Looking for the best vegan dog chews? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you should know about what to look out for and how to select healthy options.
Read Also: Best Vegan Dog Food Brands
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
What to Consider with Vegan Dog Chews and Bones
Ingredients
One of the first criteria on your list should be healthy ingredients.
If you’re buying digestible dog chews and bones for your canine best friend, they should ideally be all-natural and made with ingredients that are safe—even for human consumption, as is generally the case.
A good rule of thumb is to treat dog chew and bone shopping like you would people food shopping. That is, make sure you can read the ingredient list.
When you see a word that you feel is a recognizable chemical name or anything that’s difficult to understand, look it up and make sure that it’s actually good for your dog.
Not all hard-to-read ingredients are on the “avoid” list, however. There are some vitamins and added supplements with complicated names that are perfectly healthy and in some cases necessary for certain diets.
Here’s another good rule for a vegan dog chew and bone shopping: A shortlist is often a good list. Fewer ingredients mean fewer fillers and a reduced chance of running into ingredients that don’t serve your dog’s best interests.
Bottom line: If you’re not sure what an ingredient is, don’t hesitate to do some quick research or ask an employee if you’re in a store.
Food Dyes
This goes along with making sure that the ingredient list has only safe products on it, but it merits special attention as it can easily fly under the radar.
Edible dog chews and treats that are brightly colored could potentially have chemical food dyes in them. If you’re going the natural route, these are to be avoided.
But just because a dog chew has a pinkish or greenish hue doesn’t mean that it’s made with synthetic dyes. It could be that it’s naturally tinted from real food ingredients.
You might have a hard time telling if you’re looking at items that are sold individually in grab bins (like homemade treats).
These are iffy when you’re buying for your vegan dog, anyway. Unless you’re buying from a trusted vegan source, always ask first—or stick with packaged products so you can read about the ingredients.
Flavors
Just like people’s food ingredient lists, dog treat ingredient lists can be tough to navigate unless you know how which questions to ask.
You may come across a dog chew that looks like it contains no conspicuous animal products, only to find out that the flavorings used aren’t vegan.
All-natural flavorants in dog treats may be plant-based or animal-based. In case the package doesn’t say, check the manufacturer’s website or send an email to ask a representative to do some digging for you.
Another issue with flavors is that they may or may not be synthetic.
This might not be a concern for you, but dog parents looking to keep the ingredient list completely natural may also find it important to stick to natural flavors.
One more thing about flavors—no matter how good a dog chew or bone is for your dog, if it doesn’t taste good, you probably won’t get your dog to try it.
Some pet products are tastier than others, and unfortunately, it may be a matter of trial and error to see whether your pooch likes what you bring home.
Remember that a chew treat that’s rejected may not be entirely out. It could be that the specific flavor and not the brand is the issue.
Your Pet’s Age
If you’re a dog parent, you may already know that dogs need different nutritional sources with different textures at various stages of life.
A younger dog is going to have different food requirements than your senior dog, and a puppy is going to need a teething product that’s gentle and easy to chew.
Many senior dog treats and chews are softer and incorporate ingredients that support joints, like vegan glucosamine (watch out for non-vegan glucosamine from shellfish and non-vegan sources).
Not sure what your dog needs? Talk to your vet. They should be able to guide you toward the types of products you want to give your dog at any stage of life, or even specific vegan products.
Breed Size
Considering the size of your dog is going to play a big role in what kind of chews and toys you can get for her.
Larger breeds can handle bigger chews, toys, and bones while smaller dogs do better with the smaller ones. Give a treat that’s too small to a big dog and it’ll be gone too quickly to reap the benefits of a chew treat.
Worse, buying a non-digestible chew toy that’s too small for your pup can be dangerous. She may accidentally swallow it, in which case you may have an emergency on your hands.
On the other hand, if you give your small dog a huge chew treat, she may not be able to get much use out of it.
Many dog treats and toys will have some sort of guide for matching products to dog breeds, so check the package for this information.
Many pet owners ultimately choose a vegan diet for their dogs out of necessity. Food sensitivities are common, and animal products can be difficult for some dogs to digest or even harmful to their health.
Does your dog have any particular food allergies or sensitivities to products like wheat or soy? You may be surprised at how many pets treats contain these ingredients.
Choosing a product labeled as “natural” doesn’t necessarily put you in the clear. Plenty of natural products incorporates common allergens like wheat and soy.
Maybe you’re interested in finding a vegan dog chew with plant-sourced probiotics to support your dog’s digestive system. This shouldn’t be done in lieu of avoiding allergens, but it can be an added benefit.
Always double-check the ingredient list to make sure that what you’re giving your dog is vegan and free of allergens and ingredients that could upset her digestive system.
Nibblers vs Aggressive Chewers
When you’ve brought chew toys and treats home in the past, how long did they last? You can use your answer to gauge what types of vegan chews and bones you might want to purchase for your dog—digestible or non-digestible ones.
With an aggressive chewer who makes dog toys disappear in the blink of an eye, you may want to invest in a durable non-digestible chew toy or two.
Just make sure it’s not made of a hard substance that could damage your dog’s teeth. It should be durable, but all dogs are different. You can always ask your vet for recommendations.
Even nibblers can benefit from having a good non-digestible chew toy around, and puppies always need something to chew on.
One thing is for sure: every dog needs a tasty treat from time to time. Keep digestible dog chews on hand and consider doling them out more selectively with aggressive chewers if they whip through them.
Shape
Some chews and bones are designed with ridges to help fight tartar and plaque on a dog’s teeth and gums.
This is a great thing to look for as it’s an easy way to keep canine teeth in good shape (in addition to regular teeth cleanings).
Picking a dog chew or toy with this kind of design isn’t necessary, however. Just giving your dog something to chew is going to give her an advantage.
That is unless your dog is in particular need of this help—then it can be good to look for statements on a package about teeth cleaning, or to check for some kind of ridge pattern that can assist in cleaning your pet’s teeth while she chews.
USA Made
There have been controversies surrounding pet treats sourced from some countries in the past that have given American buyers pause.
In the not-too-distant past, Petco announced that it was removing dog and cat treats made in China from its shelves due to thousands of reports to the FDA of pet illnesses and deaths related to Chinese-made treats.
Pet treats made (and sourced) in the U.S. are typically created with high-quality ingredients.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, otherwise known as the FFDCA, requires products that pets can eat to be healthy, pure, safe, and accurately labeled.
To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to give preference to dog treats that are sourced and produced in the U.S.(or do plenty of research on the treats you’re thinking about buying from any country).
Best Vegan Dog Chews Reviews
Pet Eden Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Check out this vegan starter kit
For anyone looking for natural dog treats, Pet Eden’s Sweet Potato Dog Treats are as simple and straightforward as they come.
They’re made of 100 percent U.S.-grown sweet potatoes and nothing else, so they’re allergy-friendly, safe, and healthy.
They’re all-around great vegan chews that even pickier eaters adore. What’s not to love?
Pros
- Simple ingredient list
- Soft enough for a puppy to senior dog teeth
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Easy to digest
- Grain-free and common allergen-free
- Antioxidant-rich
Cons
- Probably won’t last very long, especially if your dog goes through toys and treats in no time flat
Zuke’s Z-Bone Dental Chew Dog Treats
Are you concerned about your dog’s dental hygiene? Give her a treat that will clean her teeth while meeting her chewing needs at the same time.
Zuke’s Z-Bone Dental Chews are grain-free and made with healthy ingredients like ground peas and parsley to naturally sweeten doggy dog breath.
The manufacturer also claims to use a special formula that generates higher bioavailability and nutrient absorption.
Pros
- Gentle and easy teeth cleaning and breath freshening
- Easy to digest
- Grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and generally allergen-friendly
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Available in multiple sizes and flavors
Cons
- Not necessarily for the more active chewers
- Some reviewers report upset stomach issues, which may be flavor-related
West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone
Need a toy to entertain your dog for hours? Here’s the dog chew toy made especially for aggressive chewers.
Using patented Zogoflex material, this toy is durable. It’s also advertised as nontoxic, free of BPA and phthalates. Bonus: It’s easy to clean—just throw it in the dishwasher.
You can also take this toy anywhere. Going on a lake trip? It will float in the water. And since it’s a non-digestible toy, Pup can chew it in the car and not leave bits and pieces all over the upholstery.
- Won’t wear out quickly
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Nontoxic
- Guaranteed by the manufacturer to last
- Will float in water
- Dishwasher-safe
- Recyclable
Cons
- May be too tough for the nibblers
- As tough as these chew toys are, some reviews indicate that particularly strong chewers could still tear through them
V-Dog Breath Bones
Here’s another top product pick for helping your dog maintain healthy teeth and gums while keeping bad breath at bay.
These plant-based chews are loaded with good ingredients like pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.
There’s also a vegan source of DHA Omega 3 (from algae), which is important for dog health.
- Helps with your dog’s oral health
- Sweeter breath
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Available in different sizes
- Free of common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy
- Easy digestibility
- Contains carrageenan (which can upset sensitive digestive systems)
- Hit or miss with doggy taste buds, according to some reviews
Sam’s Yams Veggie Rawhide
Sam’s Yams Veggie Rawhide is pretty much a standard of vegan dog chews.
Like Pet Eden’s Sweet Potato Dog Treats, these contain nothing but U.-grown sweet potatoes for a minimalist and healthful ingredient list.
These vegan rawhide alternatives are thick-cut, so they should last just a wee bit longer.
- Simple ingredients
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Teeth cleaning
- Rich in antioxidants
- Thick-cut for longer chewing
Cons
- Maybe a little too tough for some dogs
Nylabone Dura Chew Dog Toy
This Nylabone Dura Chew toy is going to keep your dog happily occupied for a good long time.
It’s made to stand up to the most aggressive chewing, and best of all, bristles that raise during chewing will help to curb plaque and tartar buildup.
Not all Nylabone toys are necessarily vegan, but this flavor seems to be. Any flavors that you’re unsure about could require contacting the manufacturer to ask directly.
- Highly durable
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Good for teeth and gum cleaning
- Affordable
Cons
- Could be too tough for many dogs
Whimzees Veggie Sausage Natural Dog Treats
If dogs could leave reviews, they’d probably give these chewy treats five stars.
Whimzees Veggie Sausage treats are great for nibblers and will promote better breath and cleaner teeth.
Pet owners love them because they contain a small handful of plant-based ingredients, so they know that their dogs aren’t ingesting a bunch of fillers.
Pros
- Natural with few ingredients
- Taste that dogs love
- GMO-free, grain-free, and allergen-friendly
- Tartar and plaque control
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons
- Not for all sensitive stomachs
- Definitely won’t last very long for stronger chewers
Peanut Butter Hip Hemp Dog Chews
It’s not just older dogs with achy hips.
These Hip Hemp Dog Chews are more like treats than chews, but they’ll help any dog suffering from stiff joints and promote healthy fur and skin.
In addition to Canadian virgin hemp seed oil, these chews contain natural ingredients like flaxseed meal, blackstrap molasses, and organic carrots, beets, and celery.
Pros
- Made with organic fruits and veggies
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Great for older dogs and dogs with joint issues
- Heart-healthy
- Promotes healthy skin and fur
Cons
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
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