.)
Rawhides are meant to be long lasting chews that break down into tiny, soft pieces over time. However, strong chewers are typically able to break off large chunks that can pose a major choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage — both are life-threatening events. You can help prevent this from happening by offering an appropriately sized rawhide, but it’s best to avoid them if your dog is a very heavy chewer. For dogs that are soft chewers, rawhides are generally considered to be safe treats because these dogs don’t break them down into chunks.~American Kennel Club (AKC)
Actually, the entire article from the AKC att the link above provides thorough details about the safety of rawhide bones for dogs.
This video starts out “silly”, but it actually shows the entire process of making rawhide dog chews:
(…and here’s the Facebook post he refers to in the video.)
What If Your Dog Doesn’t Like To Chew Bones?
Here are a few things you can do to get your dog interested in a dog chew:
- Use sandpaper or a nail file to file down a few areas on elk antlers to refresh the scent.
- Dip dog chews in organic coconut oil for some added flavor — plus healthy gums, and teeth! (Coconut oil has antibacterial properties.)
- Smear some peanut butter into the nooks and crannies of a dog bone.
- Soak dog bones and chews in beef broth or chicken broth.
- Freeze it before giving to your dog. Sometimes the chill factor makes it feel better on a dog’s teeth and gums.
- Stuff holes and large areas of bones and chews with tasty treats (just about anything that you would normally put inside a Kong toy).
- Try removing dog chews (and toys) for some time period — either weeks or months. Then, re-introduce them to your dog later. (I rotate all toys, chews, and bones in our house… because variety is the spice of life!)
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I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!
