Let’s Talk Tracheas

I know, I know they’re literally tracheas and that’s probably not something you’ve thought about your dog eating, but hear me out. They might be a little off putting for you, but your dog will love them and they are so healthy! If you’re a pet parent who gives “high value” treats, joint care chews, dental cleaning treats or you like to fill up things like Kongs and Toppls to keep your dog busy, you’ll want to read this.

Tracheas are an all-in-one stop for all of the treats, chews and enrichment that I mentioned above AND they’re 100% digestible, biologically appropriate and help to cut down on waste. Some of you might not be as weary of things like tracheas because you’re already using ears, snouts, feet, and more. So, these just fit right into what you’ve already got going. If you’re not one of those people, don’t worry, I promise they’re not as bad as you might think. Really, none of the natural chews I listed are.

Of course, if you can find a fresh, raw version of anything that’s the best way to do it, but the majority of the time you’ll end up with a dehydrated version. That’s not a bad thing, and if you’re a little squeamish about items like this, it’s probably better you start with the dehydrated versions of things like this anyway. The dehydration process removes all the moisture from the product, leaving you with a not technically raw, but extremely lightly cooked and shelf stable product that won’t go bad as quickly that doesn't need to be refrigerated. This typically makes things like tracheas easier to handle since they’re not wet, cold or bloody. They’ll still have a smell and they might leave a film on your hands, but a paper towel, gloves or using tongs easily avoids you having to touch the items directly, if that’s something you’re worried about.

Now that we’ve got the ick factor out of the way, let’s talk about why they deserved an entire deep dive post.

They’re…

a natural toothbrush. Teeth cleaning is a whole topic all on its own that we will probably get into in a different post, but for now just remember that kibble isn’t the answer. Natural chews like tracheas help to clean your dog’s teeth without the downsides of starchy and carb heavy “dental” products. The physical act of your dog chewing and gnawing on the item helps to “brush” their teeth by scraping the plaque away. There is also evidence that the act of chewing helps to lower bacteria levels in their mouth, helping to improve breath as well.

good for their hips and joints. Tracheas are full of glucosamine and chondroitin which not only offer pain management for conditions like arthritis, but can help to prevent other painful issues as your dog gets older. Holly started showing signs of joint pain and arthritis at 4, which is pretty young. Luckily, with the improvements we’ve made in her diet and the addition of natural chews, supportive supplements and just losing a little weight, she’s healthier now at 11 than she was back then.

a great low calorie, high value reward. The average 6 inch trachea is around 88 calories and is lower in fat than other comparable chews. For reference, pigs ears range from 180-220 calories and a chicken foot is about 75 calories, but it’s a smaller snack with less versatility. Don’t get me wrong, we love and use a variety of chews and I definitely recommend trying a bunch, but tracheas just check so many boxes and getting more chew for less fat and less calories is always a win!

the perfect enrichment item. My favorite thing to do with tracheas is to use them as an alternative to a bowl during meal time. Usually to create a mentally enriching meal time in the form of “stuffing” something, you’d grab a Kong or a Toppl, which are great, but they’re obviously not edible. Next time you reach for one of those, think about trying a trachea instead! They work great, freeze well and they provide a fun version of a stuffed enrichment meal for your pup that doesn’t leave you with something to clean afterwards.

All-in-all like I said before, we love a bunch of different chews. Ears, necks, feet, fish skins, bully sticks and tons of others that are amazing additions to your dog's diet and tons of versions that are amazing for cats as well! However, one of our favorites based on so many factors are certainly tracheas. So, if you’re looking around at a pet store, or shopping around online I would always suggest throwing a trachea or two in your cart, you won’t regret it.

Be sure to check out these shops if you’re planning to go shopping for chews 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%