A beef trachea is exactly what it sounds like, and for those who are a little squeamish, it may feel like a step too far, but our dogs simply love them!
Natural chews and treats are becoming increasingly popular as dog owners start to learn not only the positives of choosing natural, single-source protein treats and chews for their dogs, but also the negatives of choosing cereal-based, meat-derived supermarket treats.
But as this new world of real animal chews emerges, so does the question: “Are they actually safe for my dog?”
In this article, we will be discussing beef tracheas, what they are and whether they are genuinely safe and healthy for your dog. Of course, all dogs are different, and in this article we will also discuss whether a beef trachea is the right natural chew for your dog, depending on their breed, size, age, health, and chewing ability.
What Is a Beef Trachea?
A beef trachea is a cow’s windpipe and is made from 100% beef cartilage. We source all our natural dog treats and chews from animals raised in the UK and Ireland.
Our beef tracheas are naturally air-dried over a long period of time. The process removes a large amount of moisture and leaves a chewy, crunchy dog chew with a longer shelf life, while preserving the natural qualities of the beef without any chemicals or preservatives.
Compared with rawhide, which has recently caused much concern in the dog world, beef tracheas are natural, nutritionally rich, and easily digestible. Most importantly, our beef tracheas are air-dried without any nasty chemicals, preservatives, or additives.
Beef tracheas are 100% beef, no cereals, no additives, no chemicals… absolutely nothing fake. Single-ingredient chews like this can put your mind at ease, as you know exactly what you’re letting your dog eat.
Can Dogs Eat Beef Trachea?
Now, for us humans, the thought of chomping down on a cow’s windpipe might be the stuff of nightmares, but for a lot of our dogs it’s a dream! It does bring up the question… should my dog actually be eating this?
Beef tracheas are a suitable chew for dogs aged 6 months and older. Like any chew, your dog should always be supervised whilst chewing, but overall, beef tracheas are a safe and tasty choice.
It is important when deciding if a beef trachea is the right chew for your dog that you take a few things into consideration. First of all, consider your dog’s breed and size. We stock two types of beef tracheas: our long beef trachea and our beef trachea pieces. Our long beef tracheas are more suited to medium to larger breeds and more experienced chewers, whereas our beef trachea pieces are better suited to smaller breeds and dogs being introduced to natural chews.
Another thing to consider is your dog’s dental health. Beef tracheas are a relatively tough chew, which is why they’re a great option for powerful chewers. However, for older dogs or dogs with damaged or sensitive teeth, something softer like our hairy rabbit ears or products from our gourmet range may be more suitable.
And finally, if you are introducing your dog to natural chews, it is important to take it slow. Beef tracheas are highly digestible for dogs, meaning they are much safer to eat without the huge risk of blockage associated with “rawhide”. They are also 100% natural, completely grain-free and made of 100% beef cartilage. That being said, when introducing any dog to a new food, treat or chew, it’s important to monitor your dog to ensure it doesn’t cause any stomach upset due to sensitivities, which is why we recommend giving in small sessions when starting out.
What Are the Benefits of Beef Tracheas for Dogs?
Beef tracheas are absolutely loaded with natural benefits for your dog’s health and wellbeing.
They are a natural, single-protein chew. Many owners are now making the switch to natural single-protein treats and chews for many different reasons.
There are many supermarket-brand treats and chews that are packed full of cereals, grains, meat derivatives, chemicals and preservatives that are generally not beneficial to our dog’s health.
Beef trachea is made solely from air-dried beef cartilage and therefore makes it easier for owners to make an informed decision about exactly what their dog is eating.
Beef tracheas are full of health benefits. They are naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are important components of cartilage and connective tissue. These are both complex amino sugar compounds that the body produces naturally and are also found in chews like beef tracheas. They play an important role in the lubrication of joints and maintenance of healthy cartilage.
Beef tracheas, along with most of our natural dog chews, are amazing at supporting dental health! The ridged shape and fibrous cartilage help to scrape away plaque and tartar build-up as your dog chews.
Beef tracheas are also highly digestible. This means that they are broken down easily in your dog’s lower digestive tract, reducing the risk of intestinal blockage compared with chews made from rawhide.
Aside from all the health benefits, which, let’s be honest, we care about more than our dogs do, beef tracheas are also a yummy form of enrichment and mental stimulation for our dogs. Dogs have an innate instinct to chew, and a beef trachea is a perfect, long-lasting option.
Whether you’ve got a dog that won’t settle after a walk, a dog that is desperate to chews things they shouldn’t like furniture or shoes, or a dog that doesn’t seem to get tired no matter how many walks you do, natural chews may be the missing piece of the puzzle. Dogs can decompress with a relaxing beef trachea chew session and settle down feeling mentally fulfilled.
Are Beef Tracheas Good for Dogs’ Teeth?
We all worry about our dog’s teeth, and there is so much information out there when you search “how to look after my dog’s teeth.” From manual teeth brushing to ultrasonic teeth cleaning, it can be hard to know how to even keep them clean in the first place.
For us, our first stop is always: what is your dog eating? Natural chews are a great choice if you’re looking for a way to support and maintain your dog’s dental health. We advocate for the use of natural chews as a way to keep your dog’s mouth healthy from the source.
Whilst natural chews cannot replace vet treatment or professional cleaning for long-term tooth damage or an extreme build-up of plaque or tartar, they can help make sure that your dog’s daily routine includes a teeth-cleaning session that is easy and enjoyable for them.
Beef tracheas are a great choice for this. The ridged shape and fibrous cartilage give your dog’s teeth a really good scrape whilst they chew, which helps to remove surface plaque and tartar.
How Often Can Dogs Have Beef Trachea?
There isn’t one “correct” answer for how often dogs can have a beef trachea. Personally, we would be comfortable giving Archie one every other day. However, what applies to our 42kg active Dobermann may not apply to a smaller dog, a less active dog or a dog with a sensitive tummy.
Vets recommend that treats and chews should make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. A beef trachea contains approximately 405kcal/100g, and the average weight of a long beef trachea is approximately 85g. That means one long beef trachea is around 344 calories. If you are unsure of how many calories your dog needs in a day, our dog calorie calculator can help you get a better idea.
Whilst there isn’t a set answer on how often a dog can have a beef trachea chew, it is important to take into consideration the needs, breed and lifestyle of the dog in front of you. For example, smaller, less active or overweight dogs should have beef tracheas less frequently than, say, large, very active or lean dogs.
Can Puppies Have Beef Trachea Chews?
We don’t recommend giving beef trachea chews to puppies less than 6 months old. While beef tracheas aren’t the toughest of chews we stock, they are still very chewy and can be too tough for puppy teeth. However, for pups over 6 months, they are a great and enriching choice!
We stock both long beef tracheas and beef trachea pieces, so they are available in suitable sizes for both our smaller pups and our bigger ones.
Puppies tend to have more sensitive tummies, so we always recommend shorter, supervised chewing sessions when trying out any new natural chew.
Are Beef Tracheas Good for Powerful Chewers?
If you have a dog who is a powerful chewer, I’m sure you know very well how hard it is to find any substantial chew that lasts your dog more than 5 minutes.
Whilst no chew is indestructible, there are definitely some options we would recommend for our more powerful chewers, beef trachea being one of them. The texture of a beef trachea is pretty tough, chewy and crunchy, which will give even a strong mouth a decently good chewing session.
Something to watch out for if you have a powerful chewer is that they are taking the time to chew rather than gulping down large pieces. Whilst all of our natural chews are highly and easily digestible, swallowing large pieces can pose a choking risk, so we always advise supervising your dog whilst they’re having any chew.
If your dog is a powerful chewer, we have a full range of long lasting chews that we recommend. If you’re looking for the toughest chews, check out our Power Chew Bundle for the ultimate collection of long lasting chews.
How to Give Your Dog a Beef Trachea Safely
As dog owners, there’s nothing better than giving your excited pup something delicious, but it’s also very important that we are as informed as possible to make it not only yummy and exciting, but safe.
It’s always important to pick a size of chew that is suitable for your dog. Chews should always be bigger than your dog’s mouth. Our long beef tracheas are suitable for most medium dogs and larger, whereas our beef trachea pieces are more suitable for smaller dogs.
Dogs should always be supervised when eating any chew to ensure they are chewing properly and not gulping down large pieces.
We always recommend removing chews from dogs when they become very small to ensure they don’t swallow a piece whole.
Our beef tracheas, along with all of our natural chews, are air-dried and therefore shelf-stable. They should be kept in a cool, dry place. If your dog is ready for a break from their chew, feel free to put it back in the packet and reseal it to come back to it another time.
Frequently Asked Questions
For some dogs, eating a beef trachea every day is absolutely fine. However, it truly depends on the dog in front of you. Young dogs, smaller dogs, less active dogs or overweight dogs should eat beef trachea less frequently. However, for a healthy, active dog, a beef trachea every day is perfectly reasonable as long as it is only making up about 10% of their daily calorie intake.
We recommend beef tracheas for dogs aged 6 months and over. We don’t recommend them for dogs younger than 6 months, as beef tracheas can be too tough for soft puppy teeth.
Beef tracheas are an excellent choice for maintaining your dog’s dental health. The ridged shape and fibrous texture do a great job of scraping away plaque and tartar as your dog chews.
This question is very dependent on the dog in front of you. For very powerful chewers, like Archie, they can last up to 30 minutes. However, for more relaxed chewers, beef trachea is a chew that can last for multiple chew sessions.
Beef tracheas are moderate to high in fat, so they are a richer chew. Some dogs, especially those with more sensitive tummies, may experience stomach upset. We always recommend short chewing sessions when starting out with a new natural chew to ensure it is suitable for your dog.
Beef tracheas are a great option for large dogs. They are quite a tough chew, so they’re good for strong jaws. We always recommend choosing a dog chew that is bigger than your dog’s mouth to minimise the risk of choking.
For smaller dogs, our beef trachea pieces are a great choice. Whilst a full long beef trachea would also be suitable, the size can be a little overwhelming for them. As a general rule, as long as the chew is bigger than your dog’s mouth, it’s usually a suitable size.
Final Thoughts
Beef tracheas are a great choice for many dogs. They are great for at home enrichment activities, they are a positive and heathy chew for your dog to focus on and they help support your dog’s dental care routine.
Once you get past the fact that it’s a cows windpipe, what’s not to love!
If you think your dog would enjoy giving one a go, take a look at our Long Beef Trachea Dog Chews or our Beef Trachea Pieces and choose the size that suits them best.
Cloud K9 was created for dog owners who want the best for their dogs. If it’s not natural or good for your dog, it’s not Cloud K9. Our chews and treats are made from real ingredients, naturally prepared, and never packed out with fillers or additives.
Whether you’re looking for something tasty to use for training sessions, a long lasting chew to keep them busy, or support with dental care, take a look at our natural treats and chews chosen to help dogs live their best.
