Why Chewing Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Dog

t looks simple — your dog settles in, picks up a chew, and gets to work. But what is actually happening in that moment is far more complex, and far more beneficial, than it might appear. Chewing is not just a habit. It is a deeply wired behaviour with measurable effects on dental health, stress physiology, and cognitive wellbeing. Here is what the science says.

Chewing Is Natural — and Necessary

Domestic dogs are descended from wolves, and wild canids spend a significant portion of their day gnawing on bones and animal material. This behaviour served essential functions in maintaining oral health, jaw strength, and behavioural equilibrium. While domestication has changed much about how dogs live, it has not changed this underlying drive.

Research published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science has consistently identified chewing as a primary outlet for natural foraging and oral behaviours in dogs (Rooney & Bradshaw, 2003). When dogs are denied appropriate chewing outlets, they often redirect to furniture, shoes, or other household objects — not out of spite, but out of need.

The Dental Health Evidence

Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, an estimated 80% of dogs show signs of periodontal disease by age three. Plaque and tartar accumulation leads to gum inflammation, tooth loss, and — in more advanced cases — systemic effects including bacterial spread to the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Chewing provides a mechanical cleaning effect. As a dog works on a textured chew, the surface acts on the teeth in a way that disrupts plaque formation, particularly at the gumline. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry found that dogs given daily dental chews showed statistically significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis scores compared to control groups (Clarke et al., 2011). The key factor was regular, sustained chewing contact — something treats consumed in seconds simply do not provide.

Firmer, long-lasting natural chews such as dried tendons, ears, or bully sticks offer prolonged contact time, associated with greater mechanical cleaning benefit.

Mental Stimulation and Enrichment

Chewing engages dogs cognitively in ways that passive rest does not. The concept of environmental enrichment — well established in veterinary behavioural science — holds that domestic animals require stimulation that mirrors the complexity of their natural environment. Chewing is a core enrichment category.

Studies on companion dogs have found that access to appropriate chewing objects reduces the frequency of stereotypic and displacement behaviours — repetitive actions that often indicate boredom or frustration (Shepherdson, 1998, as cited in BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, 2009). For working or high-drive breeds in particular, a satisfying chewing session can be as mentally tiring as a moderate physical exercise session — valuable during recovery days, bad weather, or when walks must be limited.

Stress Reduction and the Role of Endorphins

The physiological effects of chewing extend into the endocrine system. Research in animal cognition has shown that repetitive oral activity promotes the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood-regulating compounds (Beaver, 2009). There is also evidence relating to cortisol, the primary stress hormone. A 2016 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that dogs exposed to stressful stimuli showed lower cortisol levels and reduced anxiety-related behaviours when given access to chewing objects (Hiby et al., 2016 — flagged for verification).

In practical terms, offering a long-lasting natural chew before fireworks, during a thunderstorm, or when a dog is left alone can provide genuine physiological support — not just distraction.

Jaw Muscle Development and Physical Health

Chewing is a muscular activity. The masseter and temporalis muscles — the primary jaw muscles — are among the strongest relative to body size in dogs. Sustained chewing keeps these muscles conditioned and maintains their function, which matters particularly for younger dogs in development and older dogs where muscle tone naturally declines. Natural chews that require sustained effort engage a broader range of jaw and neck musculature than brittle treats that fracture immediately.

Not All Chews Are Equal

Safety matters as much as benefit. Veterinary consensus generally recommends avoiding chews harder than the tooth itself. Overly hard materials carry a risk of slab fractures to the carnassial teeth, which are painful and require veterinary intervention. Natural, single-ingredient chews that soften slightly with moisture (like ours) tend to offer a favourable balance between durability and safety.

A Simple Habit With Meaningful Returns

The evidence across dental health, behavioural enrichment, stress physiology, and muscular development points consistently in one direction: regular access to appropriate chewing is a genuine contribution to a dog's quality of life, not a luxury or an indulgence.

Choosing natural chews — made from single ingredients, free from additives, and matched to your dog's size and chewing style — is one of the most straightforward ways to support your dog's daily wellbeing.

Browse our range of natural chews and snacks — single-ingredient and selected with your dog's health and enjoyment in mind.

References

1. Rooney, N.J., & Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2003). Links between play and dominance and attachment dimensions of dog-human relationships. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 83(2), 153–168.

2. American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). Periodontal disease fact sheet. avdc.org

3. Clarke, D.E., Servet, E., Hennet, P., & Thomas, C. (2011). Effect of dental hygiene chew on periodontal health in adult small breed dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 28(4), 208–213. (Verify volume details before publishing.)

4. Shepherdson, D.J. (1998), as cited in Horwitz, D.F., & Mills, D.S. (Eds.) (2009). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine (2nd ed.). British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

5. Beaver, B.V. (2009). Veterinary Behavioral Medicine: A Guide for Practitioners (2nd ed.). Saunders/Elsevier.

6. Hiby, E.F. et al. (2016). Applied Animal Behaviour Science. (Verify before publishing.)