Which chew to choose for your dog? The comparison guide
Choosing a chew for your dog can seem simple, until you discover all the options available! Bully stick, collagen, yak cheese, ear, esophagus, trachea, beef cheek, tilapia, rabbit skin with fur: each chew has its own particularities.
The right choice depends on four things: the size of your dog, its chewing style, its sensitivities and, of course, its preferences! 🐶
Some dogs love very firm, dense chews to work hard, while others prefer a softer, easy to gnaw texture. Some dogs look for stronger smelling chews, while others like everything! And their tastes can even change over time!
In short, just like us humans! 🐶💚
💚 Our philosophy: natural chews
At Happy Chew, we have chosen to focus on natural chews for dogs, made from a single ingredient of animal origin, with no chemicals or preservatives.
We also favor chews from parts of animals raised for human consumption that are less eaten by humans, but that can offer dogs delicious and nutritious chews. 🐶💚
That is why you will not find chews made of nylon, plastic or rawhide at Happy Chew. We prefer to offer products of natural origin, with simple ingredients and a variety of textures, proteins and hardness levels.
Our philosophy is simple: simple ingredients, natural products and a way to value what our dogs can eat rather than waste it.
🦴 Comparison table of the main dog chews
Here is how to find your way and choose the chews best suited to your dog.
| Chew | Duration | Texture | Smell | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esophagus | Short | Soft | Very strong | Small treat |
| Ear | Short | Firm | Low to moderate | Moderate chewer |
| Trachea | Short | Soft | Low to moderate | Moderate chewer |
| Tilapia | Short | Soft | Strong | Light chewer |
| Rabbit skin with fur | Short | Soft | Low | Dog that likes fur |
| Bully stick | Medium | Firm | Low | Most dogs |
| Collagen | Long | Dense | Almost none | Moderate to heavy chewer |
| Beef cheek stick | Long | Firm and dense | Very strong | Moderate to heavy chewer |
| Yak cheese | Very long | Very hard | Low | Moderate to heavy chewer |
| Beef or buffalo cheek roll | Very long | Very dense | Low to moderate | Heavy chewer |
| Buffalo collagen mega ring | Very long | Very dense | Low | Heavy chewer |
The duration varies with the size of the chew and above all with the dog’s chewing power.
💪 What type of chewer is your dog?
🐶 Light chewer
This is the nibbler dog that spends days slowly gnawing a single chew, or that loses interest over time.
🐾 Moderate chewer
This is the selective dog that must satisfy its need to chew with the treats of its choice. It eats some treats and ignores others. It will take its time gnawing its reward, which it may finish within the same day.
💥 Heavy chewer
This is the dog that chews anything and everything, aggressively, quickly and with power. It is a race! Start the clock! 😂
For this dog, prefer dense, resistant chews suited to its size, such as collagen, beef or buffalo cheeks, yak cheese or large formats.
🐶 The different chews
🐶 The esophagus
A dog favorite, strong smelling and easy to gnaw. Perfect as a pleasure treat, but less suited to a heavy chewer looking to stay busy for a long time.
🐷 The ear
A firm chew with a crunchier part. The base of the ear, thicker, is harder to gnaw and offers a more resistant chew. Available in different proteins: beef, pork, lamb, rabbit, with or without fur.
🦴 The trachea
A chew for dogs that like to gnaw quietly. Filled and frozen, the trachea becomes a mental stimulation activity that keeps the dog busy longer. ❄️
🐟 The tilapia
A soft and crunchy chew, short lasting, ideal for dogs that like crunchy fish. A great way to vary proteins and introduce a new flavor to your dog.
🐇 Rabbit skin with fur
A wild, local and irresistible treat! Dogs go crazy for its taste and its furry texture, and the fur can also support good digestion. 💚
🥩 The bully stick
Loved by almost all dogs, it is a great starting point to discover natural chews.
The bully stick is a 100% natural, single-ingredient chew made from beef pizzle. It is easily digestible and offered in different lengths and thicknesses.
Our bully sticks have a light beef smell, just enough to attract dogs that like stronger smelling chews, without being too strong for you. 😉
Its duration varies with the weight, the thickness and the dog’s chewing style.
👉 Everything about the bully stick
👉 See our bully stick collection
💚 Collagen chew
Collagen offers a dense chew that lasts longer than a bully stick. Its denser texture makes it an excellent option for dogs that like to chew for a long time.
It also gives off much less smell than a bully stick, which makes it a choice appreciated by dogs and their humans alike. 😉
Collagen comes from the inner layer of beef or water buffalo skin. At Happy Chew, you will find beef and water buffalo collagen, in several formats: sticks, braids, spirals, rings and Monster formats.
It is an excellent option for dogs that like dense, durable and low odor chews.
👉 Discover our collagen chew guide
🥩 The beef cheek stick coated with bully stick
⭐ The perfect middle ground between the bully stick and collagen!
A chew that lasts longer than a bully stick, while keeping the irresistible bully stick taste. 🐶 The beef cheek brings a firm texture and a sustained chew, while its bully stick coating adds a natural, tasty flavor that dogs love.
It is therefore an excellent option for dogs that like the bully stick but are ready to move to a more durable and resistant chew, without jumping straight to collagen. 💚
🧀 Yak cheese
Yak cheese is a very hard, very long-lasting chew, particularly appreciated by dogs that like firm textures. Its chewing time is much longer than collagen.
It is also low odor, which makes it an interesting option for humans who prefer more discreet chews. 😉
At Happy Chew, our yak cheese is made from yak milk and cow milk. As with any very hard chew, it is important to choose a suitable format and to supervise your dog while it chews.
🥩 The beef or buffalo cheek roll
A chew that lasts, and that gives a real run for the money!
Its very dense and resistant texture is ideal for dogs that like to chew for a long time and that quickly finish softer chews. It is an excellent option for heavy chewers that need a truly resistant chew.
🐃 The buffalo collagen mega ring
The very best for big chewers! 💥 A real chewing challenge for heavy chewers! A very dense, very resistant and very long-lasting chew.
👉 For a heavy chewer, see our chews for big dogs collection and the Extreme Chewer box.
🐕 How to choose the right chew?
1. Consider your dog’s size
Size matters, but it is not the only criterion. A small dog can be a true chewing champion, while a big dog can chew quietly. So you should consider:
- the dog’s size and weight;
- its chewing power;
- the texture of the chew;
- the size of the product;
- and its habits when it chews.
👉 A small dog that chews very intensely may need a denser chew than a big dog that chews gently.
2. Observe its chewing style
Does your dog nibble quietly? Does it take several days to finish a chew? Or does it devour everything in a few minutes? These observations will help you choose a chew suited to its needs.
3. Vary textures and proteins
Dogs, like us, can have their preferences. Some like beef, others prefer fish, pork, lamb, rabbit or water buffalo. Regularly changing texture and protein can also make the chewing experience more interesting for your dog.
If you hesitate between several options, a mixed chew box can be a great way to discover your dog’s preferences.
👃 Your dog’s preferences
Two dogs of the same size and with a similar chewing level can have completely different preferences. Some like very strong smelling chews, others prefer a more discreet smell. Some look for a firm texture, while others prefer something softer. And of course, some dogs have their favorite protein.
Not sure yet what your dog likes? This is exactly where mixed chew boxes become interesting. They let you introduce different proteins, textures, shapes and chewing levels, without having to buy several products separately. 🐶💚
👉 A single box, several discoveries, and perhaps the chance to find your dog’s favorite chew!
🥩 What if your dog does not tolerate beef?
If your dog tolerates beef poorly, you can turn to other protein sources such as rabbit, pork, lamb, fish or water buffalo. Varying proteins can also be interesting to offer different chewing experiences.
👉 Discover our beef-free chews
🏆 Which chew lasts the longest?
There is no identical duration for all dogs. Longevity depends notably on:
- the size of the chew;
- its weight;
- its thickness;
- its density;
- and above all your dog’s chewing style.
A product that looks bigger is therefore not necessarily the one that will last the longest. The denser the chew and the better suited to the dog’s chewing style, the more potential it generally has to last a long time.
At Happy Chew, we grade our bully sticks, our collagen and our yak cheese by weight, to help you choose a format suited to your dog.
⚠️ Safety rules with chews
Whatever chew you choose:
- Choose a chew suited to your dog’s size and chewing style.
- Always supervise your dog while it chews.
- Leave fresh water available.
- Remove the chew when it becomes small enough to be swallowed whole.
- If your dog tries to swallow large pieces instead of chewing them, choose another texture or a better suited format.
Every dog chews differently. The right chew is the one that suits your dog, not necessarily the one that works for the neighbor’s dog!
🐾 So, which chew to choose?
There is no single best chew for all dogs. The right choice depends on your dog’s size, its chewing level, its sensitivities and its preferences.
Hesitating between several options? Start with a mixed chew box to let it discover different textures and proteins. You might quickly discover its new favorite! 💚
💚 The Happy Chew tip
Do not look only for the chew that lasts the longest. Look for the one your dog loves, that it chews appropriately and that matches its chewing level. Because deep down, the best chew is the one that truly makes your dog happy! 🐶💚
Browse all our natural chews and find the ones for your dog.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best chew for a dog?
There is no single best chew for every dog. The choice depends on its size, its chewing power, its sensitivities and its preferences. A small nibbler and a big crusher do not have the same needs. The table in this article helps you choose.
Which chew for a puppy?
For a puppy, prefer softer chews suited to its size, such as the esophagus, ears, tracheas or a thin bully stick. Very dense or very hard chews, such as collagen and yak cheese, should be avoided for a puppy's milk teeth.
Which chew to choose if my dog tolerates beef poorly?
You can explore alternative proteins such as rabbit, pork, lamb, fish or water buffalo, found in our beef-free chews collection. If you suspect a true food allergy, talk to your veterinarian.
How often should I give a chew?
The frequency depends on the type of chew, its size and your dog's overall diet. Offer a chew suited to its needs, keeping in mind that a chew remains a treat to include in moderation.
Do chews clean my dog's teeth?
Chewing helps limit plaque through its mechanical action. It is a good complement, but it does not replace brushing.
Can I give my dog a chew every day?
Yes, in moderation and as part of its daily ration. For a heavy chewer, a dense, long-lasting chew is better than a soft treat given every day.
Which chew to choose for a dog that chews a lot?
For a dog that chews quickly and with power, prefer dense, resistant chews, such as collagen, beef or buffalo cheeks, yak cheese or Monster formats.
Which chew to choose if my dog is picky?
Try different textures, proteins, shapes and hardness levels. A mixed chew box is a great way to discover what your dog prefers.