Dogs chew as part of their feeding, self-care, and social interactions, yet the full significance of this behavior has often been overlooked. In their comprehensive review, Quinn et al. (2025) examined chewing through both evolutionary and welfare frameworks, including Tinbergen’s Four Questions and the Five Domains Model.
The study emphasizes that chewing contributes to oral hygiene, digestive efficiency, bone strength, and psychological well-being. Chewing can help reduce stress and provide mental enrichment, positioning it as an essential daily behavior for dogs. Importantly, chewing develops across a dog’s lifespan, from teething puppies to senior dogs, with different needs and risks at each stage.
Chewing preferences are shaped by odour, taste, mouthfeel, and sometimes by the macronutrient composition of food. When dogs lack access to suitable chew items, they may redirect the behavior toward inappropriate objects, potentially causing dental fractures, gastrointestinal issues, or frustration that impacts welfare.
Veterinary caution about hard chews like bones is well-founded, as they can lead to injury. However, the review suggests that with thoughtful management and access to safe, appropriate chew items, dogs can gain the full health and welfare benefits of this natural behavior. Balancing these benefits and risks is key to promoting lifelong canine well-being.
Source: Quinn, R., Masters, S., Starling, M., White, P. J., Mills, K., Raubenheimer, D., & McGreevy, P. (2025). Functional significance and welfare implications of chewing in dogs (Canis familiaris). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12. Published March 26, 2025.
