Top 10 Best All Natural Dog Chews

By Tibetan Dog Chew

May 21, 2025 7 min read

Key takeaways:

Natural dog chews are a safer, healthier alternative to rawhide and artificial chews—offering benefits like improved dental hygiene, joint support, and stress relief.
Key qualities of a good natural chew include simple ingredients, digestibility, appropriate size and toughness, nutritional benefits, and being free of chemicals.
Top recommended chews include yak cheese, elk antlers, beef skin, pig ears, trachea, sweet potato, tendons, bully sticks, beef tripe, and beef cheek rolls—each suiting different dog sizes and chewing behaviors.
Unsafe options like rawhide, cooked bones, and synthetic rubber toys should be avoided due to choking risks and toxic chemicals.
Safety tips include supervising your dog, removing small pieces, introducing new chews gradually, and storing them properly.

Chewing is second nature to dogs, but choosing the right chew? That’s where things get tricky.

As a caring dog parent, you want something safe, tasty, and genuinely good for your pup’s health. But with everything from rawhide and antlers to trendy yak chews on the shelves, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

The good news? Natural dog chews are a game-changer. They’re free from artificial additives, easy to digest, and offer real benefits—like promoting dental health, supporting joints, and even reducing stress.

Of course, not every “natural” chew is right for every dog. That’s why we’ve rounded up the top 10 best all-natural chews to suit every pup, from aggressive chewers to picky eaters.

Let’s find the perfect chew your fur baby will love (and you’ll feel great about giving)!

What to Look for in Natural Dog Chews?

Not all chews are created equal. Here’s what to consider when picking a safe, natural chew for your dog:

Simple Ingredients: Choose chews with one or very few ingredients—like beef cheek or yak milk—to avoid allergens and additives.
Digestibility: Go for chews that break down easily in the stomach. Avoid rawhide and anything too hard to digest.
Right Size & Toughness: Match the chew to your dog’s size and chewing style. Too small = choking risk. Too hard = tooth damage.
Nutritional Value: Look for added benefits like collagen, protein, or vitamins that support joints, digestion, or dental health.
No Chemicals:Avoid artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes. Natural is better

1. Yak Cheese Dog Chews

Yak cheese dog chews are long-lasting, all-natural treats made from yak and cow milk, salt, and lime juice. Sourced from the Himalayas, they’re rich in protein, grain-free, and support dental health by reducing plaque and tartar. Ideal for extended chew sessions, these tough chews are odorless, mess-free, and easily digestible.

Ingredients: Yak & cow milk, lime juice, salt
Best For: Medium to large dogs, moderate to aggressive chewers
Benefits: High-protein, long-lasting, dental support, odorless, grain-free, and low-fat.
Additional Info: Small pieces can be risky, so we recommend microwaving and giving them to your dog.

2. Elk Antler for Dogs

Elk antlers are durable, all-natural chews sourced from naturally shed antlers. They’re packed with calcium, phosphorus, and other essential minerals. Ideal for tough chewers, these odorless chews support dental health by scraping plaque and tartar.

Ingredients: 100% naturally shed elk antlers
Best For: Medium to large dogs, aggressive chewers
Benefits: Long-lasting, dental health, rich in minerals, odorless, no additives, grain-free.
Additional Info: Very hard chews. Not recommended for dogs with weak teeth. Always supervise while chewing.

3. Beef Skin Dog Chew

Beef skin chews are made from the inner layer of cattle skin. These rawhide alternatives are dehydrated to form tough chews that promote dental health. Rich in protein and collagen, they're low in fat and help clean teeth and gums.

Ingredients: Dehydrated cattle skin
Best For: Moderate chewers of all sizes
Benefits: High-protein, dental care, long-lasting, Low-fat, natural, grain-free.
Additional Info: May pose choking risk if not properly chewed—supervise while chewing.

4. Pig Ears Dog Chew

Pig ear chews are made from the cartilage of pig ears. These chews are softer than antlers and yak chews, making them ideal for non-aggressive chewers. They're grain-free, high in fat, and support dental health.

Ingredients: Pig ear cartilage
Best For: Light to moderate chewers, dogs with allergies
Benefits: Grain-free, supports dental health, rich in Omega-3, soft texture
Additional Info: High in fat—limit portions to avoid weight gain.

5. Beef Trachea Dog Chew

Beef trachea chews come from the windpipe of cows and are naturally rubbery. These chews support joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin, and they help clean teeth (Source). They’re suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Ingredients: Cow trachea
Best For: All sizes, dogs with joint issues or sensitive stomachs
Benefits: Joint health, oral hygiene, digestible, low-fat
Additional Info: Can be greasy and somewhat smelly—store in an airtight container.

6. Sweet Potato Dog Chew

Sweet potato chews are healthy, vegetarian treats made by dehydrating or baking sweet potatoes. They're rich in fiber, vitamins A, C, and B6, and are easy to digest, making them ideal for use as treats.

Ingredients: 100% sweet potato
Best For: All sizes, vegetarian diets, sensitive stomachs
Benefits: High in fiber, vitamins, easy to make, low-fat, plant-based
Additional Info: Not long-lasting—better used as a treat than a chew.

7. Tendon Dog Chew

Tendon chews are made from fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. They are tough, high in protein, and promote dental health. These chews are fully digestible and chemical-free.

Ingredients: 100% beef tendon
Best For: All sizes, moderate chewers
Benefits: Dental support, protein-rich, flexible texture, low-fat, all-natural
Additional Info: Shorter chew duration (1–2 hours); may not satisfy aggressive chewers.

8. Bully Sticks Dog Chew

Bully sticks are all-natural chews made from bull pizzle. These protein-rich chews are long-lasting and support dental health. Though they have a strong odor, they’re highly popular with dogs.

Ingredients: 100% bull pizzle
Best For: All sizes, heavy chewers
Benefits: High-protein, dental support, single-ingredient, grain-free
Additional Info: Strong smell and can be messy—supervise indoors.

Also Read: Yak Chews vs Bully Sticks

9. Beef Tripe Dog Chew

Beef tripe chews are made from the stomach lining of cows and are rich in essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and selenium. They support gut health and oral hygiene but have a strong odor and short chew duration.

Ingredients: 100% beef tripe
Best For: Dogs with gut issues or sensitive stomachs
Benefits: Gut and dental health, nutrient-rich, easily digestible
Additional Info: Pungent smell; not long-lasting, better as a nutrient booster than a chew.

10. Beef Cheek Rolls Dog Chew

Beef cheek rolls are made from the entire cheek of cows. These long-lasting chews are ideal for aggressive chewers and are rich in vitamins and collagen, promoting joint and immune health.

Ingredients: Dried beef cheek
Best For: Large dogs, heavy chewers
Benefits: Joint and immune health, long-lasting, high in protein, low-fat
Additional Info: Can expand with saliva—supervise while chewing

Chews to Avoid and Why?

Rawhide: Indigestible, chemically treated, and can cause choking or intestinal blockages.
Cooked Bones: Splinter easily and can damage your dog’s mouth or digestive tract.
Plastic or Rubber Toys: Often contain unsafe additives and are not food-grade. Look for BPA-free and TPR toy alternatives.

Safety Tips for Feeding Dog Chews

Always supervise your dog when chewing
Remove small leftover pieces to prevent choking
Introduce new chews gradually to check for allergies
Store chews in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness

FAQs

▼ What is the healthiest thing for a dog to chew?

The healthiest dog chews are natural, easily digestible, and free of artificial additives. Great options include beef cheek rolls (long-lasting and protein-rich), yak chews (durable and natural), bully sticks (digestible and high in protein), and sweet potato chews (gentle on sensitive stomachs). These support dental hygiene, joint health, and digestion, without the risks of rawhide or plastic chews.

▼ Are natural chews good for dogs?

Absolutely! Natural chews are a fantastic option for most dogs. Since they’re usually made with just one or two real ingredients (like dried beef, tendon, or even veggies), they’re easier on your dog’s stomach and less likely to trigger allergies. Plus, many natural chews offer added health benefits, like collagen for joints or fiber for digestion, all while keeping your pup happily occupied.

▼ Which natural chew is best for heavy chewers?

If you’ve got a determined chewer on your hands, you’ll want something tough but still safe and digestible. Some of the best natural chews for aggressive chewers include:

Beef cheek rolls – thick, durable, and packed with joint-boosting collagen.
Yak cheese chews – super hard and long-lasting (just mircowave small pieces as they wear down).
Bully sticks – firm, flavorful, and fully digestible.
Tendon chews – slightly softer than the above, but still great for strong chewers.

Just be sure to supervise, especially the first few times, and pick the right size for your dog.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve seen the top all-natural dog chews, you’re ready to treat your pup to something safe, tasty, and healthy. Just remember—every dog is different, so when in doubt, check with your vet before trying something new.

Here’s to happier, healthier chewing!

Also Read: Top 10 Dog Treats for Picky Dogs

1 comment

“Sweet potato chews, however, should be used as treats since these chews are used as treats.” OK, so if you’re not reading your own copy I know it’s just a load of BS. Many of the items are not particularly good for animals to consume. Take more than 10 minutes to throw something together next time.