Choosing the right chew size is one of the simplest ways to keep your dog safe while making sure they actually enjoy the chew. Too small, and it becomes a choking risk. Too large, and they may lose interest or struggle to grip it. Every dog’s size, chewing style, and age matter — not just the product itself.
Why Chew Size Matters More Than People Realize
Dogs don’t think about sizing. If a chew is too small, they will still try to swallow it whole. If it’s too big, they may push it around, get frustrated, or chew in a way that damages their teeth. Matching the chew to your dog’s mouth and chewing strength is the key to safe, satisfying chewing.
A Simple Way to Choose the Right Size
A good rule of thumb: the chew should be larger than your dog’s mouth when closed.
This prevents gulping and encourages slow, steady chewing. Here’s a quick guideline:
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Small dogs (under 20 lbs): go for thin, long chews or soft options like sweet potato sticks, softer jerky, or smaller cow ear pieces.
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Medium dogs (20–50 lbs): choose medium-thick chews like cow ears, standard bully sticks, or gullet sticks.
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Large dogs (50+ lbs): thicker, longer, and denser chews such as large bully sticks, beef cheek rolls, or full pig ears work better.
Always match chew density to chewing style — light chewers do well with soft items like sweet potato chews, while aggressive chewers need denser options like bully sticks or cheek rolls.
Chew Levels and Strengths
Chew levels simply describe how tough a chew is. Some dogs prefer “easy” chews, while others need more resistance.
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Soft chews: sweet potato fries, training treats, light jerky
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Medium chews: cow ears, gullet sticks, chicken jerky
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Hard chews: bully sticks, pig ears, beef cheek rolls
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Very hard chews: raw bones (not recommended for all dogs)
If your dog destroys toys or chews quickly, choose longer and thicker chews to slow them down.
Is Nylabone a Good Benchmark?
People often use Nylabone sizing to estimate what their dog needs, and it's a decent reference point.
What size Nylabone should my dog use?
As a general idea:
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Small dogs → small or petite
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Medium dogs → medium
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Large dogs → large or XL
The important part is choosing the right type of Nylabone:
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Dental chews are softer and meant for cleaning
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Edible chews are digestible but should still be size-appropriate
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Hard chew toys are only suitable for strong adult chewers
Are edible Nylabones OK for puppies?
Yes, if they are the puppy-specific versions and appropriately sized. Always check the age guidance on the pack — most puppy edibles are for dogs over 3 months and supervised only.
Nylabone for a 6-month-old puppy
At 6 months, most puppies are entering stronger chewing phases, so pick a size they cannot swallow but can hold comfortably.
What Reddit Owners Say About Chew Sizing
Discussions about chew size usually highlight the same points:
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Most choking incidents come from chews that were too small
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Aggressive chewers benefit from oversized chews
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Soft chews should always be sized up, because puppies can bite off pieces
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The safest chews are those that the dog can’t fit in their mouth sideways
Dog owners consistently recommend sizing up, especially with long-lasting chews.
Choosing the Right Size for Natural Chews
If you're buying natural chews like:
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cow ears
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pig ears
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bully sticks
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beef cheek rolls
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sweet potato sticks
Here’s a natural sizing guide:
Small dogs (under 20 lbs)
Choose:
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cow ear slivers
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6" thin bully sticks
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sweet potato sticks
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soft training treats
Avoid: oversized cheek rolls or large pig ears.
Medium dogs (20–50 lbs)
Choose:
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full cow ears
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6" standard bully sticks
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gullet sticks
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sweet potato chews
These offer enough resistance without overwhelming them.
Large dogs (50+ lbs)
Choose:
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12" bully sticks
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full pig ears
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beef cheek rolls
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thicker gullet strips
These last longer and match their bite strength.
When to Size Up for Safety
Always go bigger if:
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your dog swallows chews too quickly
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they have strong jaws
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they’re food-motivated and try to gulp
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they’re still growing (puppies benefit from sizing up)
Oversized chews slow them down and reduce choking risks.
Chew Size for Puppies
Young puppies need softer, more forgiving chews. Some good starter options include:
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sweet potato fries
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soft training treats
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thin sweet potato sticks
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gentle jerky made for dogs
Avoid harder items until their adult teeth come in.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right chew size is simple once you match it to your dog’s mouth, chewing strength, and age. When in doubt, always size up — a chew that’s too big is far safer than one that’s too small.