Dog chews — the complete guide
What to chew, for whom, when and for how long? No guesswork — just a practical guide for dog owners.
Chews are more than just a treat
The natural urge to chew is written into a dog's genes. Our pets' ancestors spent long hours chewing tough tissue — skins, bones, cartilage. They didn't do it for fun: chewing affects the condition of a dog's teeth, gums, digestion and mental state.
If a dog isn't given the chance to chew, it will find one itself — on slippers, furniture, cables, or it simply... gets restless. Natural chews give a dog what it needs in a healthy, safe form.
Five reasons to give them
- Clean teeth — chewing mechanically removes plaque and reduces tartar
- Healthy gums — the massage improves blood flow and lowers the risk of inflammation
- Better digestion — natural fibres and tissue support intestinal movement
- Less stress — chewing releases endorphins and calms the dog
- Keeps them busy — a mentally tired dog is a happy dog
Not every "treat" for a dog is a good chew. Look for products from a single raw material (meat only, no additives), free from preservatives and colourings and naturally dried. GRIZY meets all of these criteria — every one of our products is 100% meat, nothing more.
How long should your dog chew?
That's where the choice begins. A puppy needs something different from an adult Labrador, and an older dog with sensitive teeth — different again.
Soft and quick
⏱ a few minutes
For puppies, seniors, dogs with sensitive teeth or as a training reward. Easy to chew through and gentle on the teeth.
Versatile
⏱ 10–30 minutes
For most adult dogs. They make chewing satisfying and clean the teeth, but won't take all day.
Hard and long-lasting
⏱ from 30 minutes to several hours
For adult dogs of medium and large breeds with strong teeth. They keep a dog busy for a long time — ideal when you're leaving the house.
Very hard bones and antlers can damage the teeth of aggressive chewers or older dogs with weakened teeth. Watch your dog — if you see it trying to crack the whole piece by force, take the chew away and choose something softer.
Chicken? Beef? Or perhaps camel?
The type of meat matters — especially for dogs with food allergies. It's worth knowing when to reach for a classic and when for something unique.
Popular proteins
For dogs without allergies — tasty, easily digestible, a wide choice of products in various shapes and hardnesses.
Beef 
Pork 
Chicken Less popular
A good choice when rotating proteins or if you suspect a mild sensitivity to chicken or beef. A dog encounters them less often day to day.
Duck 
Turkey 
Rabbit 
Lamb 
Goose 
Game 
Horse 
Camel 
Fish How does this work in practice? If your dog has itchy skin, digestive problems or chronic ear inflammation, the cause is often an allergy to a specific protein. The most common culprits are chicken, beef and pork. Vets then often recommend switching to a novel protein — something the dog has never encountered. Hence the popularity of products such as game, horse, camel and fish.
Even if your dog has no allergy, it's worth rotating proteins — not always giving the same one. This lowers the risk of developing an intolerance later and adds variety to the diet.
Our game comes from Polish wild boar, deer and roe deer — from natural forest management. If you're looking for premium chews with local provenance, this is the category for you.
Who is your dog?
A puppy, a chihuahua and a Great Dane need completely different chews. Here's a simple cheat sheet.
Puppy
Only soft and small. Sticks, rabbit ears, poultry wings. No hard bones — the teeth are still coming through.
Small dog
Yorkies, chihuahuas, shih-tzus. Small pieces of medium hardness. Large bones would be too tough.
Large dog
Shepherds, Labradors, mastiffs. Large bones, beef hooves, pizzles, rollo — anything long and hard.
Senior
A dog over 8 years old. Soft chews, lean proteins. Protect the teeth — don't give anything very hard.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you give chews?
It depends on the product's calorie content and the dog's activity. In practice: small soft chews (sticks, wings) can be given daily in small amounts. Larger and fattier ones (ears, skins) — 2–3 times a week. Bones and very hard ones — once a week or less, especially if the dog isn't very active.
Remember that a chew is also part of the diet — with larger amounts, reduce the food portion so the dog doesn't gain weight.
My dog is choking — what should I do?
Choking usually means the chew is too small and the dog is trying to swallow it whole instead of chewing. Rule: choose chews bigger than the dog's muzzle — so it has to tear and chew them.
Always watch your dog while it chews, especially with a new product. When the chew becomes a small piece — take it away and don't allow swallowing.
Can puppies have chews?
Yes, but only soft ones. Puppies have delicate teeth and suck/chew intensively during teething (3–6 months). We recommend: rabbit ears, meat sticks, chicken wings, poultry necks.
Don't give puppies hard bones, hooves or antlers — they can break milk teeth or damage the permanent ones that are still forming.
What about allergic dogs? What to choose?
With a food allergy, the key is to eliminate the protein the dog is allergic to. Most often that's chicken, beef or pork. Replace them with exotic proteins: game, horse, camel or fish.
The dog has most likely never encountered them, so the risk of an allergic reaction is minimal. Check our Camel, Horse or Game category.
How should chews be stored?
Our chews are naturally dried, so they don't need a fridge. It's best to keep them in a dry, airy place, in a tightly sealed bag or container. Avoid moisture — excess water can cause mould.
Shelf life is usually 6–12 months from production; check the exact date on the packaging.
How do natural chews differ from industrial ones?
They differ in composition. Industrial chews often contain flours, starches, gelatine, colourings, preservatives and "meat aromas" (i.e. artificial flavour additives). Natural chews are 100% meat, dried at low temperature — nothing more.
The difference is obvious at once: a natural chew smells of meat, has an irregular shape and looks different from batch to batch. An industrial one always looks identical because it's machine-formed.
Not sure what to choose?
Browse our range by meat category or write to us — we'll help you pick the right chews for your dog's age, size and needs.