The 13 Best Dog Chews of 2024

Best Overall

SmartBones SmartSticks

$11 at Amazon $10 at Chewy $15 at Walmart

With a price that can’t be beat, and chicken and peanut butter flavors that pups can’t resist, these rawhide-free treats are packed with vitamins and minerals. They're plenty chewy too, encouraging your dog to gnaw, which in turn helps clean their teeth and freshen their breath. Each is highly digestible and safe for all ages, breeds and sizes, and you won’t have to worry about sharp splinters or other choking hazards.

SmartSticks are smart in other ways too. The bag is resealable to keep the treats fresh and chewy. Dogs love the smell and flavor, although we're less happy about the artificial color and addition of fruit sugars like sorbitol and fructose.

Like all the dog chews that made our list, these are rawhide-free and a much healthier alternative to rawhide treats that can cause intestinal blockages. However, they’re not intended for daily snacking, and should be saved for a twice-weekly treat, depending on the size of your dog.

_{Flavors: Vegetable with chicken | Primary Ingredients: Corn, chicken, peanut butter | Sizes: 5 inches | Quantities: 5-, 10-, 12-, 25-, 36-count}

Best Dental Chews

Greenies Original Regular Natural Dental Dog Treats

$33 at Amazon $6 at Chewy $33 at Walmart

Dental chews are designed to supplement daily brushing by being hard enough to remove tartar and plaque at the gumline but soft enough that they won’t cause harm or discomfort. Distinctive grooves help maintain healthy teeth and gums for fresher breath. Greenies by far are the most popular and well-reviewed dental chews available today and they are also Reed’s top recommendation. 

“Greenies are great because they are easily accessible and are priced reasonably at a time when pet supplies prices are rising,” Reed told The Spruce Pets. “I only recommend brands of chews that have the VOHC Seal of Approval. VOHC recognizes products that meet pre-set standards during trials that demonstrate the products’ ability to reduce plaque and tartar in dogs and cats.”

The treat’s chewy texture is designed to help clean the gum line. Their simple ingredients are also easy for your pup to digest. Plus, they're full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Available in several different sizes, make sure to pick the right size for your dog, so they don't accidentally swallow one whole if it’s smaller than their mouth. The "regular" size Greenies are suitable for medium-sized breeds. Most dogs can safely eat one a day, although they may be begging you for more.

Greenies Dental Dog Treats are made in the United States and have a minimum of 30% crude protein.

_{Flavors: Poultry | Primary Ingredients: Wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin, vitamins and minerals | Sizes: For dogs 5 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 50, 50 to 100 pounds | Quantities: 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, 27-, 36-, 54-, 72-count}

Best Bully Sticks

Natural Farm Odor-Free Standard Bully Sticks

$66 at Amazon View on Naturalfarmpet.com $16 at walmartpetrx.com

Natural Farm Standard Bully Sticks are made from free-range and grass-fed Brazilian cattle "pizzles," more commonly known as bull penis muscles They're single ingredient, oven-baked, super chewy, and loaded with protein.

Natural Farm's are our favorite bully sticks not just because of the high-quality ingredients, but also because of their convenient variety of options, including standard chew sticks in a variety of sizes, and also rings, braids, and bites. The bully sticks are available in sizes ranging from 3-inches to a full foot long, though we think the 6-inch variety is well-suited for medium-sized dog breeds.

^{Flavors: Beef | Primary Ingredients: Bull pizzle | Sizes: 3, 4, 6, 7, 12 inches | Quantities: 12-ounce; 5-, 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-, 25-count, 1 pound}

Best Trachea

Amazing Dog Treats Beef Trachea Dog Chews

$12 at Amazon $12 at Chewy $29 at Walmart

Feeding your pup beef tracheas is a great way to help boost their joint function as they age. Not only are these tasty treats high in protein and low in fat, but they are mostly made of cartilage, which contains chondroitin and glucosamine—both useful in the maintenance of healthy joints.

At a minimum of six inches, these treats are particularly good picks for large dog breeds. A satisfying chew also keeps your dog’s teeth and gums free from plaque, and hopefully prevents them from chewing and destroying the rest of your home by staving off boredom. Amazing Dog Treats are made from free-range, grass-fed cattle and contain no added chemicals. Similar to a bully stick, these will soften as your dog chews on them and they tend to smell stronger as they soften. 

_{Flavors: Beef | Primary Ingredients: Beef trachea | Sizes: 3- to 4-inch, 6-inch| Quantities: 3-, 5-, 10-, 12-, 25-, 50-count}

Best Skins

The Honest Company Beams Ocean Chews

$14 at Amazon $13 at Chewy View on PETCO

These high-quality, high-protein chews contain just one ingredient: wolffish skin. The fish, also known as rock salmon, naturally has no scales, which makes this a mess-free, easy treat for your pooch. The wild-caught fish is native to the colder parts of the Atlantic Ocean, so its skin is thick and hearty—perfect for a long-lasting chew. 

The skins are naturally low in calories and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help prevent heart disease and stroke, and may help prevent or control conditions like lupus, eczema, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. , and may play protective roles in cancer and other conditions. They’re packaged in the USA in a factory that meets the Food and Drug Administration requirements for human-grade products. They’re also non-GMO Project verified. 

The Honest Company fish chews are also available as codfish skin.

_{Flavors: Wolffish or codfish | Primary Ingredients: Wolffish | Sizes: Not listed | Quantities: 2.75-ounce, 3.25-ounce, 5.5-ounce, 6-ounce}

Best Beef Esophagus

Redbarn Dog Treats

$9 at Chewy $2 at onlynaturalpet.com View on Petsupermarket.com

Single-ingredient dog treats are an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs, allowing their digestive systems a low stress treat. These are made with naturally high-protein, low-fat, slow roasted beef esophagus, sourced from free-range, grass-fed cattle. The absence of gluten, corn, wheat and soy ensure your dog’s allergies won’t be aggravated. They’re also free from hormones and artificial ingredients so you can feel good about your choice. Their tough jerky texture offers a lasting chew that doubles as a dental aid, scraping away tartar to keep teeth and gums healthy.

Beef esophagus is also a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine that promotes long term joint health. Dogs love the crunchy texture that is tough enough to clean teeth and least without damaging teeth or gums. They are equally appropriate for puppies, adults and seniors, but choose the correct size of chew for the size of your dog to get the best fit. These are an excellent choice to beat boredom and unwanted chewing of shoes and furniture.

_{Flavors: Beef | Primary Ingredients: Beef esophagus | Sizes: 4 to 5 inches (medium), 9 to 10 inches (large) | Quantities: 1-, 6-, 50-, 100-count}

Best for Small Dogs

Earth Animal Small Dog Treats

$32 at Amazon $11 at Chewy $11 at PETCO

Just because a pup is smaller, doesn’t mean they can’t do a lot of damage to your household items with their sharp little chompers. Many chews on the market are too large for our little pals so look for chews that are sized for smaller dogs. 

These simple chews—with sticks designed for dogs up to 15 pounds and small chews for 16 to 45 pounds—are hand-rolled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They contain no synthetic chemicals, additives and don’t use bleaches or formaldehydes in their processing. Your dog will appreciate the firm chew that gets gradually softer as it’s chewed.

They are naturally nutritious and your little one won’t be able to resist. Made with real, simple ingredients like eggs, rice and bananas, these rawhide-free chews are nutritious, tasty, and designed to last.

_{Flavors: Beef, chicken, salmon, pork, peanut butter, venison | Primary Ingredients: Meat or peanut butter, organic eggs, brown rice, banana | Sizes: Stix (dogs 0 to 10 pounds), s-roll (dogs 10 to 39 pounds), m-roll (dogs 40 to 69 pounds), l-roll (dogs 70+ pounds) | Quantities: Pack of 1, pack of 3}

Best for Puppies

Nature Gnaws Natural Turkey Tendon

$30 at Amazon View on Naturegnaws.com

A puppy’s chewing instinct is more powerful than ever at this stage of development, and for those that are teething, chewing can relieve pain of emerging teeth and help remove baby teeth. It also strengthens their jaws, relieves puppy energy and stress and helps their teeth and gums develop normally. Chews and toys can also help spare your home from stray destructive chewing. 

Nature Gnaws offers a range of healthy single and limited-ingredient chews that are free of artificial colors or flavors. Their oven-baked turkey tendon chews are just one ingredient, naturally high in protein and packed with vitamins and essential nutrients your growing pup needs. 

The tough texture cleans teeth, stimulates their gums and offers a satisfying entertainment chewing experience that will have your new baby begging for more. They’re excellent to soothe a teething pup.

This small family-run business, based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, sources their turkey (and other ingredients) responsibly and packs their treats in biodegradable 4ocean-certified plastic neutral packaging. Nature Gnaws also donates chews to rescue shelters through their Gnaw It Forward initiative.

_{Flavors: Turkey | Primary Ingredients: Turkey tendon | Sizes: 8 inches | Quantities: 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 1 pound}

Best Cheese

Yeti Naturals Himalayan Yak Cheese Dog Treats

$11 at Amazon $17 at Chewy View on Petguys.com

This hard cheese dog chew is made in Everett, Washington, using a simple, centuries-old Himalayan recipe with just three ingredients–yak and cow milk and lime juice. These low odor chews have a minimum of 69 percent protein and are easy on your dog’s digestive system. They’re low odor and long lasting so a great choice for aggressive chewers.

The oils in natural dog chews can stain furniture, rugs and bedding. But customers confirm that this chew doesn’t stain in that way. This one breaks down into small pieces over time, but the manufacturers suggest you microwave the pieces to melt them back into a large piece for increased longevity.

This pasteurized, aged cheese treat lasts well for most dogs and offers plenty of calcium for strong teeth and bones.

_{Flavors: Yak cheese | Primary Ingredients: Yak milk, cow milk, lime juice | Sizes: Small (dogs up to 20 pounds), medium (dogs up to 35 pounds), large (dogs up to 55 pounds), extra-large (dogs more than 55 pounds) | Quantities: 1.3-ounce, 2.5-ounce, 3.5-ounce, 5-ounce, 6-ounce, 7-ounce, 12-ounce, 3-pound}

Best Calming

PetHonesty Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks

$18 at Amazon $18 at Chewy View on Pethonesty.com

Rescue dogs with troubled pasts and pandemic dogs that didn’t get enough socialization and/or have developed separation anxiety when their owners went back to work outside the home can sometimes turn into destructive chewing. These dogs might benefit from a chew that also includes calming ingredients that will help them relax a bit. 

Hemp oil is the first ingredient in this chew that also includes hemp seeds. Although it comes from the same plant as cannabis, the chew doesn’t contain the psychoactive ingredient THC. The oil and seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that reduce skin issues and stress, the risk of illnesses like dementia and cardiovascular disease, and the oil may also reduce overall inflammation in the body.

Other ingredients like melatonin, chamomile, valerian root and passionflower induce relaxation and restful sleep. So they’re perfect to give before bed for a solid night’s sleep or to help you get through a thunderstorm or a vet appointment. (You'll need one chew per 25 pounds of your pet's body weight.) This product also earned the National Animal Supplement Council quality seal of approval and is made in a Good Management Practices (GMP) certified facility, indicating a high level of quality control.

_{Flavors: Pumpkin peanut butter | Primary Ingredients: Hemp, melatonin, chamomile, valerian root, passionflower | Size: Not listed | Quantities: 30 sticks}

Best Vegetarian

Petaluma Sweet Potato Jerky

$20 at Amazon View on Feedpetaluma.com View on Shopdogandco.com

Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to certain animal proteins and so need a treat that doesn’t upset their digestive system. Petaluma sources their ingredients sustainably. Organic sweet potatoes are the only ingredient in this plant-based alternative to other resource-intensive ingredients that require more land and water to produce, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. They use 60 percent less freshwater, 90 percent less land and produce 80 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional kibble. They’re also minimally processed and naturally packed with fiber, antioxidants and vitamins.

Manufactured in Oakland, California, from sweet potatoes grown in North Carolina, Petaluma also offers a roasted peanut butter and sweet potato flavored jerky. Oven baked using solar power, these single-ingredient, organic treats are packaged in bags that are certified to be compostable at home and in municipal industrial composters. These healthy dog chews are also Climate-Neutral Certified. Petaluma also participates in 1% for the Planet, a program that invests 1 percent of their profits in environmental and social justice organizations.

_{Flavors: Sweet potato, peanut butter and sweet potato | Primary Ingredients: Organic sweet potatoes | Size: Varies widely | Quantities: 12-ounce bag}

Best Supplement

Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Multifunctional Bites

$30 at Amazon $30 at Chewy $30 at Walmart

For a treat-like supplement that adds nutritional value to your dog's daily intake, Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Multifunctional Bites For Dogs are our top recommendation. With active ingredients like cod liver fish oil and vitamin E for a healthy skin and coat, glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for muscular and joint support, and a six-strain health blend that supports gut and digestive health, each bite-sized chew is forumalted to address eight health functions: hip and joint, immunity, heart, skin, liver, gut, antioxidant activity, and the overall physical performance.

These soft chew bites are available in chicken or peanut butter flavors and suitable for adult and senior dogs of all sizes. There is also a puppy version, Zesty Paws Puppy 8-in-1 Multifunctional Bites, for dogs as young as eight weeks.

Depending on your dog's weight, a recommended dosage is one to three per day, so if you have a bigger dog the cost will add up quickly. And if you are giving your dog other supplements, or feeding a special diet, you might not need an 8-in-1 chews. For other recommendations check out our Best Supplements For Dogs story.

^{Flavors: Chicken, peanut butter | Primary Ingredients: Glucosamine, chondroitin, gut health blend, cod liver fish oil, MSM, vitamins and minerals | Size: Not listed | Quantities: 90-, 180-, 250-count}

Best Jerky

Whole Paws Dog Jerky

$8 at Amazon

Whole Paws Dog Jerky comes in five flavors, Smoked Chicken, Salmon, Chicken & Sweet Potato, Duck, and Bacon & Apple, offering dogs a chewable snack that is rich in protein. All recipes are made without artificial preservatives or fillers, and the grain-free treats can be cut into smaller sizes to meet the caloric needs of any size dog.

Whole Paws, the pet-focused brand within Whole Foods, is sold online through Amazon and carried in most Whole Foods stores. The texture and size of the jerky treats varies depending on the flavor (some are strips and others are bites), but all offer straightforward ingredients and a taste dogs enjoy, in a 5-ounce package that is easy to reseal.

_{Flavors: Smoked chicken, bacon and apple, chicken and sweet potato, duck, salmon | Primary Ingredients: Chicken, vegetable glycerine, salt, natural smoke flavor | Size: 5-ounce | Quantities: Not listed}