The chew root is considered a natural, particularly hard chew made from tree root. It lasts a long time, but it also has clear drawbacks you should be aware of.
What is chew root for dogs?
Chew roots usually come from tree heath or similar woods. They're extremely hard and therefore very long-lasting, which appeals to many dog owners. But it's exactly this hardness that poses the risk.
Does chew root make sense for dogs?
Very hard chew roots can lead to broken or cracked teeth in strong chewers, and splintered pieces of wood can irritate the digestive tract. The root provides no nutrients. If you're looking for long-lasting occupation without this risk, you're better off with a tough but digestible meat chew.
Our recommendation: natural, easily digestible chews
If you want to give your dog a long, healthy chewing occupation, at kauliebe we deliberately rely on single-protein natural meat chews. The classic is the bully stick: tough, long-lasting, fully digestible and made from just one ingredient. We explain exactly what a bully stick is and why it's so popular in our guide Bully sticks for dogs. If you're after some variety, you'll find plenty more varieties in our natural chews, from beef to horse to goat, all air-dried and free from additives.
A chew root or a natural chew? The honest comparison
To help you weigh things up better, here are the key differences between a hard chew such as a chew root and a natural meat chew:
- Digestibility: Meat chews are digested by the dog, whereas hard wood and pressed rawhide are not, or only poorly. Swallowed pieces can cause problems.
- Risk of injury: Very hard materials can damage teeth or splinter. A tough but yielding meat chew is gentler here.
- Nutritional value: A natural meat chew provides protein and is itself a small contribution to the diet. Wood and rawhide provide nothing.
- Ingredients: At kauliebe, every chew contains just one single, clearly declared type of meat, with no grain, sugar or artificial additives.
What to look out for with a chew
Whichever chew you choose: always pick a size your dog can't swallow whole, and keep an eye on them while they chew, especially with the small leftover piece. Provide fresh water, as dried chews are thirst-inducing. And look out for a short, honest ingredients list. The more natural and digestible, the safer the chewing fun. This is exactly the principle behind how we put together our natural chews, from the long-lasting bully stick to rare varieties for sensitive dogs.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a dog chew at a time?
A good chewing session can easily last anywhere from a few minutes to a good quarter of an hour. Keep an eye on your dog while they do, especially with the last small leftover piece.
How do I recognise a good chew?
By a short, honest ingredients list made up of a single type of meat, with no grain, sugar or artificial additives, and by gentle drying. Fresh water should always be available while chewing.
