Dogs have a natural instinct to chew, and finding safe, healthy chews for them to enjoy is a top priority for owners. Beef cheek rolls are gaining popularity as a chew, often highlighted for their benefits! It's completely natural and a very sensible approach to ask questions and collect all the facts before giving your beloved pooch anything new.

This guide will help you determine if beef cheek rolls are a safe option for your dog and explain all the important information about these attractive treats dogs often love.

What Exactly Are Beef Cheek Rolls?

Beef cheek rolls are strong, enjoyable chews for dogs. They are made from the actual cheek of a cow, which is dried and then rolled up. You can usually find them in a couple of different sizes, so you can pick the one that's just right for your dog. 

A neat thing about these chews is that because the beef cheek is rolled, it slowly unrolls as your dog chews on it, making it more engaging and fun for them. 

One of the best features is that beef cheek is generally easy for dogs to digest. This means that as your dog happily chews away, they shouldn't have any trouble eating and digesting the pieces of the beef cheek rolls.

How Are Beef Cheek Rolls Different from Rawhides?

As their name suggests, beef cheek rolls should be made from the actual cheek meat of a cow. This cheek meat is naturally very tough because it contains a lot of collagen. For people to eat it, it needs to be cooked for a long time to become tender. But for a dog chew, that natural toughness is actually a good thing!

The key difference lies in their origin

Rawhides are typically made from the leftover hide pieces from the leather-making industry. Beef cheek rolls, on the other hand, are intended to be made from the cow's cheek meat itself. This generally means the cheek meat used for a beef cheek roll doesn't go through the harsh chemical treatments often used in leather processing.

A very important distinction isn't just about whether a chew contains hide or meat, but whether any hide present is a byproduct of the leather industry. The main worry with many traditional rawhides is the possibility of dogs consuming the chemicals used in leather production.

If beef cheek rolls are genuinely just cheek meat and don't include hide that has been processed for leather, they tend to be easier for dogs to digest than many rawhides. Also, some think that without that tougher, processed hide, beef cheek rolls might not last as long as a regular rawhide, but this is just an idea.

Are Beef Cheek Rolls Safe for Dogs?

Yes, beef cheek rolls are considered safe for dogs, as long as they are offered in moderation and you choose a size that matches your dog's chewing strength and habits. In fact, many experts in dog nutrition see them as a top natural alternative for rawhide chews because they are usually made from just one natural ingredient, making them a beneficial and digestible option for your dog to chew on.

Another plus is that the act of chewing on these tough beef cheek rolls can help clean your dog's teeth by scraping away tartar and plaque, which is good for their dental health.

It's always a good idea to watch your dog whenever they're enjoying any kind of chew, and a beef cheek roll chew is no exception. If you have any worries about your dog's health or their specific chewing habits, then, as we always suggest, talking with your veterinarian is the best way to get advice adapted specifically to your pooch.

And don't forget, balance is important. Beef cheek rolls are wonderful as an occasional treat, but shouldn't replace a complete and balanced diet for your dog.

What Size Beef Cheek Roll is Right for My Dog?

Picking the right size beef cheek roll is really important for your dog's safety. You'll want to choose one that fits your dog's breed and how they typically chew, which helps make sure it doesn't become a choking risk.

A helpful general guide is to select a beef cheek roll that's bigger than your dog's mouth. This makes it so they can't try to swallow the whole thing at once.

Knowing What You're Really Buying

The Best Beef Cheek Rolls

With all the confusing definitions, different information, and unclear labeling out there, it can be challenging for a caring dog owner to know if a beef cheek roll chew is safe and genuinely just cheek meat or perhaps a rawhide chew with a different name. Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of it isn't always simple and can mean doing a lot of research into each brand and their specific items.

For example, many hides are processed in China, so it's always smart to be aware of where your dog's chews are made. It's also a good idea to look for products that haven't been irradiated and to avoid those with preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors.

This is where choosing a brand you can trust, one that's open about its ingredients and processes, can make all the difference and save you a lot of guesswork. At Healthy Dogma, we want to give you that peace of mind. Our cheek roll chews are crafted with 100% natural ingredients, made from the inner cheek of cows. 

To suit different tastes, we offer them in three delicious options: beef, peanut butter, and natural. If your dog enjoys a different kind of texture, our Bully Dusted Beef Cheek Rolls are another fantastic choice. Each of these cheek rolls is typically between 5 to 7 inches long, providing your dog with a sizable and satisfying chew that will keep them happily busy.

Discover Healthy Dogma’s Beef Cheek Rolls