Choosing and Using No-Hides
A great chew comes down to two things: the right size and a little know-how. Here's everything you need to know.
The right No-Hide
makes all the difference.
Chewing is one of your dog's or cat's favorite ways to settle, stay busy, and feel content. And for you, it can be one of the simplest ways to give them a moment that feels genuinely good. It also deserves a little care.
The right No-Hide, sized well and supervised, is pure satisfaction. This page helps you choose the one that's right for your dog and get the most out of every chew.
Your Chew Checklist
Chews the right size
Always pick a chew larger than your dog's mouth.
Supervise, supervise, supervise.
Never leave your dog or cat alone with any chew. Ever.
Chews the Right Size
Golden Rule: Always choose a chew that's larger than your dog's mouth. This encourages proper gnawing rather than gulping and keeps chew time safe and satisfying for everyone.
When in doubt, size up: A larger chew means more time to enjoy it and a safer chew experience overall.
Safety Reminder: Size matters - and supervision counts! Puppies get their license to chew at 6 months.
Know Your Chewer
Every dog approaches chewing differently. Understanding your pup's style helps you choose the right products and supervise smarter.
The Inhaler
The chew disappears fast and you're not entirely sure what happened. These dogs eat first, chew later, which means format and size selection matter more than with any other style.
If this sounds like your dog:
- Best format: Rolls, always sized up significantly. Strips are too easy to break into swallowable pieces. Use a Westpaw Funnl to slow the session down.
- What to expect: a shorter chew session than the size suggests.
- One thing to know: No-Hide's digestibility is especially important for Inhalers. What goes down needs to break down. If your dog consistently finishes too fast, size up again, or consider whether chews are right for them at all.
The Destroyer
These dogs treat every chew as a challenge to be won. They'll work through a No-Hide methodically and powerfully, breaking it down as they go.
If this sounds like your dog:
- Best format: Rolls, in a larger size than you think they need. The structure of a Roll gives them something to work against.
- What to expect: pieces. That's fine. Unlike rawhide, No-Hide breaks down the way food should, so what they swallow isn't the concern it would be with a traditional chew.
- One thing to know: No-Hide was made for dogs like this. The slow-baked process creates a chew strong enough to satisfy, digestible enough to be safe.
The Nibbler
Patient, methodical, completely unbothered. These dogs treat a chew as a project and will return to it across multiple sessions if you let them.
If this sounds like your dog:
- Best format: any format works. Rolls offer the longest chew sessions and the best value for a dog who takes their time. Strips work well if you want something lighter for in-between moments, or if you'd rather avoid storing a partially chewed Roll between sessions.
- What to expect: excellent value. A single No-Hide can stretch across several sessions for a true Nibbler.
- One thing to know: store rolls safely between sessions. A clean, dry spot away from other pets.
Not sure which style your dog is?
Start with close supervision and watch how they approach their first No-Hide. You'll know within minutes.
How to supervise
Supervision means being present enough to step in if needed.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Stay in the same room while your dog chews | Leave your dog alone with any chew |
| Watch for small, torn-off, or unrolled pieces | Let them chew in another room while you're busy |
| Remove any loose pieces immediately | Assume "they'll be fine" becausethey've chewed before |
| Keep fresh water nearby | Give chews to gulpers without very close, constant supervision |
| Take the chew away when you leave the room | Get distracted and walk away while they're chewing |
The bottom line: If you can't supervise, remove the chew.
Any chew, treat, toy, even sticks and stones, can be a choking hazard. Your job is not to eliminate every risk, it’s to set your dog up for a safer, happier chew moment: choose the right size, supervise, and remove it when you can’t watch.
Vet's Note
Flat-Faced Breeds
Brachycephalic breeds (the medical term for flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and French Bulldogs) are some of the most popular dogs I see in my practice. They're also the ones who need extra attention when it comes to chews.
Why? Their shortened airways can make them more susceptible to choking, even though many of these breeds have incredibly strong jaws and absolutely love to chew.
My recommendations for flat-faced pups:
- Know your dog's chew style. Inhaler-Gulpers and flat faces are a risky combination.
- Size up. Choose a larger chew than you think they need.
- Supervise closely. I tell all my clients that every dog should be observed while chewing, but this is especially important for brachycephalic breeds.
- Remove chews when alone. No exceptions.
No-Hide is actually a great option for flat-faced dogs because it softens as your dog chews and is made from real, highly digestible ingredients. But remember: no chew is risk-free without proper supervision.
Forty-five years of refusing to settle.
Two founders. One conviction. A refusal to accept what this industry calls good enough. Dr. Bob Goldstein on the science. Susan Goldstein on the conscience.
So in 2015, Earth Animal made the chew that couldn't be found anywhere else. No-Hide: the first long-lasting chew built from real food ingredients instead of animal hides, informed by Dr. Bob's 45+ years of holistic veterinary expertise. Simple, whole ingredients, carefully and slowly baked. Nothing to look up, nothing to look past.
Family owned since 1979, still guided by the same belief that started it all: that the animals we love deserve far better than they're usually offered.
Your Questions, Answered
You ask and we answer! FAQs about No-Hide chews.