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Rawhide dog chews are one of the most popular treats for dogs. They keep them busy for a long period of time, and our dogs seem to love them. The best dog rawhide treats have been proven to help scrape plaque and tartar buildup off teeth and cater to a dog's natural desire to chew.
Usually, dog rawhide treats are made of the inner layer of a cow's hide. They can also come from horsehide, but you can find this information on the packaging. The hides are cleaned, cut and shaped into dog treats. Sometimes they are also treated with artificial flavorings to make them more enticing to dogs.
Every dog has a natural instinct to chew – some more than others. There are dogs that spend hours chewing every day, and some even use chewing as a coping mechanism to deal with stress and anxiety.
Unlike many dog toys or most other dog treats, the best dog rawhide treats can offer hours upon hours of chewing for a low cost.
We've found seven of the most popular dog rawhide chews and reviewed them in detail. Here is a quick look at rawhide dog treats that we'll be covering later in this article:
| Dog Rawhide Treats | Price | Quality | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dingo Rawhide Mini Bones | $ | B- | 4.7/5 |
| Green Cow Rawhide Dog Bones, Natural Chips | $$ | C+ | 4.4/5 |
| Dingo Twist Sticks Rawhide Treats | $ | B- | 4.6/5 |
| PetSafe Busy Buddy Refill Ring Dog Treats | $ | C | 4.3/5 |
| Healthy Hide Good'n'Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs | $ | A | 4.6/5 |
| Pet Factory Beefhide Chip Rolls Dog Chew Treats | $ | A+ | 4.3/5 |
| Cadet Retriever Rolls Rawhide | $$ | B | 4.3/5 |
* Click on the best dog rawhide treats for more information and prices, or scroll down below for more details.
The dangers of rawhide treats for dogs
While dog rawhide treats can be great for keeping pet's jaws strong, cleaning teeth and freshening dog's breath, they also have their drawbacks. A safer alternative to rawhide treats for dogs would be dog bully stick chews.
Here's what vets at WebMD say about rawhide dog chews:
“Given the amount of rawhide consumed by dogs each year, the risks are relatively small. Still, risks can be serious, so don’t ignore them. Weigh the risks and benefits of giving rawhides based upon your dog's chewing needs and behaviors.” – Amy Flowers, DVM (source)
When you're shopping for the best dog rawhide treats, you need to be sure that you buy only the ones made with 100% beef or horse hide. Dog rawhide chews that have been treated with artificial flavors or colors can contain trace amounts of chemicals. Over time, these chemicals can cause serious health issues for your pet.
Edible dog chews, like rawhide treats, can also cause intestinal blockages in dogs. Studies have shown that a dog's stomach will usually break down rawhide chews (if swallowed); however, it takes much longer to break them down, and that poses a slight health risk.
Also, keep in mind that rawhide treats can be a choking hazard. If your dog swallows a large piece of rawhide, it could get stuck in the esophagus or another part of the digestive tract. This could result in an expensive trip to the emergency vet.
The bottom line is that even if you buy the best rawhide dog treats, always be sure to supervise your dog whenever he is chewing on a rawhide treat. You'll be there if he starts choking, and you can take the treat away when he starts biting off large pieces.
What are the Best Dog Rawhide Treats? 7 best choices for dogs that like to chew a lot
1Dingo Rawhide Mini Bones
Rawhide treats are possibly the best chews if you want one that will keep your dog occupied for a longer duration. They’re tough and flavorful – exactly what canines need to sink their teeth into.
These Dingo mini bones are made from the finest rawhide and real meat. Dogs will have healthier teeth with regular chewing, have added protein in their diet, and have fun doing it. Like all other dog chews, these are meant for supervised consumption.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Happy pooches can’t get enough of these 2-1/2-inch mini chew bones. Dingo Rawhide Mini Bones are tough and tasty and have a delicious meaty surprise in the middle that keeps the dogs chomping until they get to their prize. The size is just right for small to medium-sized breeds.
Pet owners who’ve long wanted some quiet time with their hyperactive fur babies finally found something that would keep their pets contented and quiet. All they need to do is throw one of these best dog rawhide treats to their pet, and it would keep the peace for a good half hour or so. This, plus all the benefits of healthier teeth and gums, stronger jaws, and much calmer behavior in their dogs, has kept buyers coming back for these Dingo chews.
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Most helpful dog owner's review (read the full Amazon review): “We have two Shih Tzu's and these Dingo's are BINGO !!! They absolutely love them and the name “Dingo” is a staple in their vocabulary. Great size bone for small/medium dogs. I've read some…”
2Green Cow Rawhide Dog Bones, Natural Chips
These rawhide dog bones from Green Cow come in a pillow-size 5-lb bag at a great prize, and dog owners just can’t resist a good deal when they see one. These are actually more chips than bones, being predominantly flat and cut out in varying lengths and thicknesses.
The rawhides are sourced from free-range, grass-fed cows in southern Brazil of premium quality, with none of the stinky smell found with other dog chews.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Dogs that were shifted to the Green Cow Rawhide Dog Bones, Natural Chips from other brands rarely had difficulty transitioning. In fact, they easily took to the food, had no stomach upsets, and were always excited for their next treat. Dogs get to enjoy their chips, keep their teeth clean and strong, and overcome anxiety or boredom – what else could a pet parent ask for?
While it was the low price that initially got the attention of buyers, they now say that the quality of this brand is equal to or even better than their previous pricier brands. The different sizes and thicknesses of the chips in every bag are ideal for families with multiple dogs. With each bag going a long way – a month or more for three or four dogs – these best rawhide treats really are unbeatable.
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3Dingo Twist Sticks Rawhide Treats
This is the same Dingo rawhide goodness we’ve mentioned above, but this time with a twist, literally. Instead of the bone-shaped rawhide, this treat comes in a twisted stick of premium rawhide strips with a real chicken jerky strip in the middle.
The inserted chicken strip makes the digging more purposeful, and because the strips were twisted, it took the dogs longer to chew.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Each twisted treat measures a little over 5 inches and ¼ to ½ inches in diameter, so it is the ideal size for small to medium dogs. Dog owners who’ve tried different brands say that the chicken in the Dingo Twist Sticks Rawhide Treats is significantly bigger and more enticing to their dogs than those they’ve tried.
Since the Dingo twist is not shaped the same way the bone-style Dingo chew is, there are no tied ends. Dog owners find this to be a better choice because it does not pose any possibility of choking on the rounded end once the rest of the treat has been consumed. Also, dogs tend to eat everything and leave no mess, which makes for happy pet owners, too.
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4PetSafe Busy Buddy Refill Ring Dog Treats for select Busy Buddy Dog Toys
These round rawhide treats from PetSafe were designed to be used as refill rings for Busy Buddy dog chew toys – namely, the Bouncy Bone, Bristle Bone, and Jack. There are three sizes available, from small to large, to match the toy sizes.
To make sure that chewing leads to positive and productive exercise, the dog must be given the appropriate chew toys and best dog rawhide treats – like the Busy Buddy system.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Dogs simply love fiddling with their Busy Buddy toys, especially with the prize rawhide that came with the toy when they first got it. Dog owners observed that their pets have less interest in their toys without the rawhide inserts. They wouldn’t want to miss out on their quiet time for anything, which they get to enjoy while their pooches peacefully explore their toys filled with PetSafe Busy Buddy Refills Ring Dog Treats for select Busy Buddy Dog Toys.
These best rawhide dog treats are a great way for dogs to spend their energy. Their jawbones and teeth are much healthier, and their breath fresher. You’ll be looking for these refills as soon as your dog finishes off the rings that went with the toys. Just make sure you get the correct size.
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5Healthy Hide Good'n'Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs
Healthy Hide best rawhide dog treats from Good‘n’Fun are made from rawhide, pork hide, chicken meat, duck meat, and liver. The rawhide strips were twisted to form a stick that held three meaty cutlets.
Dogs usually gnaw on the cutlets first with gusto and then linger on the rawhide stick for a more relaxed chew time. Two packs are available in 4 oz. and 12 oz. varieties.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Owners of picky dogs were relieved to finally find a chew product that caught their pooch’s interest. No dog could seem to resist the three skewered meaty slices in each rawhide stick consisting of chicken breast meat, duck meat, and hearty liver. A few dogs leave behind the rawhide stick after relishing the crispy, fleshy treats, but most other dogs enjoy gnawing on Healthy Hide Good'n'Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs.
This type of chew treat is friendlier to the teeth, especially for pups and elderly dogs. The rawhide stick is firm enough to provide adequate periodontal exercise and mental stimulation yet gentle enough for moderate chewers. Not all dogs are able to handle very tough rawhide, so this brand is a good alternative for them.
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6Pet Factory Beefhide Chip Rolls Dog Chew Treats
Made from high-quality beef, these rawhide bones from Pet Factory were treated using a 100% natural process to improve digestibility. It’s not a secret that rawhides are difficult to digest and may even cause choking in dogs.
However, rawhides are also one of the best chews there is for dogs. Pet Factory solved this dilemma by coming up with the best dog rawhide treats that digest 60% faster than other brands.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Some dogs just can’t take rawhides without the accompanying gastrointestinal upsets. Thus, they are also deprived of the benefits provided by rawhides. There are several non-rawhide alternatives out there, but many pet owners are happy that they now have real rawhide for their sensitive dogs. Pet Factory Beefhide Chews are very popular among dogs and have rarely caused any digestive disorders.
Buyers have said that these best dog rawhide treats are very well-priced, do not smell bad, and one chew lasts a really long time. Some have even reported that their dogs spent around an hour chewing over a piece – that’s about an hour of quiet time for the owner! That’s definitely a bonus to the pet caregivers, but the actual benefit is the equivalent of roughly an hour of gum and teeth massaging for the dog. The white color also does not cause stains, and homeowners find this as another plus.
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7Cadet Retriever Rolls Rawhide
We’ve seen rawhides in the shape of bones, chips, kabob-style, and twisted strips. Here’s another from Cadet – rolled rawhide more than 10 inches long. With this length, these best dog rawhide treats are ideal for medium to large dogs.
Some resourceful pet owners cut a piece in half to let their smaller dogs enjoy the same rawhide goodness enjoyed by their bigger dogs. This is also another way to save on the treat by dividing a rollup for two days.
- Dog rawhide treats reviews: Read reviews of other pet owners
Dog owners and vets commend Cadet Retriever Rolls Rawhide as a far superior kind of rawhide chew, especially for maintaining the dogs’ pearly whites. Senior dogs that have long used this chew show much healthier teeth and gums than their contemporaries who have not been given the same chew.
The Cadet rawhide chews are available in two packs, which are by no means cheap. Dog owners, however, agree that this is great value for the money. It has spared them from huge dental bills, and their dogs have been extremely happy with their treat. There are no fillers, no fancy shapes, and they don’t crumble or flake off. This is a continuous sheet rolled like a cigar for a tough chew that really lasts long – just as a good rawhide chew should.
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