Best Natural Chews for Your Dog
If your dog loves to chew, there’s a huge range of natural chews that offer health benefits and a tasty reward. As natural chews are a healthier alternative to processed treats, as well as being long-lasting, this can support both physical and mental wellbeing.
Here at T.Forrest, our natural chews are air dried, long lasting and packed with flavour, preventing boredom and providing dogs with a safe option for all dog ages and breeds. I. this article, we explore:
- What makes a chew ‘natural’?
- Benefits of natural chews
- Best natural chews for dental health
- Long-lasting chews
- Calming benefits of natural chews
- Choosing the right option for your dog
What makes a chew ‘natural’?
Dog treats and food that are advertised as ‘natural’ means there are no additional ingredients, including additives, grains, preservatives, flavour enhancers, as well as being minimally processed. The same rules apply for natural chews, ensuring your treats are often single ingredient, as well as 100% natural for easy digestion and reducing the risk of issues found with highly processed dog treats.
Some examples of natural chews include:
All our treats are air dried. This reduces moisture whilst retaining all the flavour, vitamins and nutrients already in these treats. Our air-drying process increases the lifespan of our treats, and with no added ingredients, they are completely natural.
Benefits of natural chews for dogs
Natural chews offer a wide range of benefits beyond simply giving your dog something tasty to enjoy. Chewing is an instinctive behaviour that plays an important role in both physical and mental wellbeing.
Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Supporting natural chewing instincts
- Reducing boredom
- Mental stimulation
- Healthy teeth and gums
- Easy digestion
Many dogs become destructive when they're under-stimulated. Providing healthy dog chews gives them a positive outlet for excess energy, reducing the likelihood they'll turn to furniture, shoes or other household items.
Natural chews can also be particularly useful during periods when your dog needs to settle, such as after walks, during visitors arriving, or while you're working from home. The act of chewing encourages dogs to focus on a single activity, helping them relax while satisfying an important behavioural need.
Because many natural chews contain only one ingredient, they're also popular with owners looking for simpler feeding options or dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.
Best natural chews for dental health
One of the biggest advantages of many dental chews for dogs is their ability to maintain cleaner teeth naturally. While no chew replaces regular tooth brushing, the mechanical action of chewing reduces plaque and tartar build-up over time.
As dogs chew, the rough texture of certain natural products gently scrapes against the teeth, removing food debris before it develops into hardened tartar. Regular chewing also encourages saliva production, which plays an important role in maintaining oral health.
Some popular choices for dental health include:
When choosing a dental chew, it's important to select one that's appropriately sized for your dog. A chew that's too small may be swallowed too quickly, while one that's too large may be difficult for smaller breeds to enjoy safely.
Take a look at our range of dental chews for dogs to support your dog's oral hygiene.
Long lasting chews for active chewers
Some dogs can finish a treat in seconds, while others love spending extended periods chewing. If you have a powerful chewer, choosing long lasting dog chews can provide both enrichment and better value.
Long-lasting options keep dogs mentally engaged while preventing boredom. They can also provide an excellent outlet for high-energy breeds that naturally enjoy chewing throughout the day.
Popular long-lasting choices include:
When offering natural bones for dogs, always supervise your dog while they chew and choose products that are appropriate for their size and chewing strength. Every dog has a different chewing style, so it's important to replace chews if they become small enough to present a choking hazard. Whilst long-lasting treats are very beneficial, regularly swapping their chews also reduces the risk of chipping.
Our selection of bones for dogs includes a variety of natural options suitable for enthusiastic chewers.
Calming benefits of natural chews
Chewing is naturally calming for many dogs. The repetitive chewing motion soothes dogs during periods of excitement, stress or uncertainty, making calming dog chews a useful addition to your dog's daily routine.
Many owners find that offering a chew before potentially stressful situations helps encourage calm behaviour. This might include:
- Visitors arriving at the house
- Fireworks
- Travelling
- Time spent home alone
- Grooming appointments
- Busy family gatherings
It's important to remember that chewing won't resolve severe anxiety on its own, but it can form part of a wider approach that includes positive training, enrichment and consistent routines.
If your dog would benefit from additional support, explore our range of calming treats for dogs.
How to choose the right chew for your dog
Not every chew is suitable for every dog. Choosing the right option depends on your dog's size, age, chewing habits and any dietary considerations.
Before buying, consider:
- Your dog's breed and size
- Whether they're a soft or aggressive chewer
- Any food allergies or sensitivities
- Age, particularly for puppies and senior dogs
- How long you want the chew to last
Always supervise your dog while they're enjoying a chew, especially if they're trying a new product for the first time. Fresh drinking water should also always be available.
Introducing a variety of natural dog chews keeps enrichment interesting while supporting healthy chewing habits. By selecting high-quality natural products that suit your dog's individual needs, you'll provide a rewarding experience that benefits both their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Whether you're searching for the best natural chews, healthy dog chews, dental chews for dogs, or long-lasting dog chews, choosing natural options is a simple way to support your dog's happiness every day. Order online at T.Forrest.
