
Dog owners around the world are constantly seeking nutritious, long-lasting, and safe chews that satisfy their pets’ natural chewing instincts. For manufacturers, the opportunity is vast — yet the challenge lies in producing a diverse range of dog chew products that balance functionality, flavor, texture, and digestibility. Without understanding what kinds of dog chew products can be produced and how they differ in raw materials, processes, and equipment, businesses risk missing lucrative market segments or producing inconsistent quality. In this guide, we’ll explore the full spectrum of dog chew types that can be made through modern industrial production lines, explaining their manufacturing principles and applications in detail.
Dog chew production lines can produce a wide variety of products including rawhide chews, dental chews, starch-based chews, meat jerky strips, twisted sticks, bone-shaped chews, filled chews, freeze-dried chews, and functional chews enriched with supplements. Each type differs in composition, texture, processing technology, and market positioning — from long-lasting chews for dental cleaning to soft treats for puppies and senior dogs.
With a growing global pet population and premiumization of pet snacks, understanding these product types is crucial for anyone planning to invest in or expand a dog chew manufacturing business. Below we detail every category — their raw materials, production process, machinery configuration, and market applications — helping you plan your factory layout, product portfolio, and equipment investment strategy effectively.
All dog chew products are made from animal rawhide.False
Modern dog chew lines also produce plant-based, starch-based, and meat-based chews without using animal hides.
1. Rawhide Dog Chews
Rawhide chews are traditional and among the oldest forms of dog treats. They are made from the inner layer of cow or buffalo hide, cleaned, cut, rolled, and dried into various shapes.
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Main Material | Cow or buffalo hide |
Moisture Content | 8–12% |
Processing Steps | Soaking → Defleshing → Cutting → Rolling → Drying → Sterilization |
Common Shapes | Knotted bones, twisted sticks, rolls, chips |
Shelf Life | 12–24 months |
Equipment Needed | Rawhide cutting machine, rolling machine, drying oven, sterilizer |
Rawhide chews are favored for their durability and dental cleaning function. However, modern consumers are shifting toward safer and more digestible alternatives such as collagen-based and starch-based chews.
2. Collagen Dog Chews
A modern evolution of rawhide, collagen chews use collagen fibers extracted from animal hide or skin. The collagen is reconstituted and extruded into flexible yet strong textures.
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Main Ingredients | Collagen protein, glycerin, starch |
Production Technology | Extrusion and drying |
Advantages | Fully digestible, safer than rawhide |
Popular Forms | Braided sticks, pressed bones, dental rings |
Key Equipment | Twin-screw extruder, forming die, cutting machine, drying oven |
These chews maintain the chewability of rawhide while improving digestibility — ideal for sensitive dogs and premium markets.
3. Starch-Based Dog Chews
Starch-based chews are made from vegetable starches (corn, potato, tapioca) mixed with protein and flavor additives. Using twin-screw extrusion, the mixture is gelatinized and shaped into bones or sticks.
| Key Ingredient | Corn starch, wheat starch, potato starch |
| Process Flow | Mixing → Extrusion → Shaping → Drying → Cooling → Packaging |
| Main Advantage | Digestible, plant-based, customizable shapes/colors |
| Common Shapes | Bone, ring, stick, twist, dental form |
| Applications | Vegetarian dogs, sensitive digestion |
Starch chews represent a fast-growing market segment, especially in Europe and North America, where vegetarian and eco-friendly products are gaining traction.
4. Dental Dog Chews
Dental chews are functional products designed to mechanically clean teeth and reduce plaque. They combine starch, collagen, and sometimes calcium carbonate to achieve hardness and abrasive action.
| Function | Reduces tartar, strengthens gums |
| Structure | Multi-layer or grooved surfaces |
| Additives | Chlorophyll, mint, or enzymes |
| Equipment | Co-extruder (for dual color), mold shaper, drying line |
| Shape Options | Toothbrush, star stick, X-bone |
Dental chews clean teeth by chemical reaction.False
They clean mainly through mechanical abrasion and chewing action, not chemical processes.
5. Meat Jerky and Meat Stick Chews
These are high-protein chews made from fresh or dried meat. Depending on the formula, they can be extruded, formed, or dehydrated.
| Raw Materials | Chicken, beef, lamb, duck, fish |
| Protein Content | 50–85% |
| Processing | Grinding → Mixing → Extrusion → Drying → Cooling |
| Texture | Soft or semi-moist |
| Equipment Used | Meat grinder, mixer, co-extruder, continuous dryer |
Jerky chews are ideal for training rewards and high-value snacks. They can be single-protein or mixed-protein, targeting specific dietary niches.
6. Twisted and Braided Dog Chews
This segment focuses on appearance and chewing complexity. Two or more strands of meat or starch are twisted or braided before drying, creating unique patterns.
| Product Type | Double twist, triple braid, spiral |
| Key Process | Co-extrusion or manual twisting |
| Benefits | Longer chewing time, premium look |
| Market Trend | Used in gift packs and mixed assortments |
Manufacturers can produce multi-color chews using co-extrusion systems, enhancing visual appeal and brand differentiation.
7. Filled or Stuffed Dog Chews
These are innovative products featuring a soft core inside a hard shell, combining taste and function.
| Structure | Hard starch outer shell + soft filling (meat, cream, cheese) |
| Production Method | Co-extrusion twin-screw process |
| Advantages | Dual taste, high acceptance rate |
| Shapes | Tube, pillow, bone |
| Equipment Needed | Co-extrusion line, filling pump, cooling conveyor |
Filled chews are excellent for functional formulas such as joint support (glucosamine) or digestive health (probiotics).
8. Freeze-Dried Dog Chews
Premium chews made by freeze-drying real meat or bones retain natural nutrition and aroma.
| Material | Chicken breast, beef liver, duck neck |
| Moisture After Drying | <5% |
| Key Process | Frozen → Vacuum drying → Packaging |
| Advantages | Nutrient-rich, lightweight, high palatability |
| Target Market | High-end, natural, raw feeding segment |
These chews often command higher prices and serve as flagship products in premium portfolios.
9. Functional Dog Chews
Functional chews go beyond taste and texture — they add health benefits through active ingredients.
Functional Type | Additives | Health Benefit |
---|---|---|
Joint Care | Glucosamine, chondroitin | Support mobility |
Skin & Coat | Omega-3, biotin | Glossy coat |
Dental | Mint, chlorophyll | Fresh breath |
Calming | Chamomile, L-tryptophan | Stress relief |
Digestive | Probiotics, enzymes | Gut health |
These are typically made on extrusion lines with precise micro-dosing systems to ensure even distribution of supplements.
10. Edible Bones and Vegetarian Chews
A sustainable innovation, edible bones replace animal materials with plant proteins and starches.
| Main Ingredients | Pea protein, tapioca starch, vegetable oil |
| Texture | Firm yet chewable |
| Applications | Eco-friendly and allergen-free formulations |
| Market Direction | Vegan pet food trend |
Vegetarian dog chews lack nutritional value.False
Properly formulated vegetarian chews can provide balanced protein and essential nutrients through plant-based ingredients.
Technical Comparison of Dog Chew Types
Chew Type | Digestibility | Durability | Cost Level | Equipment Type | Market Segment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rawhide | Low–Medium | High | Low | Manual Line | Economy |
Collagen | High | Medium | Medium | Extrusion | Premium |
Starch | High | Medium | Medium | Extrusion | Mid-tier |
Dental | Medium–High | Medium | High | Co-extrusion | Functional |
Jerky | High | Low | High | Meat Extrusion | Treats |
Freeze-Dried | Very High | Low | Very High | Freeze Dryer | Luxury |
11. The Role of Extrusion in Dog Chew Production
Modern twin-screw extrusion technology enables flexible formulation, efficient cooking, and consistent product shapes. It allows production lines to switch between multiple chew types (e.g., dental → collagen → filled) with minimal downtime.
Advantages of Extrusion-Based Dog Chew Lines
- Precise temperature and shear control
- Full automation (PLC + touch screen)
- Customizable molds and dies
- Adaptable to different starch or collagen bases
- High output and energy efficiency
Typical Equipment Configuration
Machine | Function |
---|---|
Mixer | Pre-blends ingredients uniformly |
Screw Conveyor | Transfers material to extruder |
Twin-Screw Extruder | Gelatinizes and forms product |
Cooling Conveyor | Reduces surface temperature |
Cutter | Shapes into sticks or bones |
Dryer | Reduces moisture for shelf stability |
Flavor Coater | Adds surface flavor |
Packing Machine | Automates sealing and labeling |
12. Global Market Trends
- Premiumization: Consumers prefer functional and high-protein chews.
- Sustainability: Demand for plant-based, collagen, and cruelty-free products.
- Customization: Brands launch multi-shape, color, and flavor assortments.
- Automation: Smart extrusion lines with real-time temperature and torque control.
By diversifying your product range with Darin’s modular production systems, you can efficiently capture these growing segments.
Final Thoughts
Dog chew production today extends far beyond traditional rawhide — encompassing collagen, starch, meat, dental, and functional innovations. With the right extrusion technology and process control, manufacturers can create a full portfolio of chews suited to various breeds, age groups, and market positions.
✅ Contact Darin Machinery for Complete Dog Chew Production Solutions
Whether you plan to produce collagen chews, starch-based dental sticks, or filled functional bones, Darin Machinery offers turnkey solutions including formulation, process design, and complete line installation.
📞 Jinan Darin Machinery Co., Ltd.
🌐 www.petreatsmachine.com
✉️ Email: darin4@darin.cn
📱 WhatsApp: +86 156 5000 7983
Let’s build your next-generation Dog Chew Production Line — designed for flexibility, reliability, and profit.