August 14, 2026 Harri McHarron

How Often Should You Give Your Dog Natural Chews?

Natural dog chews can be a great way to keep your dog occupied, satisfy their natural urge to chew and add variety to their diet. But one question we hear regularly is:

How often should you give your dog a natural chew?

There isn't one answer that suits every dog. The right amount depends on your dog's size, age, diet, activity level and, importantly, the type of natural chew you're giving them.

In this guide, we'll look at how often dogs can have natural chews, whether they can have one every day and how to choose the right chew for your dog.

What Are Natural Dog Chews?

Natural dog chews are typically made from animal ingredients that have been dried or air-dried to preserve them without the need for lots of additional ingredients.

Popular examples include:

One of the biggest advantages of natural chews is their simplicity. Many are single-ingredient treats, making it much easier to see exactly what you're feeding your dog.

However, "natural" doesn't automatically mean unlimited. Chews should still form part of a balanced diet.

How Often Can Dogs Have Natural Chews?

For many healthy adult dogs, natural chews can be offered several times a week, with some lower-calorie options potentially suitable more frequently.

The important thing is to consider the chew as part of your dog's overall food intake rather than something completely separate from their diet.

Treats and chews shouldn't make up too much of your dog's daily calorie intake. If your dog regularly receives natural chews, you may need to take this into account when measuring their normal meals.

A small rabbit ear, for example, is very different from giving your dog a large pigs' ear or a substantial bully stick.

Rather than following a strict rule such as "one chew per day", it's better to rotate different types and sizes of chews throughout the week.

Can Dogs Have a Natural Chew Every Day?

Some dogs can enjoy a natural chew every day, but the type of chew matters.

Smaller or lighter treats may fit easily into a dog's daily diet, whereas larger or higher-fat chews are usually better given less frequently.

For example, you might rotate between:

A rabbit ear
A small piece of paddywack
A dried fish treat
A trachea
A longer-lasting chew

This gives your dog variety while avoiding repeatedly feeding large, calorie-dense chews.

If your dog is overweight, has a sensitive stomach, requires a low-fat diet or has a medical condition, speak to your vet before introducing new treats or making chews a regular part of their diet.

How Many Natural Treats Should a Dog Have a Day?

A useful general guideline is that treats should account for no more than around 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the majority of their nutrition coming from a complete and balanced diet.

That 10% includes everything outside their main meals — training treats, biscuits, chews and those little extras they somehow convince us to give them!

This is why counting individual treats isn't always particularly helpful.

One large chew could contain considerably more calories than several small treats.

Instead, think about:

Size + calories + frequency.

A small dog will generally need a much smaller portion than a large, active dog.

Choosing the Right Natural Chew for Your Dog

Not every chew is suitable for every dog.

Small Dogs

Smaller dogs generally benefit from appropriately sized chews that they can comfortably hold and chew.

Options may include rabbit ears, small pieces of dried meat or appropriately sized natural chews.

Avoid giving a small dog an oversized chew simply because you want it to last longer.

Medium and Large Dogs

Larger dogs and stronger chewers may need more substantial options such as paddywack, trachea, beef skin or other longer-lasting natural chews.

Always choose something appropriately sized so your dog can't easily swallow the chew whole.

Puppies

Puppies naturally want to chew, particularly while teething, but their teeth and digestive systems are still developing.

Choose age-appropriate, softer chews and supervise them carefully.

If you're unsure whether a particular natural chew is suitable for your puppy, check the manufacturer's guidance or ask your vet.

Senior Dogs

Older dogs can still enjoy natural chews, but their teeth may not be as strong as they once were.

Softer options can be more appropriate than extremely hard chews, particularly if your dog has existing dental problems.

Should You Give Your Dog Different Chews?

Rotation can be a great approach.

Different animal proteins and chew textures provide different experiences, and changing the chew throughout the week can keep things interesting.

For example, rather than giving a pigs' ear every day, you could rotate between rabbit, beef, buffalo, poultry and fish-based treats.

It can also help you discover which proteins and textures your dog prefers.

When introducing something new, start gradually and monitor your dog's digestion.

What About Hairy Natural Chews?

Hairy rabbit ears and other fur-on treats have become increasingly popular with dog owners looking for more traditional, minimally processed treats.

The fur provides additional indigestible material that passes through the digestive system.

You'll sometimes see hairy treats described online as a "natural dewormer". However, they should not be relied upon to prevent or treat intestinal worms.

If you're concerned about worms or parasites, speak to your vet about appropriate testing and treatment.

Hairy rabbit ears can still be an interesting natural chew and a useful way of introducing different textures into your dog's treat rotation.

Are Hard Natural Chews Better?

A chew lasting longer doesn't necessarily mean it's better.

Very hard chews can potentially damage teeth, particularly in aggressive chewers.

Your dog's chewing style matters just as much as their size.

Some dogs patiently gnaw at a chew for an hour. Others seem determined to destroy it in thirty seconds!

Watch how your dog approaches new chews and choose accordingly.

Always Supervise Your Dog With Natural Chews

Dogs should be supervised whenever they're eating a chew.

Even a chew that begins large can eventually become small enough to swallow.

Remove the final piece if it becomes small enough to present a choking risk, and always make sure your dog has access to fresh drinking water.

It's also worth remembering that no chew is completely risk-free.

Selecting an appropriate size, supervising your dog and knowing their chewing habits can significantly reduce the risks.

So, How Often Should You Give Your Dog a Natural Chew?

For most dogs, there isn't a fixed number.

Natural chews can be included regularly as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle, provided you consider:

Your dog's size and age
The size of the chew
The chew's calorie and fat content
Your dog's normal diet
Their activity level
Their chewing style
Any existing health conditions

For many dogs, offering a selection of natural chews a few times throughout the week is a simple place to start.

Smaller, lighter treats may be suitable more frequently, while larger or richer chews can be saved as an occasional treat.

Above all, moderation and variety are more useful than simply sticking to "one chew a day".

Shop Natural Dog Chews

At Natural Pet Shop, we stock a growing range of natural dog treats and chews, including rabbit ears, pigs' ears, trachea, paddywack, fish treats and more.

Our aim is simple: premium products at fair prices, with plenty of options to suit different dogs, sizes and chewing styles.

Explore our range of natural dog treats and find your dog's next favourite chew.

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