Some dogs nibble. Others treat every chew like a job to finish before lunch. If you live with the second kind, you already know the problem: most chews are gone in minutes, and the one thing that lasts, rawhide, is the one most owners want to stop buying.
Here is what to look for in a rawhide alternative for a heavy chewer, and how the common options compare.
Why owners move away from rawhide
Rawhide is the outer hide of the animal. It is tough, which is the appeal, but it breaks down slowly in the stomach, and a strong chewer can tear off a large piece and swallow it. Many rawhide chews are also chemically processed to clean and preserve the hide.
A good alternative gives you the chew time without the hard to digest pieces.
Shop Fidelis Beef Collagen Chews
Rawhide free. Fully digestible. Free shipping on orders over $50.
What a heavy chewer needs from a chew
- Digestible. Whatever your dog swallows should break down.
- Gives before teeth do. A chew that is harder than a tooth can crack one. A good test: if you would not want it knocked against your knee, it is probably too hard.
- Long enough to hold. A chew your dog can pin between the paws lasts longer and is harder to swallow whole.
- Simple ingredients. One ingredient is easier on the stomach than a long label.
The common rawhide alternatives
Collagen sticks
Made from the corium, the collagen rich inner layer of beef skin, not the outer hide. They are tough at the start and soften as your dog works them, so they wear down gradually. High in protein, low in fat, mild smell. Fidelis collagen chews are 85% crude protein and come from free range, USDA inspected cattle.
Bully sticks
Dried beef muscle. Dense, digestible and very appealing to dogs. They are richer, they have a strong smell, and they usually cost more per chew.
Antlers and hard bones
These last the longest of all, which is exactly the concern. They are very hard, and many vets warn that hard chews can crack teeth in strong chewers.
Rubber and nylon chew toys
Useful for the urge to chew, and they last for months, but they are toys, not food. Replace them when pieces start to come off.
Dental chews
Fine as a daily treat. A heavy chewer usually finishes one in a minute or two, so they do not solve the boredom problem.
Getting the most chew time
- Go up a size. For a heavy chewer, pick the size above what the weight chart says. A strong 40 pound dog does better on a 10 inch chew than a 7 inch.
- Stay in the room. No chew is safe unsupervised with a dog that bites off chunks.
- Take away the last piece. When it is small enough to swallow whole, trade it for a treat and throw it out.
- Offer it after exercise. A tired dog chews more calmly than a wound up one.
If your dog has broken a tooth before, or has a sensitive stomach, check with your vet before trying a new chew.
The short answer
For most heavy chewers, a 10 inch collagen stick is the best place to start: digestible, long lasting, low in fat, and it softens instead of splintering. A Fidelis Large 10 Inch chew is $8.50 in the 4 pack, and two 4 packs ship free.
Shop Fidelis Beef Collagen Chews
Rawhide free. Fully digestible. Free shipping on orders over $50.