Are natural animal-part chews safer than rawhide?

They are a different product rather than automatically safer — any hard or long-lasting chew carries some risk of a dog breaking off and swallowing a large piece. Always size the chew to your dog and supervise, particularly the first few times with something new.

How often can I give my dog these chews?

As an occasional treat rather than daily, since they are rich and calorie-dense for their size. Introducing one for the first time can also cause a temporary loose stool in some dogs, so start with a short session rather than leaving a whole chew unsupervised.

Do these chews need refrigerating?

Most natural, dried chews like these do not need refrigeration and store fine in a cupboard, but always check the individual pack, since moisture content and processing can vary between products even within the same range.

Natural animal-part dog chews

This range covers chews made from a single animal part rather than a manufactured recipe — things like tripe sticks, ears and feet — which appeals to owners wanting a short, recognisable ingredients list rather than a processed treat. There is nowhere for an unwanted additive to hide in a chew that is just one dried part.

What's actually in this range

Hollings Tripe Sticks and Bestpets Fish Sticks are both single-ingredient chews, dried down from one part of the animal with nothing added, while Naw Goat Ears offer a different texture again — tougher and longer-lasting for a dog that wants to work at something.

Chewllagen Beef Bar sits somewhere between the two, a collagen-based chew that is still a single, recognisable ingredient rather than a mixed recipe with additives. and it is a softer option than a goat ear for an older dog with fewer teeth to work with.

Feeding these safely

Match the size of the chew to your dog rather than the price — a chew that is too small for a large dog can be swallowed almost whole, which is more of a choking risk than the same chew given to a dog it actually fits.

These are rich, occasional treats rather than an everyday food, and a dog trying one for the first time can get a looser stool simply from something new and rich, so introduce a new chew type gradually rather than all at once.

Introducing a new chew

Offer a new chew type for a short supervised session the first time rather than leaving your dog alone with it, both to see how quickly they work through it and to check it agrees with them before making it a regular treat.

Pick it up and put it away once it gets down to a small end piece, the same way you would with a bone, since a small leftover piece is more of a swallowing risk than the same chew was at full size.

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Common questions

Are natural animal-part chews safer than rawhide?: They are a different product rather than automatically safer — any hard or long-lasting chew carries some risk of a dog breaking off and swallowing a large piece. Always size the chew to your dog and supervise, particularly the first few times with something new.
How often can I give my dog these chews?: As an occasional treat rather than daily, since they are rich and calorie-dense for their size. Introducing one for the first time can also cause a temporary loose stool in some dogs, so start with a short session rather than leaving a whole chew unsupervised.
Do these chews need refrigerating?: Most natural, dried chews like these do not need refrigeration and store fine in a cupboard, but always check the individual pack, since moisture content and processing can vary between products even within the same range.

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.