If you’re a dog, there’s nothing like a good chew session to relax, unwind and get in touch with your inner canine self. Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, a beloved pastime that helps them explore the environment around them, alleviate anxiety and boredom, strengthen their jaws and even clean their teeth. (Plus, it’s just plain fun!)
In the wild, dogs and wolves gnaw on animal bones. But at home, there are safer (and less messy) options. Ready to treat your best friend’s chompers to a toothsome treat? Read on for everything you need to know about the best long-lasting dog chews, including expert veterinarian advice and product recommendations from pet parents like you.
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Best Overall Long-Lasting Dog ChewSmartBones SmartSticks Peanut Butter Dog Treats, 25 count $13 on Chewy
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How To Find the Longest Lasting Chews for Dogs
Chews offer many health benefits, but it’s important to select the correct product for your individual pup.
“While practicing, I’ve undoubtedly seen the benefits chewing can provide dogs, from stimulating their natural foraging instincts to reducing plaque buildup,” says Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of West Monroe in Louisiana, who holds a dual DVM/PhD in veterinary dentistry. “However, I’ve also treated cases where inappropriate chews sadly resulted in costly dental repairs or even surgical removals of foreign bodies.”
When selecting a chew, consider the following:
- Your veterinarian’s advice: First and foremost, consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s behavior, current chewing habits or dental health. Your veterinarian will also be able to offer advice on the best chews for your dog.
- Ingredients: Carefully check the ingredients before purchasing a chew, especially if your dog has any food sensitivities or allergies.
- Type of chew: Different types of chews offer different benefits (more on that below!). Before shopping, decide which is best for your dog: antler, rawhide, natural, bully or Himalayan.
- Your dog’s size: Size matters! Small dogs won’t be able to get their jaws around chews that are too big, and tiny chews can be choking hazards for large breeds. Check the manufacturer’s packaging for breed size recommendations.
- Your dog’s health: In addition to food sensitivities, consider your dog’s dental health. If your pet is awaiting dental work, choose a softer chew until their mouth is healed and healthy. Because they often have less jaw strength, puppies and seniors should also opt for softer chews.
9 Best Long-Lasting Dog Chews
We’ve rounded up the best dog chews as tested and approved by Chewy customers. These nine top-selling, top-rated chews get two paws up from dog parents like you.
Best Overall Long-Lasting Dog Chew
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Best Customer Service
I love shopping with Chewy! Items are always sent out quickly and if you have a problem with your order they immediately rectify the problem. You just can’t beat them in price and lightning quick shipping!
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Boy's love them
Had two mutts dumped on us, they love these. Keeps them busy. The first time they didn't know what they were.Now they look for them.Chewy is the best!
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Always a hit
My three dogs always get a greenie in their crate but sometimes I like to switch things up with Smartsticks. The dogs always enjoy them although they don't last very long.
Best Antler Dog Chew
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Great for my big dog
I ordered some other ones and they were much too small for my 6 month old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy
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Awesome!
These are great for our super chewer boxer! Bigger than expected. Keeps him busy for hours. I get slightly concerned if a piece were to break off, so I wouldn't give it to him while I'm not home. Diesel can only have kongs, and antler bones because right now it the only things he cannot destroy
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Charlie loves it!
We have gotten antler bones before, and these are great! they last a super long time and the large size is great for charlie who is 75lbs.
Best Rawhide Dog Chew
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Amazingly delicious
My 3 pups all give this a high paw They inhaled these and asked for more. Definitely give it a try if you have picky eaters for treats.
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Good & Fun Dog Treats
My dog is very particular with treats. He has always loved these multi flavored treat. They are made with real meat and for one chew stick with 3 different flavors, it really is a treat!
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Sticks
My dog, Cookie, loves them. I give her one each morning and she smacks on it. I wish they were a little more less in price.
Best Natural Dog Chew
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Pig ears
I have 3 Dogs and every dog treat I buy from Chewy is a winner. They love these pig ears and it keeps them quiet.
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Pig Ear
My dog Seaweed loves this treats, she hides em up and down the house for an hour before she actually eats it. It's her little treasure
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Don’t last long !
These pig ears don’t last long my dogs LOVE them. Keeps them bust for a couple hours and helps me get things done around the house.
Best Bully Stick
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Loves them
Molly loves these bully sticks. She thinks she needs to have 1 every day. This is the perfect size for her holder
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are a great size
I have a standard poodle and she loves them. we do make sure that they only get down about 4 inches and then throw them away. there are choking hazards with these. wish they were in the 18-in length this thick. we used to get them that size but can't find them anymore.
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Great bully sticks
I have a Doberman who has a powerful jaw. She goes through small bully sticks in under 5 minutes. Not so with these. They are thick and long and she spends whole afternoons chewing them. I am very satisfied with this product. .
Best Himalayan Dog Chew
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I’m used to paying $13 for one yak, this was 4 for $18. Seemed crunchier, but well worth the money.
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My dogs love these. I have 2 Maltese and 1 is a prolific chewer and these last without breaking off and last a while.
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Good deal
My dog goes crazy for these. I let her chew for about an hour each morning and it keeps her occupied and happy while I do other things. I like that you can microwave the end piece for an extra special treat. The 4-pack is a pretty good deal and I’ll keep buying these.
Best Long-Lasting Chew for Small Dogs
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Chewys the best!
I have shopped at chewy several years now, and I truly appreciate all of those years being a chewy customer. Great prices, great service, great folks there! I recommend chewy to everyone I know that has pets! You can't go wrong shopping at chewy! Love you guys!
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Necessity
Dogs have to start the day off with a smart bone. They love the flavor and it’s good for their teeth
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Delicious
Our dog loves these! He likes to throw them around like a soccer ball first then he grabs them and eats them. He’s an agressive chewer and we are trying to avoid rawhide and this is the best replacement for him. It gives him the opportunity to chew on a nice healthy treat and he has already eaten the whole bag so I will have to double the order amount!
Best Long-Lasting Chew for Large Dogs
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No nasty smell
Our grand dog who’s a Great Pyrenees loves these treats. Takes her a little time to finish so it keeps her busy. No mess and no smell.
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Just Right
I have a Rottweiler who chews through stuff very quickly. I don't want to give him something to hard or not digestible. These fit the bill!
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These choose through my dogs diet off
I was giving three times a week and it put the weight on my dog. Maybe I was giving it to her too much -not sure.
Best Long-Lasting Bone Chew
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Roasted Marrow bone
3 pittie mixes.....JUST LOVE THEM.....just wish they didn't sound like a fire cracker when they hit the tile floor
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Lilly Lu waits at the door when the big truck FedEx arrives. This bone is one of her favorite things in each delivery. Besides her actual Chewy food deliveries, she can sniff out this marrow bone from anywhere in the house! APROOVED!!!!! by Lilly Lu
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Great fast service
Delivery people broke the bag and the ants got in and destroyed the food. Thanks for the quick turn around replacement!
Types of Long-Lasting Dog Chews
There are a number of types of dog chews, each with their own unique benefits.
Antler
Antlers used for dog chews come from a variety of sources, including deer, elk and moose. They naturally vary in size, texture and shape, making them a good choice for a wide range of pups. Antlers contain many vitamins and minerals and splinter less easily than bone.
Best for: dogs who do best with limited-ingredient diets; pet parents interested in natural treats
Rawhide Chew
Rawhide chews are made from the inner layer of cow or horse hides and may contain flavorings. Some rawhide products break down more quickly than others. Because rawhide is not easily digestible, discard any smaller pieces. It’s usually not recommended for strong chewers.
Best for: puppies, seniors and other dogs, who don’t have a strong bite or aggressive chewing habits
Natural Chew
Natural dog chews are single-ingredient products sourced from a variety of protein sources, including pork, beef and venison. Natural chews are made from body parts such as ears, bones and tendons, which have been dried and dehydrated.
Best for: dogs who do best with single-ingredient treats; ingredient-conscious pet parents
Bully Stick
Bully sticks are made from pizzle (also known as bull penis), a high-protein, highly digestible beef muscle not typically processed for human consumption. Once dehydrated, the muscles are shaped into a variety of sizes and shapes, making them appropriate for many dog breeds and ages.
Best for: dogs who easily tolerate beef; pet parents interested in single-ingredient treats
Himalayan Chew
Also known as “yak chews,” Himalayan chews are made from yak and cow milk, along with salt and lime juice or vinegar. After boiling, the curds are shaped into chews and dried. The resulting hard, cheese-like product takes a long time to break down and makes for an enticing treat.
Best for: dogs who tolerate dairy
Note: When searching for dog chews, you’ll probably come across nylon chew toys. While they tend to be more durable than natural bones and often feature textured surfaces to clean teeth, they’re usually inedible—meant more for encouraging chewing than actually eating.
Dog Chew Safety Tips
It’s important to offer your pup plenty of opportunities to gnash and gnaw. However, safety comes first! Consider the following tips from Dr. Ochoa:
- Harder isn’t always better. Many pet parents make the understandable mistake of selecting chews that are too hard. While extra-hard chews are less likely to splinter apart and may last longer, they can also damage teeth that aren’t up to the task. In general, a chew should give slightly when you press your nail into it; however, some dogs—including puppies, seniors, and those experiencing dental issues—may need a softer option. “It’s vital to match the chew to each dog’s needs, from young puppies to senior pets,” says Dr. Ochoa. “Hard chews could crack teeth in unintended ways.”
- Mix it up. Different shaped chews work different parts of the mouth. For example, a dental chew targets the teeth and gumline, while a bully stick is more about jaw work. Offer your pup a variety of options to prevent over-stimulating one area. “To best promote dental health without hazard, I suggest rotating between chew varieties,” says Dr. Ochoa.
- Avoid artificial ingredients. When possible, choose a chew with the cleanest and least amount of ingredients, avoiding dyes and preservatives, advises Dr. Ochoa.
- Supervision, supervision, supervision. Avoid giving your pup a chew treat and walking away, especially if you’re trying a product for the first time, says Dr. Ochoa. “Supervision remains key, since some chews could present choking issues in the wrong situation.”
Long-Lasting Dog Chews FAQ
Q: Why do dogs chew?
A: Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs. It allows them to explore the world around them, providing both important information and exciting enrichment.
Q: Is chewing good for dogs?
A: Chewing offers a variety of health benefits for dogs. Chewing helps puppies relieve teething pain and allows older dogs to maintain jaw strength while cleaning their teeth. Chewing also provides mental stimulation, prevents boredom and can help relieve anxiety.
Q: Can I give my dog a chew every day?
A: Chews can be an appropriate daily treat for some dogs, but it’s important to rotate between chew varieties to avoid dental damage. Different chews work different areas of the jaw and teeth, and you don’t want to overdo it in any one spot for too long, which could cause damage. Additionally, be mindful of how many calories are in the chews; treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
Q: How long should my dog have a chew for?
A: Every dog and chew is different. However, as a general rule, a 10-15 minute gnawing session should be enough to satisfy your pup, and any longer could result in tooth or gum damage.
Q: What size chew should I give my dog?
A: Chews that are too small for your pup can pose a choking hazard, so take the size of your pet’s mouth into consideration. If your dog can fit the entire chew in their mouth at once, it’s too small and you’ll want to size up to something larger.
Q: Can puppies have dog chews?
A: Chews are great at providing entertainment for puppies, as well as relief from teething. Puppies should be given softer chews than adult dogs, and, as with dogs of any age, should always be supervised. Wait until your puppy is at least 8-weeks old to introduce chews.
How We Chose These Products
Chewing is an important part of being a dog, offering both physical and mental benefits. Failing to offer quality chewing opportunities can negatively impact your pup’s health (as well as your couch cushions!). That’s why we rounded up these best-of-the-best products, as chosen by satisfied Chewy customers. Backed by hundreds of reviews and ratings (4 stars and more), these top-rated bestsellers have proven to be engaging and long-lasting tools in keeping dogs healthy and happy.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
Chews should not be a substitute for regular dental care and should be used in addition to mentally engaging activities such as training, play sessions, walks and exercise. Before introducing a new chew into your dog’s routine, consult your veterinarian and address any concerns about your dog’s dental health or behavior. Never leave your dog alone with a chew to prevent any possibility of choking.
“With guidance, chews offer enormous mental stimulation alongside their dental benefits. Chews done right absolutely have their place for most canine companions,” says Dr. Ochoa. “But as with any new item, consulting your vet ensures safe enjoyment tailored perfectly to Fido.”
Next Steps for Dog Chew Success
Chews are an easy, fun way to help keep your dog’s brain busy and chompers clean! However, just like us humans, dogs require regular dental care to maintain their teeth and oral health. For more ways to keep your pup’s pearly whites gleaming, check out these dental care tips for dogs.
Expert input provided by Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of West Monroe in Louisiana, who holds a dual DVM/PhD in veterinary dentistry.
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