Senior Dog Chews Guide

Any recommendations for dog chews for seniors please?

This is a question people DM me about regularly, for seniors with ageing mouths, sensitive gums, less teeth, worn teeth, weakening jaw, joint aches but still have active minds. Unless your senior has a specific aliment that prevents them from engaging in a good chew we can offer senior options to maintain their chew routine for mental stimulation, gentle oral sensory enrichment and emotional regulation.

Older dogs can still clean the teeth they have from chewing, maintain jaw strength, and feel mentally fulfilled as they age. Supporting these helps a dog have a longer quality of life, often up to their final months.

The best chew for your senior dog will depend on the state of their teeth and jaw. Reassess their situation frequently because your senior dogs health can change in a matter of weeks.

Safer, Softer Options

Choose something your senior dog can enjoy without strain and always supervise closely.

• Raw lamb or goat ribs - softer bone from a smaller animal

• Raw kangaroo tail - lean, low fat, easy to hold

• Dehydrated fish skins - gentle chew, rich in omega-3s, can soak in warm water to soften

• Puffed Lambs Ear

• Furry Rabbits Ear - good source of fibre

• Beef Trachea

• Freeze dried chicken necks and wings

• Fresh dried sardines - come in varies sizes

• Organic Paws Sliders

• Dried Meat Sticks/Sausage Snaps - not smoked or wrapped in plastic

• Carrot - whole or sticks, fresh or lightly boiled to soften

• Defrosted enrichment toys - West Paws Toppl or Kong with meat meat, broth and veggies.

Avoid Completely

Too hard, too fatty, too risky.

• Dental Sticks - these are more than often too hard

• Cooked bones - splinter hazard

• Marrow bones - very hard + very high fat content

• Weight-bearing bones from large livestock (cow, pig) - femurs, shanks

• Antlers, hooves, nylon or synthetic chews

• Rawhide !!