Dogs love to chew—it’s a natural instinct that helps with stress relief, dental health, and even digestion. But not all dogs chew the same way, and not all chews are created equal. Some dogs power through a bully stick in minutes, while others take their time with a trachea chew.

Choosing the right chew for your dog’s life stage and chewing style is essential for their safety and satisfaction. In this guide, we’ll cover different types of chewers, the best chews for each stage of life, how to evaluate chew density, the importance of supervision, and why we steer clear of rawhide.

The Benefits of Chewing

Chewing isn’t just a fun activity for dogs—it has real health benefits!

✔️ Releases Endorphins – The repetitive motion of chewing helps release endorphins, which promote relaxation and reduce stress. This is especially helpful for anxious or high-energy dogs.
✔️ Supports Dental Health – Natural chews help scrape away plaque and tartar buildup, leading to healthier teeth and gums.
✔️ Raw Bones Offer Even More Dental Benefits – For medium to heavy chewers, raw bones are an excellent option. The natural enzymes in raw meat help break down plaque and tartar, while the gnawing action scrapes the teeth clean.
✔️ Provides Mental Stimulation – A good chew can keep a dog occupied and engaged, preventing boredom-related behaviors like destructive chewing.

💡 Is your puppy chewing on baseboards or your favorite shoes? That’s a sign they aren’t getting enough appropriate chewing outlets! Puppies (and even some adult dogs) need daily chewing sessions with a variety of chews to stay satisfied. Providing different textures and densities will help keep them engaged and prevent them from finding their own (less desirable) chew toys.

Supervise Your Dog While Chewing

Dogs are like toddlers—they could choke on something as small as a cheerio. That’s why supervision is key whenever your dog is chewing. Even the safest chews can become a choking hazard if a dog tries to swallow a piece that’s too big.

General chew safety tips:
✔️ Always supervise your dog while they chew.
✔️ If a chew becomes small enough to fit entirely in their mouth, take it away.
✔️ Choose the right chew for your dog’s size and chewing strength.

Understanding Your Dog’s Chewing Style

Every dog has a different chewing style. Identifying your dog’s natural tendencies helps you pick a chew that keeps them engaged while preventing frustration or damage to their teeth.

  • Heavy Chewers – These dogs have powerful jaws and a strong chewing drive. They need durable chews that last longer and won’t break into dangerous shards.
  • Moderate Chewers – These pups enjoy chewing but don’t destroy their chews as quickly. They do well with a variety of chew types.
  • Light Chewers – These dogs are more delicate with their chewing and prefer softer, less dense chews.

💡 Not all dogs love the same chews! If your dog doesn’t seem interested in a particular chew, it doesn’t mean they don’t like chewing—it just means they haven’t found their favorite yet. Some dogs prefer crunchy, hollow chews like trachea, while others love dense, meaty options like bully sticks. It may take some experimenting to find the perfect fit!

How to Evaluate Chew Density: Hard vs. Flexible Chews

Choosing the right chew depends on your dog’s chewing strength and preference. Here’s how to tell the difference between a dense, long-lasting chew and a softer, more flexible chew:

✔️ Dense, Long-Lasting Chews – These are great for heavy chewers and last the longest. When you pick one up, you won’t be able to bend it. These chews require strong jaw pressure and slow breakdown over time.

  • Examples: Antlers, thick bully sticks, collagen rolls, raw bones

✔️ Flexible, Softer Chews – These are better for light to moderate chewers and have some give when you try to bend them. They’re easier to chew and digest but won’t last as long.

  • Examples: Cow ears, lamb ears, trachea, turkey tendons,thin bully sticks

Providing a mix of both ensures your dog stays engaged and gets the right level of challenge.

Choosing the Right Chew by Life Stage

Puppies (Under 6 Months)

Puppies chew to explore and to soothe teething pain. Their developing teeth are fragile, so it’s important to choose chews that are gentle yet satisfying.

✔️ Recommended for Puppies:

  • Collagen sticks – Easier to digest than rawhide and great for teething pups.
  • Tendons – A softer option that provides dental benefits.
  • Trachea – Crunchy, nutritious, and filled with glucosamine to support growing joints.
  • Lamb ears – A mild, easy-to-chew option for teething relief.

🚫 Avoid: Hard chews like antlers, which could crack baby teeth.

Adult Dogs (1-7 Years)

For adult dogs, chewing helps maintain dental health, relieve stress, and provide mental stimulation. The best chew depends on their chewing style:

✔️ For Heavy Chewers:

  • Antlers – The longest-lasting chew we’ve found! Antlers soften as dogs chew, making them a fantastic option for healthy adult heavy chewers.
  • Thick bully sticks – More durable than standard bully sticks.
  • Collagen rolls – Long-lasting and fully digestible.
  • Raw Bones – A fantastic choice for powerful chewers, offering superior dental benefits from raw meat enzymes.

✔️ For Moderate Chewers:

  • Beef and Pig ears – Great budget chew options.
  • Trachea – Crunchy and packed with joint-supporting nutrients.
  • Bully sticks – A classic choice for engagement and dental health.

✔️ For Light Chewers:

  • Turkey Tendons – Flexible, small, and an Odyssey best-seller!
  • Lamb ears – A light, easy-to-digest chew.
  • Thin or braided bully sticks – More flexible for light chewers.

Senior Dogs (7+ Years)

Older dogs may have worn or sensitive teeth, so they need softer chews that still promote dental health and joint support.

✔️ Recommended for Seniors:

  • Beef tendons – Softer on aging teeth but still satisfying.
  • Jerky – Soft, meaty, and safe.
  • Trachea Sticks– Crunchy but not too tough.

Why We Don’t Recommend Rawhides

Despite being widely available, rawhides pose several risks:

❌ Difficult to Digest – Rawhide can swell in the stomach, leading to blockages.
❌ Chemically Processed – Many rawhides are treated with bleach or formaldehyde.
❌ Choking Hazard – Large chunks can break off and cause choking or digestive issues.

Instead, we recommend fully digestible chews like collagen sticks, bully sticks, tendons, and raw bones, which provide a safe and satisfying chewing experience.

Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Chew for Your Dog

Chewing is an essential part of a dog’s life, offering mental stimulation, stress relief, and dental benefits. However, not every dog enjoys the same type of chew. If your dog doesn’t seem interested in one option, don’t give up—try different textures and densities to see what they love.

Always supervise your dog while they chew, and remove any chew that becomes small enough to swallow.

At Odyssey Pets, we offer a variety of natural, digestible, and safe chews to keep your pup happy and healthy. Stop by our store, and we’ll help you find the perfect match!