To Fur or Not to Fur?

That is the question

They might freak you out a little, and you’re not alone. Up until last year hairy chews gave me the heebie jeebies too. There isn’t much that freaks me out, but for the longest time whole prey items, heads and hairy chews were the three items I just couldn't get myself to use. I’m still a little weirded out by heads and whole prey, but I’ve conquered hairy chews and now they’re one of my favorite things to give to my pets!

Something I’ve come to understand is the more the product looks like it’s original state, the better and more beneficial it is for our pets.

For example, take these cow ears:

You probably picture the ears on the right when you think of cow ears for your dog. These ears and other chews with an off-white color and no hair have been processed much more than the hairy ears on the left. Off-white, hairless chews get their color from the chemical disinfecting process. So, if you haven’t quite worked up to hairy chews, at least search for the ones that aren’t so bright in color. Hairy and more naturally colored chews are still disinfected, but they’re not treated with chemicals. Typically, they go through a UV process and/or are dehydrated which kills off any bacteria. I would always recommend avoiding unnecessary chemicals whenever possible, even if they’re marked as “safe”.

The first hairy chew I ever gave my dog Holly was a hairy cow ear like the ones above. I was nervous, weirded out, and honestly, convinced that Holly wouldn’t be interested. I even filmed a video of her choosing between the hairy chew and the regular cow ears she's been eating her whole life. It’s an older video, so go easy on me when it comes to general quality, but if you watch it you’ll see Holly take a moment to actually choose between the two. As I’m sure you have already guessed, she chose the hairy cow ear and she loved it!

Since that day, I’ve made it a point to always choose items with hair when they’re available, and there's a few particular reasons why. Hairy chews come with a few benefits that are unique and hard to find elsewhere. 

Firstly,  they’re incredible for digestion. 

The hair or fur on the chews doesn’t fully break down in your pets stomach. So as everything moves through their digestive system, the hair helps to clean out any buildup or left over food residue like a brush. This build up, if left unattended can cause digestive upset and become a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. Excess build up can also make it harder for your pets to pull nutrients from their food. So, regularly feeding furry chews helps to ensure your pets are pulling all of the available nutrients from whatever is in their bowl. As the fur passes though, it also catches parasites or eggs that may be hiding in your pets digestive system, almost acting like a natural dewormer. The extra fiber from the hair can also help if your dog or cat is experiencing loose stool and can also aid in the anal gland department as well.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that hairy chews are also a fantastic natural toothbrush.

If you’ve been following us on social media, or keeping up with the blog, you’ll know that natural chews and raw meaty bones in general are the most effective form of dental cleaning, but hairy chews have an advantage - the hair! The fur literally acts like a toothbrush and floss at the same time as your pet munches away. It helps to remove surface plaque and the hairs work their way into the gaps between their teeth to “floss” as well. At this rate, my dog has a better flossing routine than I do, but don’t tell my dentist.

Lastly, hairy chews are one of the best natural sources of manganese.

I heard you, “what the heck is manganese?”

It’s an essential mineral that aids multiple systems and functions inside our pets body. Their bodies don’t produce manganese on their own, it has to be obtained through their diet. Unfortunately, the majority of commercially available diets of all kinds: raw, kibble, fresh food, wet food, etc… are typically lacking in manganese as well. There is a bit of manganese in items other than fur/hair like mussels, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach and various kinds of organ meat. However, hair along with wool and feathers has between 6 and 10 times as much manganese as the items I listed above. Manganese is especially important for puppies and kittens as it helps to promote healthy growth and development for bones, joints and cartilage. Along with helping in brain development and providing energy. 

Fur is also just generally interesting for cats and dogs.

It speaks to their natural instincts and is stimulating both mentally and physically. Holly is 65 lbs, so there is basically not a chew too big for her, but if you’re on the hunt for items that are more suited for small dogs or cats I’d search for things like rabbit feet, rabbit ears, whole prey quail and mice, lamb ears and furry hides that come in smaller portion sizes. Smaller dogs and cats might not be able to finish even smaller chews all in one sitting, but my cat Milkshake loves to gnaw on them over time. I just have to try to keep her sister from stealing them.

I’ll leave some of our favorite shops that have furry and hairy chews down below, but also check your local pet shops and even places like Etsy! I've found some really unique chews there, like kangaroo ears and pheasant wings. 

I’ve been talking for what feels like ten years, but hopefully I’ve gotten the point across. Hairy, furry, wooly and feathery chews might not be something you’ve ever considered feeding to your pets, but they’re so incredibly beneficial and I can almost promise your pets will love them.

Be sure to check out these small shops if you find yourself shopping online!

Lonestar Pet Treats: Use Code HOLLY5 for $5 off

Kairo & Willow Pet Treats: Use Code HOLLY10 to save 10%

Wulf Snacks: Use Code HOOGIE10 to save 10%