The 15 Best Dog Chews of 2024 Your Pup Will Love

Best Overall

SmartBones SmartSticks

$17 at Amazon $13 at Chewy $17 $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.

Other reasons why these are "smart" sticks include a resealable bag to keep the treats fresh and chewy, and a smell and flavor dogs love, although we're less happy about the artificial color and addition of fruit sugars like sorbitol and fructose. While they're rawhide-free and a much healthier alternative to rawhide treats, which can cause intestinal blockages, 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

$40 $37 at Amazon $6 at Chewy $43 $37 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. Made in the United States, Greenies by far are the most popular and well-reviewed dental chews available today and they are also Reed’s top recommendation. The treats have a chewy texture designed to help clean the gumline and are made with simple, easily digestible ingredients, with a minimum of 30 percent crude protein—plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

They're available in several sizes, so make sure to pick the right size for your dog; they may 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.

_{Flavors: Poultry | Primary Ingredients: Wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin, vitamins, 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

$65 at Amazon View on Naturalfarmpet.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 made from a 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, as well as 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 ounces; 5-, 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-, 25-count, 1 pound}

Best Trachea

Amazing Dog Treats Beef Trachea Dog Chews

$35 at Amazon $12 at Chewy

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 6 inches, these treats are particularly good picks for large dog breeds, offering a satisfying chew that 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 inches, 6 inches | Quantities: 3-, 5-, 10-, 12-, 25-, 50-count}

Best Freeze-Dried

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Bully Sticks

$20 $17 at Amazon $17 at Chewy $35 $20 at Walmart

These low-fat and high-protein freeze-dried bully sticks from Vital Essentials are made using a special 48-hour process that preserves more of the essential nutrients. They're lighter in weight than traditional bully sticks, which means they're easier to chew and provide a gentler way to remove plaque and buildup. That said, they might not be quite as long-lasting as the traditional variety, which also makes them less cost-effective in the long run.

As with other Vital Essential treats, the ingredients are 100 percent natural, ethically sourced, and made in the USA. The sizing of these treats may be somewhat inconsistent, however, with some pieces skinnier than others, which can pose a choking hazard if your dog ends up swallowing it whole.

_{Flavors: Beef | Primary Ingredients: Bull pizzle | Sizes: N/A | Quantities: 1.4 ounces, sold as single- or double-pack}

Best Skins

The Honest Kitchen Beams Ocean Chews

$18 at Amazon $13 at Chewy View on Petco

These high-quality, high-protein single-ingredient chews are from the skin of a wild-caught fish, also known as rock salmon, that naturally has no scales, making this a mess-free, easy treat for your pooch. Wolffish 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 also naturally low in calories and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help prevent heart disease and stroke, 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 and are 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 ounces, 3.25 ounces, 5.5 ounces, 6 ounces}

Best Beef Esophagus

Redbarn Dog Treats

$55 $46 at Amazon $7 at Chewy View on Smartpakequine.com

Made with naturally high-protein, low-fat, slow-roasted beef esophagus, sourced from free-range, grass-fed cattle, these treats are free of gluten, corn, wheat, soy, hormones, and artificial ingredients so your dog’s allergies and sensitive stomachs won’t be aggravated and 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. Dogs love the crunchy texture that is tough enough to clean teeth without damaging teeth or gums.

Beef esophagus is also a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine that promotes long-term joint health. 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, but many chews on the market are too large for our little pals. 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 or additives and don’t use bleaches or formaldehyde in their processing.

They are naturally nutritious and your little one won’t be able to resist. Your dog will appreciate the firm chew that gets gradually softer as it’s chewed. 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

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, soothes a teething pup, and offers a satisfying entertainment chewing experience that will have your new baby begging for more.

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 ounces, 8 ounces, 1 pound}

Best Cheese

Yeti Naturals Himalayan Yak Cheese Dog Treats

$11 at Amazon $21 at Chewy $23 at Walmart

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

While the oils in natural dog chews can stain furniture, rugs, and bedding, customers confirm that this chew doesn’t stain in that way. It breaks down into small pieces over time—though the manufacturers suggest you microwave the pieces to melt them back into a large piece for increased longevity. These pasteurized, aged cheese treats last well for most dogs and offer 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 ounces, 2.5 ounces, 3.5 ounces, 5 ounces, 6 ounces, 7 ounces, 12 ounces, 3 pounds}

Best Calming

PetHonesty Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks

$19 $18 at Amazon $18 at Chewy View on Pethonesty.com

Hemp oil is the first ingredient in this chew, which 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, stress, and 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

Sustainably sourced organic sweet potatoes grown in North Carolina are the primary ingredient in this plant-based dog chew. Manufactured in Oakland, California, they’re minimally processed and naturally packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.

Available plain or flavored with peanut butter, they're oven-baked using solar power and 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 its 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 Jerky

Whole Paws Dog Jerky

$9 at Amazon View on Wholefoodsmarket.com

Whole Paws Dog Jerky comes in five flavors (smoked chicken, salmon, chicken and sweet potato, duck, and bacon and 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 vary 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 ounces | Quantities: Not listed}

Best with Protein

Better Belly Proteins Twist Sticks Dog Treats

View on Amazon $15 at Chewy View on PetSmart

The Better Belly Proteins Rawhide Twist Sticks are two tasty chews in one. Each treat consists of a stick made from rawhide beef fibers wrapped in protein rich venison, lamb, or salmon. The crunchy chew might leave a few crumbs as your dog chomps away, but it's likely to keep them engaged for an extended period of time.

All three flavors are made without gluten, grains, or artificial ingredients. The Better Belly line of dog chews are made with a more digestible format of rawhide, but not all dogs will find it tummy friendly. With a seven year old pomeranian, these Twist Sticks in venison or lam have been a go-to treat for several years whenever she accompanies her humans to outdoor cafe.

_{Flavors: Venison; lamb; salmon | Primary Ingredients: Beef rawhide, chicken, glycerin | Sizes: N/A | Quantities: 25 per pack}

Best Toy

KONG Extreme Dog Toy

$15 at Amazon $9 at Chewy View on Petsupermarket.com

Divided into three sections and shaped like a bulbous snowman, the Kong Extreme Dog Treats offers unique ways to hide a variety of treats to provide a different experience for your dog every single time. Constructed of Kong's famously ultra-durable, chew-resistant natural rubber, it's dishwasher- and freezer-safe, making it ideal for turning any healthy dog-safe ingredient like peanut butter, yogurt, or cheese into a frozen treat, which can be a fun challenge for your dog to dislodge—though it can also occasionally get stuck inside the toy.

Given that this is a toy designed for holding treats, without the presence of food, there isn't much else to hold most dogs' attention. Nevertheless, playful pups who are aggressive chewers and easily motivated by just the mere promise of a treat will no doubt find this toy thoroughly engaging.

_{Flavors: N/A | Primary Ingredients: N/A | Size: 4 x 2.75 x 2.75 inches (large) | Quantities: 1}