Complete Guide to Natural Chews
Good dental care is one of the most important, and most overlooked parts of keeping your dog healthy. While brushing your dog’s teeth is still the gold standard, natural chews and treats can play a major role in reducing plaque, strengthening gums, and keeping teeth clean between brushes. In this guide, we’ll explore why dental treats matter, how often dogs should have them, and what benefits each type of natural chew can bring.
Why Natural Treats Help With Dental Care
Dogs naturally use chewing to keep their teeth clean. In the wild, chewing bones, tendons, and hide would scrape off plaque, maintain jaw strength, and support healthy gums. Today, many dogs eat soft commercial diets that don’t provide the abrasion their teeth need — which often leads to tartar buildup, smelly breath, and gum disease.
Natural chews work because:
The abrasive action helps remove plaque before it hardens into tartar.
Gnawing strengthens jaw muscles and supports gum health.
The chewing time reduces boredom and stress, encouraging healthier behaviour.
Some treats contain natural collagen, glucosamine, and minerals that support joint and dental health.
How Often Should Dogs Have Dental Treats?
For dental benefits, most dogs should have a natural chew 2–4 times per week, depending on:
Their size
Their chewing strength
Any digestive sensitivities
The hardness of the treat
Harder chews (like ostrich bone or camel skin) can be given 1–2 times per week, while softer or more digestible options (like fish skins or rabbit ears) can be given more frequently. Always supervise chewing and choose appropriate sizes.
🦴 Bone-Based Chews (Long-Lasting & Abrasive)
These are ideal for strong chewers and provide excellent mechanical cleaning.
Ostrich Bone
Lightweight but incredibly tough, ostrich bone is a long-lasting chew that helps scrape plaque from teeth. It’s low-fat, hypoallergenic, and ideal for power chewers.
Ostrich Ribs
Softer than an ostrich bone but still firm, ribs provide crunch and abrasion without being too dense—good for medium to strong chewers.
Ostrich Foot
A unique chew that contains natural keratin and cartilage. Excellent for dental scraping and rich in joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine.
🐄 Beef & Buffalo Chews (High Abrasion, High Satisfaction)
These chews provide natural texture variety and are particularly good for dogs who love to gnaw.
Beef Tail
A firm, crunchy chew that naturally removes plaque. Great for medium chewers and tends to last longer than ears or skin chews.
Beef Muscle Pieces
Chewy, meaty, and full of natural protein. The dense texture encourages slow chewing and helps massage the gums.
Beef Bark
A tough, grain-free chew with a fibrous texture that scrapes the teeth as dogs work through it.
Buffalo Braid
Made from braided buffalo skin, this chew is long-lasting with natural ridges that help clean between teeth. Good for moderate to strong chewers.
🐪 Exotic & Long-Lasting Skin Chews
Ideal for dogs that need a durable dental workout.
Camel Skin Plate
Extremely long-lasting with a coarse texture that acts like natural dental floss. Great for strong chewers who destroy standard treats quickly.
🐇 Rabbit Treats (Low-Fat, Hypoallergenic, Great for Sensitive Tummies)
These are perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitive digestion.
Rabbit Ears
A gentle chew, great for beginners and puppies. They help clean the teeth while supporting digestion—especially hairy ears, which help with natural worm prevention.
Rabbit Skin
A longer-lasting chew than ears, still digestible but with more texture to scrape teeth.
Rabbit Skin Roll
Rolled into a tougher shape, these last longer and give a good dental workout while remaining low-fat and hypoallergenic.
🦌 Venison Chews (Hairy, Natural, and Excellent for Digestion)
Hairy Venison Leg
A long-lasting, fully furry chew that helps clean the teeth and the digestive tract. The hair provides a natural fibre source that can help sweep the gut.
🐟 Fish-Based Treats (Crunchy, Low-Fat, Omega-3-Rich)
These treats are especially good for skin, coat, and dental health.
Fish Braid
Crunchy and abrasive, these help remove plaque while offering omega-3 benefits for inflammation and gum health.
Fish Skin
Light, crunchy, and ideal for daily dental cleaning. Excellent for dogs who need a softer option that still scrapes the teeth.
🐔 Poultry Chews (Light, Crunchy, and Highly Digestible)
Chicken Feet
Naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin. The crunch helps remove plaque, and the small size makes them great for regular use.
🐄 Hairy, Natural “Toothbrush-Style” Chews
Hairy chews mimic the natural prey diet and give extra dental benefits.
Hairy Cow Ear
Lower-fat than pig ears and gently abrasive. The hair helps clean the digestive tract while the chew cleans the teeth.
Final Thoughts on Dental Treats for Dogs
Natural chews are one of the best ways to support your dog’s dental health between brushings. They help reduce plaque, strengthen gums, keep teeth cleaner, and encourage natural chewing behaviours. By offering a mix of soft, medium, and long-lasting chews, you provide your dog with a dental routine that keeps both their mouth and mind healthy.
