Having one of the best long-lasting dog chews on hand that you know is going to go the distance can be a true lifesaver. They act as a great distraction, allowing you to focus on what you’ve got to get done while your pup stays happily engaged, while being great for your dog, too. Unlike the best dog treats that are truly tasty but can be devoured within seconds, a longest lasting dog chew can keep your dog's paws and teeth busy for much longer, some even a few hours.
Not only do these chews add variety to your dog’s diet, but they also offer essential physical and mental stimulation, promoting your dog's overall wellbeing. Chewing keeps your dog’s jaw strong and teeth clean, plus it helps to combat boredom and relieve anxiety as it releases endorphins. If you’ve got a puppy who’s trying to relieve the pain of growing teeth, the longest lasting dog chews will be a bit much, so check out our guide to the best puppy teething toys.
To help you find the perfect long lasting dog chew for your dog, we’ve put a selection to the test to see how they stand up to the challenge and how happy they made our dogs.
The best long lasting dog chews 2024
Best overall long lasting dog chew
These are our top pick for a natural and easy-to-digest chew that will last for hours. High in calcium and free from gluten and lactose, they're gentle on the stomach and particularly good for those with allergies.
Natural and organic, these chews are available in range of sizes, and work well for heavy chewers. Our four-legged tester, Duke, has stayed interested in chewing them for weeks, with each chew lasting around 30 minutes.
We loved the resealable packaging for portability, and the chews don’t have any smell, which is great if that puts you off.
Overall, dog owners in the reviews agreed these are extremely popular with their dogs as well as cost-effective. One said their dog is on week two of chewing their first stick.
Reasons to buy: Free from additives, preservatives and chemicals. Can be microwaved to create softer texture if needed.
Reasons to avoid: The crumbly texture means they aren’t the tidiest of chews.
Best long lasting dog chews for aggressive chewers
If your dog gets through just about every kind of chew in no time at all, then it’s time to pull out these Bones & Chews Cow Hooves. These are chunky and pretty hard so only adult dogs (excluding seniors) should give these a go. Our tester Wally loves these and likes to hold them between his front paws as he lays down so he can really get stuck in.
During testing, these lasted Wally hours (if not days) because they really are tough, which means they’re really earned their spot as one of the longest lasting dog chews. On some occasions, he’d leave the hoof and come back to it later when he fancied a little break. Like other natural treats, these hooves have a strong smell to them and because they last so long, you can expect the smell to stay for a while too.
Reasons to buy: Your dog is an aggressive chewer and gets through anything.
Reasons to avoid: You have a senior dog or young puppy.
Best long lasting dog chew for treat balls
Designed to be used in Starmark's Everlasting Treat Ball, these chews have a hard texture that dogs can lick, chew, and gnaw, offering them a fantastic physical and mental workout — and keeping teeth clean in the process.
While most long lasting dog chews appear similar to sticks, these are large and round to form the heart of a puzzle.
Unlike toys, these chews are entirely edible although wheat gluten, gelatin, water and glycerin form the main ingredients. They are certain to give your dogs a good workout, though, and we reckon they'll go down a treat.
Buyers report that the toy kept their dogs quiet for ages and is a great ‘boredom breaker’.
Reasons to buy: You want to improve your dog's oral hygiene and provide a challenge on a budget.
Reasons to avoid: You want a standalone chew.
Best natural long lasting dog chew
Handmade in the Himalayas, these bars are 100% natural, vegetarian, low in fat and high in protein. Not only do they provide your dog with an incredibly long-lasting snack, but they have additional benefits to dental health and stress relief.
They are very hard and long lasting, so are suitable for even the strongest chewers and are available in two sizes to suit all dogs. Made from cow’s milk that is transformed into cheese and then pressed and air-dried for three months, these chews are ideal for those dogs on a gluten-free or grain-free diet.
Best long lasting dog chew toy
This chew bone is perfect if your dog loves to chew – and is very good at it! It has bacon flavor throughout, which means the flavor goes on for as long as the chew does – it doesn’t get licked off.
It’s available in a range of sizes and other flavors. The materials are as tough as real bones but don’t pose the same danger. Instead of splintering, the smooth surface roughs up as it’s chewed and tiny bristles raise on the bone that act like a mini toothbrush.
Our four-legged tester, Murphy, has been chewing this bone for well over a month and despite it having lots of chew marks, it’s still intact, it still smells and he’s still really interested in it.
We didn’t have any concerns while Murphy was happily chewing away, so he could be left unsupervised with this chew. Some edges became sharper where it had been gnawed, but this never caused Murphy a problem and certainly didn’t deter him.
Reasons to buy: You need an interesting but calorie-free chew for a dog on a diet.
Reasons to avoid: Some dogs don’t find chew toys as interesting as edible chews.
Best long lasting chews for when you’re out and about
Pig ears have been great for keeping our dog tester, Wally, occupied for 20 minutes or so (which is a long time for a cocker spaniel that never sits still). Because the ears are natural, they will always vary in size but typically, we found they were always small enough to take out and about with us and use as a good training treat for under tables in coffee houses and when we visited somewhere dog friendly but our pup was still learning to settle.
Whilst natural chews like these pig’s ears won’t be for everyone, we liked knowing that everything was natural and we knew exactly what our dog was consuming. We also found that the ears weren’t too rich for Wally’s stomach although, we wouldn’t give him a chew like this daily. The ears were chewy rather than rock hard so an aggressive chewer might get through them faster than our pup.
Reasons to buy: Great for taking with you when you’re out with your dog.
Reasons to avoid: Aggressive chewers will need something bigger.
Best long lasting dog chew for allergies
For dogs with allergies, this grain-free, limited-ingredient chew is our pick of the bunch. They don't smell, they don't stain, and they really go the distance, offering excellent value for money.
They’re available in a wide range of sizes – from small all the way up to jumbo, which is aimed at the most aggressive chewers of the largest breeds.
These chews hard enough to keep a dog occupied for days, never mind hours, and they offer an abundance of protein. Your dog with get good jaw exercise and the chew will help remove some plaque and tartar build-up.
Dog owners who left reviews for this product said they were impressed at these chews lasting days as opposed to hours. Others added additional praise such as, “They don't smell, they don't stain and they seem to do a pretty decent job of cleaning his teeth.”
Reasons to buy: You want a high-protein, low-fat chew with limited ingredients that will keep your dog occupied for longer.
Reasons to avoid: These chews are on the pricier side – but if they keep your dog entertained it will be worth the money.
Best long lasting dog chew for teenage dogs
Beef trachea chews have been a game changer for our dog tester, Wally. These treats are firm enough to keep him occupied for about 30-60 minutes (depending on how hungry he is) but they’re not rock hard so that it causes his gums any soreness like some firmer bones do.
Prepare for a pretty strong odor from this trachea and perhaps some funny looks when you whip it out in a coffee shop or restaurant to keep your dog busy. Despite the smell, which just made Wally more excited, this chew is natural and keeps its taste throughout rather than the flavor just being on the outside like with many artificial chews, such as a Nylabone.
Reasons to buy: Natural and not too tough on gums.
Reasons to avoid: The smell is pretty strong for humans.
Best long lasting dog chew for larger breeds
Able to withstand plenty of heavy chomping, this flavorsome and nutritious bone is great for aggressive chewers and is sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle. It's our pick if you're after a chew that will keep your canine occupied for days.
Ideal for larger dogs, this chew is capable of lasting through enthusiastic chewing by sizable teeth. They are 100% natural and contain naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids and protein, plus lots of important minerals for your dog.
Dog owners praised this product for the taste factor and how great a distraction the chews are.
Reasons to buy: You’re looking for a premium-grade nutritious chew that is packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Reasons to avoid: It’s not suitable for small dog or if you’re looking for a chew you can give without needing to supervise.
Best wood alternative long lasting dog chew
This BBQ flavor chew satisfies your dog’s natural chewing instincts with a tough, safe and non-toxic alternative to wooden sticks. They’re great for playing fetch with as well as chewing.
It combines wood with durable synthetic materials to make it last longer. This is much safer as there’s no risk of splintering and they create less mess, too, so it’s a win-win.
The sticks are available in four sizes, so there’s something suitable for most sizes and ages – and they’re suitable for dogs with allergies, too.
Reasons to buy: It’s a safer alternative to sticks – and is priced well for a budget.
Reasons to avoid: If you want a natural chew that your dog can eventually ingest.
How we tested the best long lasting dog chews
We shopped around for the longest lasting dog chews and gave them to our team of four-legged testers to make sure these would be products that dogs would genuinely find beneficial. Here's what we took into consideration when we shortlisted these products:
Chew time: We looked for dog chews that would really last and keep your dog busy.
Budget: We've made sure that the chews included in this guide are a fair price, offering options to suit all dog owners.
Ingredients/material: We know that natural chews aren’t for everyone, so we’ve looked for long-lasting chews with a variety of ingredients and made of a range of materials.
How to choose the best long lasting dog chew
Chewing has many benefits to your dog – and if you can provide him something to fulfill his natural instinct then he’ll reap these benefits without destroying any of your belongings in the process.
When selecting between the longest lasting dog chews available to you, the main thing you need to consider is your dog’s desire to chew. Some dogs are truly determined and would chew for every waking moment if they could, while others are not nearly as invested but will still benefit if you can find something that works for them.
If he’s an aggressive chewer and there’s absolutely no stopping him, you’ll want something tough that’s up to the job and will keep him entertained for long enough for you to get a few jobs done. Whereas if your dog isn’t so determined, you’re better off finding a slightly softer chew that won’t put him off so that he stays busy for just as long.
What do vets recommend for dogs to chew?
Vet Joanna Woodnut says that you can ask 10 vets this question and you’ll get 10 different answers. The truth is, there are lots of opinions about what’s best to chew and there’s very little data to back it up. In general, most vets agree that many chews are dangerous," explains Woodnutt. "Chews that are too hard risk breaking the teeth, causing a lot of pain and requiring emergency dental surgery. Chews that are not digestible may be a risk for obstruction if your dog swallows the chew (or parts of it).
However, the risks of chews need to be balanced against the benefits – chewing is an innate behavior, and providing dogs with things to chew is good for their mental health and dental development.
For every chew there are risks, and it’s hard to find one that vets will agree is good. Some of the wooden chews made from roots are good – although splintering and intestinal obstruction are theoretical risks, they don’t seem to happen very often. Similarly, yak milk chews are often listed by vets as a good option, but they do have a risk for obstruction and potentially tooth breakage, as they are very hard.
Stuffed Kongs are often suggested by vets as a very safe option, but they may not satisfy your dog’s instinct or last long enough to let them chew properly. Natural chews made from dried tendons, tripe, or skin are often a good option, too – but they can be calorific and don’t always last very long, and some have risks due to them being raw products.
Can I give my dog a chew every day?
According to vet Joanna Woodnutt, "You can give your dog a chew every day if it’s not a calorific chew, and the calories have been calculated in their daily allowance. For example, stuffing a Kong with your dog’s normal food means it’s a healthy option for your dog to have on a daily basis.
"A wooden chew doesn’t have any calorie value at all and can be given daily. However, most other chews (dental chews, natural dried chews and yak chews, for example) can be highly calorific. If the chew amounts to more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie allowance you shouldn’t feed it daily."
Can a dog chew be too hard?
In short, yes! If a chew is too firm, solid or hard especially if your dog is a puppy, hasn’t gone through teething and still has their milk teeth, or is a small breed, and therefore has fine and small teeth, then a substance chewed which is too hard can unfortunately damage, crack or fracture their teeth and/or gums. This then results in a trip to the vet for examination with possible further dental care or dental/oral surgery required, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure you select the correct type and size of chew for your dog.
Can puppies have rawhide chews?
Since rawhide can be difficult to digest, you shouldn't give it to puppies aged under six months old. Their jaws and teeth are not likely to be strong enough and there are other health-related issues to take into account.
“Rawhide chews are not ideal,” says dog behaviorist Nick Jones. “When they are chewed for long enough they become like wet leather and a dog can chew off a section which can present problems in the digestive tract [such as vomiting up an oversized swallowed piece]. Rawhide, because of its temperamental state and chew unpredictability, can also become stuck along the gastrointestinal causing your dog to be unwell and there to be a blockage if a chunk is ingested. There are also ethical issues over where some rawhide comes from and how it is treated.”
We’ve rounded up some alternatives to rawhide, and put together some more information about rawhide vs beefhide.
What’s the best way to store dog chews?
Dog chews are often used for intermittent or supplemental feeding, so the best way to ensure they last longer is to pack them away in a clean, airtight container (check out our guide to the best pet food containers) and only hand them out when you want to distract your dog.
You should also keep any unused chews stored in their packet. Just make sure it remains sealed or, again, is placed in an airtight container to prevent bacterial growth. After all, most food goes off when exposed to the air.
“If you give a dog something hard and appropriate, it can last a very long time,” says dog behaviorist Nick Jones. “You can also place a chew in the freezer. A frozen chew will always last longer.”
Read next: Are antlers safe for dogs?
Georgia has a wealth of experience when it comes to researching and writing about the best products for your pets. She’s been testing products for pets and their owners for the best part of a decade and is keen to help you make your life easier and your pets’ lives more fulfilled. She’s a pet parent herself, so she knows what’s really important.
Dr Joanna Woodnutt qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Nottingham where she then went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She really took to the consulting side of things and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behaviour and nutrition - anything that involved helping clients understand their pets better.
Nick Jones is an experienced, qualified and full-time dog behaviourist, who specialises in dog behavior problems, dog expert witness work (dog behavior assessments and assisting the courts), and representation within the media for dog-related topics. With more than 2,000 dog behaviour cases behind him, covering all conceivable aspects of dog behaviour, Nick is every bit as passionate today about creating an understanding and rewarding bond between dog and owner as he was when he first started the business nearly 20 years ago.
