Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, but it gets them into trouble when they gnaw on shoes, socks, and furniture. Keeping your pet occupied with an appetizing rawhide treat can save your belongings and keep your dog’s teeth free of plaque and tartar. Several companies manufacture rawhide products, but which brands are healthiest for your pet?
When you’re shopping for treats, you’ll notice a significant variance in the quality and ingredients. To make your search easier, we’ve compiled reviews of the best rawhide products for your best friend.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Castor & Pollux Good Buddy USA Rawhide Dog Bone Treat
Long-lasting
Dogs love the flavor
Only two ingredients
Check Price
Best Value
Bones & Chews 6-7” Rawhide Bone Dog Treats
Beef hide is the only ingredient
Affordable
Durable enough for heavy chewers
Check Price
Premium Choice
Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings Beef
High-quality ingredients
High in protein but low in fat
Dogs love the chicken jerky wrapping
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Better Belly Proteins with Real Lamb Flavor
Highly digestible recipe
Made with beef hide and real lamb
Inexpensive
Check Price
Busy Bone Rollhide Small/Medium Dog Treats
Affordable
No artificial colors or flavors
Ideal size for small dogs
Check Price
The 10 Best Rawhides for Dogs
1. Castor & Pollux Good Buddy USA Rawhide Dog Bone Treat – Best Overall
Size: 1 bone treat
Price range: High
Crude protein: Not listed
Some canines are picky about their treats, but even demanding pups enjoy the Castor and Pollux Good Buddy USA Rawhide Dog Bone Treat. It won the award for the best overall rawhide, and it’s produced using only 100% USA beef and basted with natural chicken flavor. It does not contain corn, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. You can choose from four sizes for small dogs or giant beasts. We were impressed with the product’s durability; Castor and Pollux rawhides can occupy your dog for several hours, unlike the competition.
Some rawhide treats can damage dogs’ teeth when they’re too hard, but the Good Buddy is tender but durable enough to be used as a fetch toy. Dogs and their owners love the rawhide, but some customers were disappointed with the rawhide’s potent aroma.
Long-lasting
Dogs love the flavor
Only two ingredients
Made from 100% USA beef
- Long-lasting
- Dogs love the flavor
- Only two ingredients
- Made from 100% USA beef
Strong odor is too much for some pet parents
- Strong odor is too much for some pet parents
2. Bones & Chews 6-7” Rawhide Bone Dog Treats – Best Value
Size: Six 7” bones
Price range: Low
Crude protein: Not listed
If you’re searching for a rawhide product that’s affordable and appealing to canines of all ages, you can try the Bones and Chews 6-7” Rawhide Bone Treats. They scored the best rawhide for the money prize, and their only ingredient is 100% beef hide. Bones and Chews contain no preservatives or additional flavors, and they’re sturdy enough to satisfy heavy chewers. Compared to competitors in the same price range, they last longer and do not splinter into sharp pieces. Your pet’s dental health is a primary concern, and Bones and Chews can help maintain healthy teeth by reducing plaque and tartar build-up.
Dog owners were happy with the rawhide treats, but they’re better suited for medium and large breeds. Tiny dogs will struggle to hold the 7” bone in their mouths.
Beef hide is the only ingredient
Affordable
Durable enough for heavy chewers
No additional flavoring or colors
- Beef hide is the only ingredient
- Affordable
- Durable enough for heavy chewers
- No additional flavoring or colors
Too large for tiny breeds
- Too large for tiny breeds
3. Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings Beef – Premium Choice
Size: 12-ounce bag
Price range: High
Crude protein: 65%
Plain rawhide does not appeal to all dogs, but your pet is unlikely to resist Good ‘n’ Fun’s Triple Flavor Wings Beef treats. Inspired by popular chicken wing recipes, the Triple Flavor treat combines three delicious types of meats that appeal to hungry pups. The rawhide is made from high-quality pork and beef hides, and it’s wrapped with savory chicken jerky.
According to the manufacturer, Triple Flavor rawhide is preferred 38 to 1 in canine taste tests. It’s high in protein but low in fat, and it helps maintain healthy teeth. Dogs seem to go wild for Triple Flavor products, but they’re not ideal for large or giant breeds. Large dogs go through the treats too fast, but smaller pets can chew them longer and benefit from cleaner teeth.
High-quality ingredients
Dogs love the chicken jerky wrapping
High in protein but low in fat
- High-quality ingredients
- Dogs love the chicken jerky wrapping
- High in protein but low in fat
Not suitable for large breeds
- Not suitable for large breeds
4. Better Belly Proteins with Real Lamb Flavor – Best for Puppies
Size: 6-count
Price range: Low
Crude protein: 72%
When puppies are in the teething stage, your furniture and clothes can become targets for their sharp little teeth. With the Better Belly Proteins with Real Lamb Flavor, you can satisfy your pet’s chewing needs and reduce the chances of an upset stomach. Thanks to a unique manufacturing process, Better Belly rawhide is easier to digest than its competitors. It contains no gluten, artificial colors, or grains and lasts long enough to keep puppies and small dogs’ teeth clean and healthy. The beef hide is enhanced with real lamb, and dogs enjoy the flavor and texture.
Customers were happy with the lamb-flavored rawhide, but larger breeds did not take long to devour the treat. The size and thickness of the rawhide are ideal for puppies and small dogs.
Highly digestible recipe
Made with beef hide and real lamb
Inexpensive
- Highly digestible recipe
- Made with beef hide and real lamb
- Inexpensive
Not suitable for heavy chewers
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
5. Busy Bone Rollhide Small/Medium Dog Treats
Size: 9-count
Price range: Low
Crude protein: 20%
Busy Bone Rollhide Small/Medium Dog Treats are designed to challenge your pet to chew through the rawhide to reach the savory filling. They contain no artificial colors or flavors, and the center is wrapped around the high-quality beef hide. Rollhides are the perfect size for medium and small canines, but they’re also available in larger sticks for big pups.
Older dogs are more vulnerable to dental injuries from hard rawhide treats, but Rollhides are soft enough for senior teeth. Dogs enjoy the flavor of Rollhides, but several customers mentioned that the treats were messier than other brands. After dogs chew them for a few minutes, the sticky residue covers paws and mouths.
Affordable
No artificial colors or flavors
Ideal size for small dogs
- Affordable
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Ideal size for small dogs
Residue sticks to paws and mouths
- Residue sticks to paws and mouths
6. The Rawhide Express Natural Pressed Rawhide Dog Bone
Check Latest Price
Size: 1 bone treat
Price range: Low
Crude protein: 70%
The Rawhide Express Natural Pressed Rawhide Dog Bone is made without preservatives, artificial flavors, or wheat products. Its sole ingredient is beef hide, and its dense composition maintains strong jaws and healthy teeth. It’s available in five sizes that range from 4 inches to 12 inches, and it’s less expensive than most competitors.
Dog owners were impressed with the rawhide’s longevity; one customer mentioned that their dog chewed on the bone for several days before it was consumed. Although pressed rawhide treats are sometimes less durable than single sheets of hide, the Rawhide Express can withstand heavy chewers. Since it’s harder than similar products, Rawhide Express is not suitable for aging dogs or ones with dental issues.
Affordable
Beef hide is the only ingredient
Ideal for heavy chewers
- Affordable
- Beef hide is the only ingredient
- Ideal for heavy chewers
Too hard for some dogs
- Too hard for some dogs
7. Busy Bone Rib Hide 5” Dog Treats
Size: 12-count
Price range: Medium
Crude protein: 25%
Unlike the Rollhides we reviewed, the Busy Bone Rib Hide 5” Dog Treats have a savory meat flavor on the outside rather than the interior. The handcrafted rib-shaped treats are made with beef hides from farm-raised cattle, and they’re tender enough for older pups and dogs that prefer a softer chew over a hard bone. They’re made for all breeds, but larger dogs tend to consume them quickly without much chewing exercise. Small and medium dog owners were pleased with the treats, and most dogs love the flavor, but some reviewers mentioned that the Rib Hide creates a significant mess on their dogs’ mouths and paws.
Hides are sourced from farm-raised cattle
Savory flavor appeals to picky dogs
- Hides are sourced from farm-raised cattle
- Savory flavor appeals to picky dogs
Does not last long for large canines
Creates a sticky mess
- Does not last long for large canines
- Creates a sticky mess
8. Dingo Munchy Stix Dog Treats
Size: 50-count
Price range: Low
Crude protein: 80%
Dingo Munchy Stix Dog Treats combine rawhide with pork and chicken flavors to convince even the most stubborn canines to chow down. They’re higher in protein than any product we reviewed, and they’re more affordable than most competitors. Dogs love the chicken jerky-covered rawhide, but some consumers were upset that the treats were not as soft as the manufacturer claimed.
The product description mentions that Munchy Stix are ideal for aging dogs and puppies, but several pet parents complained that they were too hard and worried their pets could injure their teeth. Another problem with Dingo’s rawhide is the unnecessary ingredients. It has corn syrup and salt added to make the treat more appetizing, but you can find healthier alternatives that still appeal to your pet.
Affordable
Dogs love the flavor
- Affordable
- Dogs love the flavor
Too hard for a soft chew
Contains corn syrup and salt
- Too hard for a soft chew
- Contains corn syrup and salt
9. Savory Prime Beef Flavored Rawhide Twists
Size: 100-count
Price range: Low
Crude protein: Not listed
If you have several pups in your home and need an affordable rawhide treat without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, you can use Savory Prime Beef Flavored Rawhide Twists. They’re more affordable than every product on our list, and the treat’s only ingredient is 100% prime beef rawhide. Savory’s treats are durable enough to keep heavy chewers busy, but you may have to hose your pet off after it finishes the rawhide. Although they’re only made from rawhide, the beef flavoring comes off easily and makes a mess of your dog. Savory’s biggest problem is the flavor. Several dogs could not chew the treats because they disliked the taste.
Inexpensive
Made from 100% prime beef
- Inexpensive
- Made from 100% prime beef
Very messy
Many dogs dislike the flavor
- Very messy
- Many dogs dislike the flavor
10. Buffalo Range All-Natural Grain-Free Jerky Braid Rawhide Dog Treats
Size: 10-count
Price range: Low
Crude protein: 65%
Unlike most rawhide projects on the market, Buffalo Range All-Natural Grain-Free Jerky Braid Rawhide treats are made from 100% grass-fed buffalo hides and buffalo meat. They do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, dyes, or GMO meats. The 5.75-inch sticks are suitable for breeds of all sizes, and they’re perfect for pups with gluten or grain allergies.
Although the braided design stands apart from the competition, the treats do not last as long as other brands in its price range. After a few minutes, the braids fall apart, and your dog can quickly consume the treat in no time. However, the biggest drawback to the Buffalo Range treat is its tendency to dissolve into smaller pieces. Dogs are more susceptible to choking when the rawhide falls apart easily.
Grain-free formula
Affordable
- Grain-free formula
- Affordable
Dissolves quickly
Possible choking hazard
- Dissolves quickly
- Possible choking hazard
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Rawhides for Dogs
We discussed several high-quality treats, but you can examine this guide for additional facts about using rawhide before making a decision.
Veterinary Advice
If you’re unsure whether your pet is old enough or healthy enough to chew rawhide, consult your veterinarian. Most dogs older than 6 months can chew rawhide, but some animals develop quicker than others, and it’s best to wait until the teeth are strong enough to handle harder chews. If your dog has sensitive gums or dental conditions, schedule a complete dental examination before purchasing rawhide products.
Breed Size
Unfortunately, most rawhide producers make treats for medium and small breeds. Extra-large dog owners have problems finding products large enough to prevent choking, and some rawhide treats designed for all species are not suitable for big beasts.
When searching for large treats, look at the product’s dimensions rather than the manufacturer’s recommendations. Although a product description claims the product is for dogs of all sizes, few treats exist that are large enough to prevent choking but small enough for tiny mouths. If your dog can fit the entire piece in its mouth, the rawhide is too small, and you’ll have to use another brand that’s larger and safer.
Life Stage
Puppies with immature teeth should avoid chewing on rawhide, but most breeds can munch on them when they reach 6 months of age. Most rawhide treats are designed for adult dogs, but you have to be more selective when you own a senior pup. Older dogs are more vulnerable to dental damage from hard food, but you can prevent an injury by buying softer chews with more digestive rawhide.
Hazards of Using Rawhide
Although rawhide has been a staple for dogs for over 70 years, some veterinarians and animal rights organizations oppose its use. Generally, the risk of an injury from a commercial rawhide treat is minimal. However, you have to be careful with the brands you select because some of the injuries associated with inferior products can send your pup to the animal hospital.
Choking
The durability of the treat is a significant concern. Rawhide that breaks apart easily can cause pieces to lodge in the back of the dog’s throat and restrict breathing. If you have a pet that devours its meals in seconds, you should supervise the animal closely while chewing rawhide. Fast eaters are more vulnerable to choking and other injuries than pups eating at a steady pace.
Unreputable Suppliers
Cattle industries in North and South America are heavily regulated. Unlike the cattle markets in some Asian countries, American cattle workers do not use arsenic or other toxic chemicals to process hides. When the hides are processed and dried correctly, they will not contain trace chemicals or mold.
If you receive discolored treats or ones covered with mold, throw them in the trash and pick another brand. Every Asian rawhide maker does not use arsenic, and most follow sanitary guidelines, but you can reduce your chances of buying a contaminated product by relying on products from the Americas.
Dental Injuries
Rawhide treats come in many textures and densities, but the hard treats are not appropriate for older canines or baby dogs. Rawhide can damage sensitive teeth and gums, and dogs with dental issues should only use products (like soft chewable toys) cleared by a veterinarian.
Digestive Problems
Puppies and seniors sometimes have issues digesting rawhide treats, but you can find plenty of treats without rawhide that your dog can eat without problems. If your dog has digestive distress after chewing or eating rawhide, discard the treats and use a highly-rated chew toy to keep its teeth healthy and clean.
Conclusion
Our reviews highlighted the best rawhide products for dogs, but our overall favorite was the Castor & Pollux Good Buddy USA Rawhide Dog Bone Treat. It lasts longer than the competitor’s treats, and it’s tender enough to prevent dental damage in canines with sensitive teeth.
Our best value pick was Bones & Chews’ 6-7” Rawhide Bone Dog Treats. Beef hide is the only ingredient in the rawhide, and the pieces of the treat do not splinter like other affordable rawhide products. We’re confident you’ll select a rawhide that maintains your pet’s dental health and puts an end to doggy breath.
See also:
- 10 Best Dog Seat Covers – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 10 Best Dog Barking Deterrents – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 6 Best Dog Colognes – Reviews & Top Picks!
Featured Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock
