How Many Calories Are in a Cow Ear for Dogs?

The honest answer is that it depends on the weight of the ear. Natural chews are not identical factory-shaped biscuits. One ear may be larger, thicker, or heavier than another.

That is why the current Brutus & Barnaby Cow Ears nutrition information lists calorie content by weight: approximately 96.3 calories per ounce.

Instead of assuming every cow ear contains the same number of calories, you can use the edible portion’s weight to make a more useful estimate.

Are Cow Ears Low Fat for Dogs?

Cow ears are often chosen by dog owners looking for a lighter alternative to richer animal chews. The current Brutus & Barnaby label lists 3% crude fat and 87% crude protein.

But “low fat” does not mean “calorie free.”

A chew can have a relatively lean nutritional profile and still add a meaningful number of calories if your dog eats a large portion. This matters especially for:

• small dogs with lower daily calorie needs,
• dogs that receive several treats throughout the day,
• dogs that gain weight easily,
• less active or older dogs, and
• dogs already eating other edible chews.

Think of a cow ear as a real part of the day’s food intake, not as an activity that magically has zero nutritional impact.

Lighter Natural Chew

Brutus & Barnaby Cow Ears

A single-ingredient, rawhide-free beef chew for supervised chew time and dogs that enjoy a satisfying crunchy texture.

• Approximately  96.3 calories per ounce
• 3% crude fat on the current label
• Single-ingredient cow ear
• Best for supervised chew sessions

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How Much Cow Ear Can Your Dog Have?

There is no universal number of cow ears that works for every dog. A 12-pound dog and a 75-pound dog should not automatically receive the same chew portion just because both can physically chew it.

A better starting point is your dog’s overall treat calorie allowance. A commonly used guideline is to keep treats and extras at no more than about 10% of daily calories, while most nutrition should come from a complete and balanced diet.

For example, imagine a dog whose appropriate daily intake is about 400 calories. Ten percent would be approximately 40 calories from all treats and extras combined.

A half-ounce cow ear portion would contain roughly 48 calories based on the current B&B calorie density. In that example, the chew alone could use the dog’s entire treat allowance for the day.

This does not mean cow ears are “bad.” It means the rest of the day should be planned around the chew instead of adding it on top of an already full treat routine.

For a broader explanation of daily treat allowances, read our guide to how many dog treats per day .

Portion Cow Ears by the Dog, Not Just the Product

For more help matching the physical size of a chew to your dog, see our dog chew size guide .

Smaller Format

Cow Ear Slivers

A smaller cow-ear format that can be easier to match with small dogs, lighter chewers, and more controlled portions.

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Portion-Friendly Chew

Cow Ear Halves

A half-ear format for dog owners who want cow-ear chew time without automatically starting with a full-size whole ear.

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Can a Dog Eat a Whole Cow Ear?

Some dogs may finish a whole cow ear during one supervised chew session, but that does not automatically mean every dog should.

Before letting your dog finish the entire chew, consider:

• the weight and estimated calories of the ear,
• your dog’s total calorie needs,
• how many other treats were eaten that day,
• whether your dog chews or gulps,
• how your dog normally handles animal-based chews, and
• whether the remaining piece is becoming small enough to swallow whole.

For a smaller dog, finishing an entire large ear may simply be more food than you intended to give. For a larger dog, calorie impact may be easier to manage, but choking and gulping risks still need attention.

How Often Can Dogs Have Cow Ears?

Frequency should come from the dog’s overall routine, not from a universal rule such as “one ear every day” or “one ear every week.”

Start with three questions:

1. How many calories does my dog have available for treats?
2. How much of the cow ear does my dog actually consume?
3. What other treats and extras are being given that day?

A dog that receives frequent training rewards may need cow ears less often. A dog that gets a cow ear as the main treat event may have more room for it.

Many owners find it helpful to build a rotation rather than automatically giving the same edible chew every day. A routine might include:

• small rewards on training days,
• a cow ear on a planned supervised chew day,
• a different texture on another day, and
• lower-treat days when the dog has already received plenty of extras.

This keeps you focused on the whole week instead of looking at each treat in isolation.

Cow Ear Calories vs. Other Natural Chews

The best chew is not always the one with the fewest calories or the one that lasts the longest. The better choice is the one that fits the dog, the purpose, and the overall diet.

Compare the two ear chews in more detail in Cow Ears vs. Pig Ears for Dogs .

Looking specifically for a rawhide-free alternative? Read Cow Ears vs. Rawhide .

How to Give Cow Ears More Safely

Calorie control is only one part of responsible chew time. Cow ears are edible chews, and every dog has a different chewing style.

Dogs with a history of choking, digestive disease, pancreatitis, obesity, dental problems, food allergies, or medically restricted diets should follow guidance from their veterinarian before adding new edible chews.

For more practical supervision advice, read our guide on how to avoid choking hazards with dog chews .

The Simplest Way to Count Cow Ear Calories

You do not need to turn every chew session into a complicated nutrition project. Use this simple approach:

1. Check your dog’s appropriate daily calorie target.
2. Set aside a reasonable portion for all treats and extras.
3. Weigh the cow ear or portion when you need a closer estimate.
4. Multiply the portion weight in ounces by approximately 96.3 calories.
5. Remember to include training treats, toppers, table scraps, and other chews.
6. Adjust future portions if your dog is gaining weight or having digestive trouble.

The goal is not perfect calorie accounting down to the final crumb. The goal is to stop treating a substantial edible chew as though it does not count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Takeaway

Cow ears can be a useful natural chew for dogs that enjoy a satisfying crunch and supervised chew time. The key is remembering that they are still food.

Brutus & Barnaby Cow Ears provide approximately 96.3 calories per ounce, so the amount your dog consumes matters more than simply counting “one ear.”

Match the portion to your dog, count it with the rest of the day’s treats, supervise carefully, and use smaller formats when a full-size ear is more than your dog needs.