Are SmartBones better than rawhide?

They are generally considered more digestible by owners looking to avoid rawhide specifically, since they are made from vegetables and chicken rather than animal hide. Whether one suits your dog better than the other still comes down to their individual chewing style and how they tolerate it.

Can puppies have SmartBones?

Check the size and age guidance on the specific pack, and introduce any chew gradually with supervision. A puppy's teeth and jaw are still developing, so a size genuinely appropriate for their current stage matters more than the brand.

Should I supervise my dog with a SmartBones chew?

Yes, as with any long-lasting chew. Supervision matters most the first few times a dog has a new product, and for any dog that tends to break off and swallow large pieces rather than chewing them down gradually.

What sizes do SmartBones come in?

The range includes different sizes such as mini and medium bones, along with stick-shaped chews, aimed at different dog sizes. Checking the size guidance against your dog's weight is worth doing before choosing one.

Is SmartBones good for dogs?

SmartBones are chews shaped like a rawhide bone but made without rawhide, built instead from vegetables and chicken wrapped around a starch-based core. For most dogs they are a reasonable rawhide alternative, but 'good for dogs' still comes down to picking the right size and supervising any chew the way you would any other, rather than the product being risk-free simply for not containing rawhide.

What SmartBones are made from

The bones are built around a starch and vegetable base rather than animal hide, with a chicken or other flavoured wrap around the outside. That construction is generally more digestible than traditional rawhide, which some dogs struggle to break down properly, and it is the main selling point of the range for owners specifically avoiding rawhide.

The range also includes smaller stick and mini shapes alongside the classic bone, aimed at different dog sizes and chewing styles rather than one product fitting every dog.

What to watch for, regardless of the chew

Any long-lasting chew, rawhide-free included, should be sized appropriately for the dog using it — too small for a large, determined chewer is a choking risk, and any chew should be given under supervision rather than left with a dog unattended, particularly the first few times with a new product.

As with introducing any new treat, start with one and watch how your dog manages it and how they tolerate it digestively, rather than assuming a rawhide-free label means no adjustment period is needed.

Who SmartBones tend to suit

They suit an owner specifically looking to move away from rawhide, or a dog that has previously struggled with rawhide chews, and want something with a longer chew time than a soft treat but without the digestibility concerns some owners associate with traditional hide-based chews.

They are less suited to extremely powerful chewers who destroy most chews quickly regardless of material, in which case size and supervision matter even more than the specific product chosen.

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Common questions

Are SmartBones better than rawhide?: They are generally considered more digestible by owners looking to avoid rawhide specifically, since they are made from vegetables and chicken rather than animal hide. Whether one suits your dog better than the other still comes down to their individual chewing style and how they tolerate it.
Can puppies have SmartBones?: Check the size and age guidance on the specific pack, and introduce any chew gradually with supervision. A puppy's teeth and jaw are still developing, so a size genuinely appropriate for their current stage matters more than the brand.
Should I supervise my dog with a SmartBones chew?: Yes, as with any long-lasting chew. Supervision matters most the first few times a dog has a new product, and for any dog that tends to break off and swallow large pieces rather than chewing them down gradually.
What sizes do SmartBones come in?: The range includes different sizes such as mini and medium bones, along with stick-shaped chews, aimed at different dog sizes. Checking the size guidance against your dog's weight is worth doing before choosing one.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.