Become a chew expert

Small Dogs

Practical, honest guides on natural chews — sizing, safety, and what actually keeps dogs busy.

Simplified illustration of a smaller retained baby canine beside a broader adult canine.

Retained Puppy Teeth in Small Breeds: What to Check at Six Months

A baby tooth still sitting beside its adult replacement at six months needs a vet, not another chew. Roughly one extra-small dog in seven has one.

Aug 27, 2026 7 min read

Overhead practice trade: a dog turns toward reward pieces while an adult retrieves the full bully stick it has left on a mat.

The Stub Rule: Exactly When to Take a Bully Stick Away

Remove a long-stick chew at three inches remaining, or sooner if it could fit entirely inside the mouth. Trade for a small reward; a holder does not change the rule.

Aug 27, 2026 5 min read

Tiny terrier on its owner's lap sniffing a small soft toothbrush near its closed muzzle.

Small Dogs and Dental Disease: What That Means for Chew Choice

Extra-small breeds get periodontal disease up to five times more often than giant breeds. What that changes about chew choice, and what it doesn't.

Aug 27, 2026 7 min read

An owner observes an adult dog's body shape from above on a dark non-slip floor.

Are Bully Sticks Fattening? Running the Numbers on One Chew a Day

A 6-inch stick a day is about 9% of a 50-pound dog's daily calories and 30% of a 10-pound dog's. The arithmetic by weight, and what to give instead.

Aug 27, 2026 7 min read

A handler prepares one short bully chew after packing up a training session.

Short Chew Pieces: What They Are For and Who Should Skip Them

Bully stick bites are short pieces of the same dried beef as a full stick, cut for a reward, not a session. Who they suit and who should skip them.

Aug 27, 2026 7 min read

A lightly chewing adult dog works a thin bully stick while an owner watches nearby.

When a Chew Should Finish Quickly: Sizing for a Light Chewer

A thin bully stick is the same beef pizzle cut narrow, so a light chewer finishes a session instead of leaving half a stick behind. Who it suits.

Aug 27, 2026 6 min read

A small adult dachshund turning toward a kibble reward while its owner holds the bully stick away.

Bully Sticks for Small Dogs: Safe Sizing Under 25 Pounds

Under 25 lb, start with a 4-inch bully stick. Remove a long stick at three inches, or sooner if it could fit wholly inside the mouth. Supervise every session.

Aug 27, 2026 7 min read

Bully Stick Size Guide: Right Length for Every Dog

4-inch sticks, bite-size pieces, up to 12-inch jumbos — match bully stick length and thickness to your dog's weight and chew style with our size chart.

Jul 9, 2026 5 min read

Overhead view of an adult closely supervising a puppy as they prepare for a short chew session.

Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies? A Practical Guide

Yes — with the right size and supervision. When puppies can start bully sticks, how long they should chew, and which stick to pick first.

Jul 9, 2026 6 min read