Are SmartBones a good rawhide alternative?

Many owners find them a useful option for dogs they would rather not give traditional rawhide to, since they are made from vegetables and chicken rather than animal hide. Individual dogs vary in how they respond to any chew, so it is worth watching how your own dog gets on with one.

What size SmartBones chew should I buy?

Match it to your dog's weight and typical chewing style, sizing up for a strong, determined chewer and down for a smaller or gentler one. The packaging states a suggested weight range for each size.

Should I supervise my dog with a SmartBones chew?

Yes, as with any chew treat. Watch particularly as the chew gets smaller toward the end, when a piece can be more easily swallowed whole rather than chewed down further.

Do SmartBones contain real meat?

Yes, the chews are wrapped around real chicken alongside a vegetable base such as potato or sweet potato, rather than being a purely plant-based product.

Can I give my dog a SmartBones chew every day?

Treat it as an occasional extra rather than a daily habit, the same as any chew treat, and take the calories into account alongside your dog's regular meals if they are prone to putting on weight.

SmartBones reviews: what the range is like

SmartBones are a popular rawhide-alternative chew aimed at dogs who enjoy a long, satisfying chew without the specific concerns some owners have about traditional rawhide. They come in bone, stick and twist shapes across a few sizes and flavours, generally chicken or a vegetable and chicken blend, giving most dogs an option that suits their size and chewing style.

What SmartBones actually are

Rather than being made from animal hide, SmartBones chews are built from vegetables, most commonly potato or sweet potato, wrapped around real chicken, then shaped and dried into a bone or stick form. The result chews down more like a dense treat than a traditional rawhide chew, which some owners prefer for dogs who tend to swallow large rawhide pieces rather than working through them slowly.

The range spans several sizes, from small chews suited to smaller dogs to larger bones for bigger, more determined chewers, plus a few flavour variants built around the same basic chicken-and-vegetable format.

Choosing the right size and how to supervise

Match the size to your dog's weight and jaw strength rather than going by breed alone, since chewing style varies a lot between individual dogs of the same size. As with any chew, supervise your dog while they have it, particularly toward the end when the chew is smaller and easier to attempt to swallow whole.

A dog who chews very fast and aggressively may get through a SmartBones chew quicker than a slower, more methodical chewer, which is worth factoring in if you are choosing based on how long you want the chew to last rather than size alone.

Where they fit alongside other chews

SmartBones are a reasonable rotation option alongside natural chews such as tripe sticks or antler, giving a dog some variety in texture and chewing time rather than relying on one product for every chew session. Rotating chew types can also make it easier to spot which ones a particular dog enjoys most and manages safely.

As with any long-lasting chew, they are a supervised treat rather than something to leave with a dog unattended for an extended period, and they are best offered as an occasional extra alongside a complete daily diet rather than a meal replacement.

Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs

£2.35

Common questions

Are SmartBones a good rawhide alternative?: Many owners find them a useful option for dogs they would rather not give traditional rawhide to, since they are made from vegetables and chicken rather than animal hide. Individual dogs vary in how they respond to any chew, so it is worth watching how your own dog gets on with one.
What size SmartBones chew should I buy?: Match it to your dog's weight and typical chewing style, sizing up for a strong, determined chewer and down for a smaller or gentler one. The packaging states a suggested weight range for each size.
Should I supervise my dog with a SmartBones chew?: Yes, as with any chew treat. Watch particularly as the chew gets smaller toward the end, when a piece can be more easily swallowed whole rather than chewed down further.
Do SmartBones contain real meat?: Yes, the chews are wrapped around real chicken alongside a vegetable base such as potato or sweet potato, rather than being a purely plant-based product.
Can I give my dog a SmartBones chew every day?: Treat it as an occasional extra rather than a daily habit, the same as any chew treat, and take the calories into account alongside your dog's regular meals if they are prone to putting on weight.

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.