I’m a big fan of natural chewy treats for Dachshunds and give them to my dog every day.
What is Natural Chew?
- Well, it’s natural and contains no unnecessary ingredients.
- Completely digestible (as long as it is naturally processed)
- Rich in protein, minerals and vitamins
- Made from some animal parts
- Limited ingredient content makes it ideal for dogs with allergies
I get a lot of questions from my followers so here is a list of my top 7 favorites and where to get them.
But first, why would my dog eat a natural chew once a day, and how should I feed it to them (it’s not as easy as you might think)?
Why Feed Your Dachshund Natural Chews?
There are several reasons why I make sure to feed my Dachshund natural chewy foods every day.
I feed my dog natural chews:
- Allowing your dog to spend time in the crate will help him develop a positive relationship with it.
- It keeps them busy while providing mental stimulation.
- This is to provide a distraction when I leave the house so that the kids don’t get anxious when I walk through the door or when a guest arrives.
- Naturally promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- As a tool to distract your puppy and reduce biting or chewing on things they shouldn’t.
The main thing to remember is that depending on the size and texture of the chews, you should never feed your dog unattended and never let them eat the whole thing in one go.
Always supervise your Dachshund when giving him chews, especially if it’s something he’s never eaten before.
How to Feed Your Dachshund with Natural Chews
In most cases, natural chews are harder than typical “commercial” dog chews.
But the Dachshund very Strong jaws!
Some Dachshunds will eat a Bulldog stick with finesse, but a strong-willed Dachshund can devour a six-inch Bulldog stick in under 15 minutes.
Others break off larger chunks and try to swallow them.
Also, one of the reasons I like natural chews is because they are durable and long lasting, but it also means that chewing too hard and for too long can cause your dog’s gums to bleed a little.
A little bit of bleeding is nothing to worry about for me, but as soon as I start biting I want it to stop.
Not to mention the calories.
Be sure to take into account the calories in the treats your dog eats each day.
I closely monitor my Dachshund’s daily calorie intake and rarely want to feed him all at once, especially since I sometimes want to give him chewy treats a few times a day.
Here are some important notes about how and when to offer your dog natural chews:
- Typically I only let my dogs chew for 10-15 minutes at a time and never go completely unsupervised, at least if it’s a new chew that I haven’t supervised in the past.
- Depending on the chew and my needs at the time, I may give my dogs this chew in their crate, on their mat (some people call it their place), or outside in the yard.
- If the chew isn’t finished (and it usually isn’t), take the chew away when the time is up.
- If it is a low-value chew, they will give it back to me when I give the command, “enough.”
- For very expensive bites, I’ll “trade” them for something tastier, like raw food or cheese.
- I only chew on it once or twice a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.
- If a large number of chews are consumed in one day, reduce the amount of food offered at mealtimes to compensate for the extra calories.
- These chews are made from or contain meat, so once you’ve eaten them, store them in the freezer until next time.
I try not to give my dogs the same type of treat every time, to vary the flavors (they don’t know what they’re going to get so it’s always fun) and to vary the chewiness levels (hardness).
Favorite Natural Chews for Dachshunds
Disclosure: Many of the links on this page Affiliate Link (Amazon Associates or other programs we participate in.) As an affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
I like to add new chews to my rotation every now and then, but these are the ones I come back to again and again.
Please note that these are all sourced and manufactured in the US, or in countries with very high food standards such as South America (some even have higher standards than the US).
1) Bully Stick
Bully sticks are my favorite natural chews because they’re reasonably durable and readily available.
For those of you who don’t already know, and to save you from being shocked later, whether it’s called a bully stick or a bull pizzle, it’s an air-dried bull penis.
Some of them are really smelly and since I usually feed this chew indoors I always buy the “low” or odorless version (also called unscented).
I also throw away the ends once they get small enough that my dog tries to swallow them. To cut down on waste, I buy thick 12 inch bulldog sticks.
If you give it 10-15 minutes at a time, one 12-inch Bully Stick will last at least 4-5 sessions, making it a safe and excellent rawhide alternative.
The only “warning” with these is that they can string and get stuck in teeth – I’ve had to remove splinters from my dogs teeth on a few occasions.
I buy my Bulldog sticks from my local pet store or online from brands like: Barkworthy’s or surprised.
It’s only 6 inches long, but I sometimes BarkWorthies Hickory Smoked Bully Sticks Because dogs love them.
2) Cow ears with fur
This is very effective at cleaning your Dachshund’s teeth but it smells awful. teeth Air-dried dead animal parts.
However, they are sturdy and the coarse bristles remove plaque easily.
If plaque has built up at the gum line, two or three chews with the fluffy cow’s ear will remove it almost entirely.
Hair is a natural “intestinal cleaner” and parasite remover.
Cow ears are generally very large and thin, but the base is thick and meaty, so I feed each ear two or three times.
I only feed them outdoors because they stink, so unfortunately I can’t feed them as much as I’d like in the winter.
The only drawback for me is that Summit very It’s valuable, so it may be hard to get it back from her.
The exchange requires the use of a highly valuable food item, and you need to throw it far away from her ear so you have time to snatch it from her before she turns around and tries to defend it again.
I have a cow’s ear. Naked Beast SnacksI sometimes buy smaller calf ears. Ötzi.
3) Beef tendon
My Dachshund loves beef tendon, but it is softer than the two chews mentioned above, so more is consumed in one chew.
So I treat them as “dog food” that takes longer to eat and has other benefits.
At 10 weeks old, puppies use tendons most often, as their teeth are not yet as strong.
These are usually purchased from a local boutique pet store, but sometimes online.
I buy Smaller tendons My Dachshund puppy and these Large beef tendon For adult dogs.
Small tendons typically last 4-6 times per puppy chew session, while larger tendons last 2-3 times per adult chew session.
These are softer and more brittle than most of the chews we use, so I have my Dachshund chew the ends off and swallow them (unlike Bulldog Sticks).
I feed them indoors because they don’t smell or get dirty.
4) Duck (or chicken) wings
Contrary to popular belief, dogs can eat and digest bones (but only give them to your dog if you’re okay with it) if Bones Living.
Important: Do not feed cooked bones to dogs
Dried duck wings and chicken wings contain soft hollow bones that contain cartilage, meat and connective tissue, making them a chewy treat.
Bone and cartilage are harder, which is why they are considered “chews,” but because they are more brittle, they are often consumed more quickly than the other chews on this list.
I fed my dogs one wing at a time – it’s a little too big for them to eat it all at once, but too small for them to eat in two sittings.
Like the tendons above, they have almost no smell and are used as a “chewy food” to eat indoors.
I usually feed them the dried version of chicken wings that are sold in my store. Real Dog Box Subscribe or order Naked Beast Snacks.
Maybe one day I’ll buy some raw chicken wings from the grocery store and try them.
Note: Raw meaty bones include chicken feet, heads, necks, etc. I have given raw feet, air dried chicken or duck heads, and dried necks in the past, but I don’t feed the raw necks to dogs because Gretel tries to swallow them whole without chewing.
5) Beef Collagen Stick
Collagen sticks are similar in form and function to Bulldog sticks, but are a little cheaper and don’t have the same “nasty body parts” element (they’re made from skin instead of penis).
My dogs don’t like them as much as they do the Bulldog Stick, but they don’t dislike them either.
They are just as strong and long-lasting as Bulldog Sticks, and because they don’t have any strings attached, there’s less chance of splinters getting caught in your dog’s teeth.
In my opinion, it doesn’t smell, so I feed them indoors.
I will order collagen sticks surprised.
6) Tracheal Tube
The most common tracheal chews are made from cows, but some are made from goats, lambs, and other animals.
The trachea is made almost entirely of cartilage and in addition to all the general benefits of natural chewy foods listed above, it contains natural chondroitin and glucosamine, which are great for your dog’s joints.
These chews are softer, but their odd shape makes them difficult for dogs to eat quickly.
You can buy them in ring shapes that can be eaten in one sitting, or longer shapes that can be eaten in multiple sittings.
When they arrive, I give them a trachea chew. Real Dog Box Buy a subscription box Barkworthy’s Hickory Smoked Beef Tracheaor purchase Nature Gnaws USA Smoked Bison Trachea Rings online.
7) Earth Animal No Hide Chews
These are the only chews on this list that aren’t single-ingredient, but the list is short.
I would never feed my dog raw leather because it is indigestible and has been chemically processed to turn it white, but these chews have the look and texture of raw leather and are healthier.
No Hide Chews are made with protein, or “flavor” (think chicken, beef, salmon, peanut butter), plus brown rice flour, agar, organic eggs, olive oil, banana powder and pineapple stem.
There is almost no odor, Small stick Eat it all at once or Large roll It can be taken in several divided doses.
Final thoughts
I think natural chews are an important part of a Dachshund’s diet.
They add variety and interest to your dog’s daily diet and help with important things like cleaning their teeth, mental enrichment and stress relief.
You’ll notice that my list does not include deer antler or yak cheese chews, which are commonly recommended as natural chews for dogs.
Because it’s very difficult.
I’ve heard stories of the corners breaking off and getting caught in dogs’ gums, or even cracking their teeth when they chew on them.
Some of the chews on this list are harder than others and it’s possible that your dog might bite into something and damage their teeth, but I’m pretty sure that the chews on this list are unlikely to break a tooth.
To ensure safety, be sure to supervise your dog when he is eating treats at least a few times until he gets used to how and how quickly he is eating.
Also, if this is your first time feeding your dog natural chews like duck feathers or cow ears, be aware that their rich flavors may require some adjustment.
Feed your dog a small amount at first and then monitor him to make sure it doesn’t upset his stomach.
