How to choose the right chew for your dog

Chewing can be a wonderfully satisfying activity for dogs. The right chew depends on more than size alone. Age, chewing strength, teeth and personal preferences all play a part.

Here is a practical guide to help you make a suitable choice.

For small dogs

Lamb ears, rabbit ears and dried fish are good places to start. Their size is easier for many smaller dogs to handle, and they are generally less firm than our larger chews.

Our salmon roll is another option for a shorter chew. Although it is part of our treat selection, its firm texture makes it suitable as a small snack to nibble on.

For medium sized dogs

Medium sized dogs can enjoy almost the entire Natura range. The XL horse bone is the only product we would usually reserve for larger dogs with the appropriate chewing strength and experience.

As always, the best choice depends on the individual dog.

For large dogs and strong chewers

Larger dogs can choose from the complete Natura range. Smaller products such as lamb ears, dried fish or salmon rolls may not keep a strong chewer busy for very long, but they can still be a tasty natural snack.

For longer chewing sessions, larger ears and other substantial Natura products are usually the better choice.

What about senior dogs?

For older dogs, softer and smaller products such as lamb ears, rabbit ears or dried fish may be suitable. However, age alone does not determine the right chew.

Dental health and individual chewing ability are more important. If you are unsure, speak to your vet before offering a firm or particularly hard product.

A quick nibble or longer entertainment?

Dried fish and salmon rolls are ideal when you want to offer a smaller snack.

Most other Natura products provide a longer chewing experience. The actual duration will always depend on your dog’s size, technique and enthusiasm. Some dogs take their time. Others treat a chew like a personal speed challenge.

Rabbit ears with fur

Rabbit ears with fur may look unusual at first, especially if you have never offered them before. At our market stall, we often see that initial hesitation disappear once owners notice how much their dogs enjoy them.

The fur is a natural part of the product. It is not digestible in the same way as the rest of the chew, so suitability and tolerance should always be assessed individually.

A strong smell can be part of the appeal

Pig ears and beef ears can have a noticeable natural smell. Humans do not always consider this their best feature, but dogs often have a very different opinion.

The smell comes from the natural product itself and can make the chew particularly appealing.

Always supervise chewing

Dogs should always be supervised while chewing. Choose a product that suits your dog’s size and chewing strength, and provide fresh drinking water.

Remove small remaining pieces if they could be swallowed whole. Extra care is required with very hard bones, as unsuitable chewing can place stress on the teeth.

The right chew should provide enjoyment without asking you to ignore common sense.