A dried dog treat called “beef trachea” is made from cows’ windpipes, the cartilage tubes that connect their mouths to their lungs. And it’s packed full of goodness….
You see, beef trachea naturally contains high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which have been shown to help treat canine arthritis (see case study).
One of the safest chews available is the trachea. Similar to beef skin, the dog chew turns into small slobbery bits, rather than jagged pieces with sharp edges and are 100% digestible
For dogs older than 16 weeks, beef tracheas are regarded as a great bone-free starter chew. Satisfyingly chewy and packed full of natural nutrients.
Best Beef Trachea Chews
Here are the 8 different beef trachea chews that our testing team loved in more detail.
Ingredients: Beef Trachea
Sourced from: USA
Calories: 137 calories/oz
| Crude Protein (Min.) | 62.3% min |
| Crude Fat (Min.) | 7.4% min |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) | 5.0% max |
| Moisture (Max.) | 11.7% |
| Ash (Max.) | 2.7% |
Top Dog Chews is evidence that an excellent American-made dog treat is difficult to beat.
Their beef trachea chews are made in the USA from free-range, grass-fed cattle and are devoid of any harmful substances typically present in beef products, such as hormones, steroids, antibiotics, and other chemicals.
These beef trachea chews come in two different lengths:
And they taste pretty good, at least according to our dogs!
We spread out a variety of brands of 6-inch beef trachea chews and let our dogs choose which one they preferred.
Six out of ten times, people chose the Top Dog Chews beef trachea chews first!
Want a smaller chew? Check out our next recommendation.
Ingredients: Beef Trachea
Size: Approx 3 inches
Sourced from: USA
We quickly learned that it was challenging to locate 3 inch trachea treats made in the USA because the majority of manufacturers only produce them in 6 or 12-inch lengths.
Fortunately, Sancho & Lola’s fill the gap. These beef trachea chews are as American as they come because they are made in Illinois from beef that was raised in Nebraska.
These beef trachea chews are the ideal size for smaller dogs (up to roughly corgi size), measuring 3 inches long.
Ingredients: Beef Trachea
Size: Approx 2 inches
Sourced from: Brazil
| Crude Protein (Min.) | 63.1% |
| Crude Fat (Min.) | 28.4% |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) | 24 hours (claims up to 20) |
| Moisture (Max.) | 7.9% |
These trachea chips are the treat you need because they are only 1-2 inches long, making them ideal for dogs who are watching their calories or who simply prefer a smaller treat.
Trachea chips are better suited for smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas or Pomeranians, because of their diminutive size.
Smaller pieces of trachea were preferred by dog owners who fed their pets throughout the day as snacks; larger trachea tubes must be consumed in one sitting.
However, I wouldn’t advise these for a larger dog as a hungry Bulldog or Husky could easily consume them in one bite.
Please note that trachea chips are not suitable for stuffing. The majority of chips are not hollow; they have been split down one side.
Ingredients: Smoked Beef Trachea
Size: 3, 6, 12 inches
Sourced from: USA
These American-made beef trachea chews are made in Illinois and have been smoked with hickory wood, which is naturally flavorful!
Sancho and Lola’s pride themselves on only using the highest quality beef trachea – the same beef trachea that is used in collagen supplements that humans use to treat arthritis.[1 ]
Although these trachea chews are of the highest quality and made in America, you should be aware that not all dogs enjoy chews with a smoked flavor. You might want to stick to plain beef trachea if your dog has previously rejected smoked-flavored treats.
Ingredients: Beef Trachea
Sourced from: Brazil
Calories: Approx 100 calories per 6 inch treat
| Crude Protein (Min.) | 63.1% min |
| Crude Fat (Min.) | 28.4% min |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) | 1.2% max |
| Moisture (Max.) | 7.9% |
Maybe your dog is addicted to trachea chews, or maybe you prefer to buy in bulk.
This value pack of 75 beef trachea chews is an excellent deal that is difficult to refuse. You can cut your costs to less than a dollar per chew by buying in bulk – what a deal!
This pack will last 2.5 months if you give your dog a beef trachea chew every day before you need to restock. Rotating your dog’s treats will only make them last longer!
Ingredients: Beef Trachea, Chicken Meal, Cane Sugar, Molasses, Rye Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Natural Prime Rib Beef Flavor, Buffered White Distilled Vinegar, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), and Rosemary Extract.
Made in: USA
Size: Approx 3 inches per piece.
Calories: 221 calories per piece
| Crude Protein (Min.) | 63.1% |
| Crude Fat (Min.) | 12.0% |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) | 2% |
| Moisture (Max.) | 20% |
When I noticed that beef trachea chews are hollow, my first thought was:
I wonder what I can stuff inside there?.
USA Bones had the exact same thought. They’ve added a tasty bully stick and beef-flavored stuffing to their beef trachea chews.
When your dog bites into his trachea treat, he will go bonkers. He won’t find a hollow center, but a succulent meat filling instead!
If you already have some good natural peanut butter on hand, you can fill regular trachea chew yourself for less money. These tasty treats are also available with a peanut butter-flavored filling.
Ingredients: Beef Trachea
Sourced from: New Zealand
Calories: 237 calories per 50 gram bag
| Crude Protein (Min.) | 49% min |
| Crude Fat (Min.) | 21% min |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) | 6% max |
| Moisture (Max.) | 5% |
Typically, beef trachea chews are dried and hardened in an oven. The drawback of baking is that some nutritional value is lost because heat depletes some nutrients.
Unlike most other brands of beef trachea treats, Nutreats Beef Trachea Treats are freeze-dried.
These bite-sized pieces of beef trachea processed at freezing temperatures keep almost as many nutrients as raw beef trachea!
Additionally, they are crunchy rather than chewy, so if you wanted, you could break these treats into smaller pieces with your fingers.
The only downside is the cost. Freeze-dried beef trachea is considerably more expensive than oven-baked.
But these are worth looking into if you’re looking for an alternative beef trachea treat for your dog!
Ingredients:Beef Trachea, Liver, Gelatin Capsules
Sourced from: New Zealand
Okay, I know this recommendation isn’t a dog treat.
But I wanted to mention it for those of you who are feeding your dog beef trachea as a source of glucosamine, collagen, and chondroitin, which support joint health.
If that describes you, you might find it more convenient to give your dog beef trachea capsules.
There are no additional additives in these gelatin capsules, which contain beef trachea and liver from New Zealand grass-fed cows.
Check out our tips for getting a dog to take a pill if your pet hates them. I found it simpler to open these capsules and sprinkle the powder over my dog’s food.
What is beef trachea?
The windpipe of cows, the cartilage tube that connects the mouth to the lungs, is used to make beef trachea, a baked meat dog treat.
And it’s packed full of goodness…
You see, trachea is naturally high in chondroitin and glucosamine, which have been shown to help treat arthritis in dogs.[1 ]
Some people refer to cow trachea as “trachea bones,” “moo-tubes,” or “windies”; these terms refer to the cow’s chewing-gum-producing beef trachea.
Due to its straightforward manufacturing process, beef trachea is a well-liked dog chew. Cut into small pieces, the cow’s windpipe is then heated to a high temperature where it is baked until it hardens into a chewy treat that your dog will adore.
Beef trachea is frequently prepared without the use of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives because they are so easily digestible!
Beef trachea chews typically comes three different sizes:
- 3 inches
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
Each piece of beef trachea is approximately 2 inches wide.
Smaller breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas are better suited for the smaller pieces.
I suggest selecting the 6 or 12-inch sizes if you have a medium or larger dog. A 3-inch piece of beef trachea can be swallowed whole by larger breeds like Labradors or German Shepherds, creating a choking hazard.
Unfortunately, cutting beef trachea without breaking it into pieces requires a particularly sharp pair of shears. It’s easiest to purchase the appropriate size of beef trachea if you want small pieces.
Pros and cons of beef trachea
Are you thinking about making beef trachea your go-to treat for dogs?
Given all the positive things they have going for them, I can’t say that I blame you.
But to avoid any unpleasant surprises, I’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages of beef trachea treats.
Teeth Cleaning – beef trachea, like all hard chews, have cleaning properties. As your dog chews, plaque is scraped off by the cows ear.[1]
Beef trachea are a low-fat substitute for other meat chews, such as pigs ears. Great if you are watching your dog’s calories.
When it comes to all-meat dog chews, beef trachea chews are an excellent value. Typically, beef trachea produced in the USA costs less than $2. 00. If you purchase in large quantities, the cost can be as low as $1 per chew.
Good for joints – beef trachea contain cartilage, a natural source of chondroitin, glucosamine and collagen. Chondroitin and glucosamine can help to support good joint health in dogs [1]
But like all dog treats, beef trachea chews have some disadvantages that you should be aware of.
Risk of choking when pieces become too small, particularly if your dog gulps down a beef trachea in one go.
Dog may reject – All dogs are different. Some dogs dislike the flavor or aroma of beef trachea. Although every tester who reviewed beef trachea said they were delicious, your experience may differ.
It is possible for beef fat to leave oil marks; notice the white rings that surround the trachea? Those are grease stains. Skip feeding trachea on the carpet, furniture, and other fabric surfaces to prevent stains.
How long does it take a dog to chew beef trachea?
How long will your dog be able to chew on a beef trachea chew?
To determine how long it would take each dog breed to consume a 6-inch piece of the beef trachea, we rounded up 11 different dog breeds.
- Cavapoo – 90 minutes
- Pomeranian – 55 minutes
- Pug – 23 minutes
- Dachshund – 18 minutes
- Beagle – 15 minutes
- Border Collie -10 minutes
- German Shepherd – 9 minutes
- Labrador – 8 minutes
- Rottweiler – 8 minutes
- Boxer – 6 minutes
- Great Dane
– 4 minutes
According to our tests, larger and more powerful dogs can destroy a beef trachea much more quickly than smaller breeds.
Antlers, cow hooves, or even bully sticks are harder chews that can withstand aggressive chewers better than the delicate, hollow tubes.
But compared to chews that are thinner, like pigs ears or chicken feet, beef trachea lasts unquestionably longer.
Beef Trachea Vs. Bully Sticks
Let’s compare beef trachea and bully sticks if you can’t decide between them.
Bully sticks are made from bull penis. When we polled dog owners, we learned that some of them refused to give their puppies bully sticks because they found the idea of their dog chewing penis repulsive.
Bully sticks are more dense than hollow beef trachea, making them more suitable for picky chewers. They are a longer-lasting chew.
However, beef trachea has a couple of advantages. First off, beef trachea has a milder odor than bully sticks and is less pungent.
Next, beef trachea is lower fat. Bully sticks may be replaced with beef trachea if your dog is on a low-fat diet.
Another benefit is that beef trachea is hollow. This allows you to fill the trachea with other treats.
I’ll freeze beef trachea that has been stuffed with canned dog food on a hot day. It’s like a chewy popsicle for my dog. He enjoys the taste and the fact that it keeps him cool in the heat!
Bully sticks are typically less expensive than beef trachea if price is the determining factor, especially when purchasing in bulk.
Is Beef Trachea safe for dogs?
None of us want to give our dog something harmful to eat as dog owners.
Numerous dog owners feed beef trachea to their puppies without incident. However, you should be aware that eating beef trachea chews carries some risks.
Like most chews, beef trachea poses a risk of choking, particularly if your dog is prone to inhaling treats whole and without chewing them first.
Same goes for when the treats get too small. Your dog might decide to gulp down the last piece, which could cause it to become stuck in the throat.
Due to this, beef trachea should only ever be consumed under close supervision.
Additionally, beef chews can cause diarrhea in dogs with sensitive stomachs, but they are generally digestible.
You know your dog best. You shouldn’t give your dog beef trachea if you have any doubts.
How do you store beef trachea?
Natural dog chew made from beef trachea has no preservatives. Because of this, proper storage is necessary to prevent rancidity in your beef trachea.
An airtight container is the best option for storage if your dog typically consumes his trachea chews within a week or two; keep the container in a cool, dry area of your pantry.
It’s acceptable to use the packet that your beef trachea came in as storage if the packet is resealable. Make sure you seal the package properly each time.
However, if you live somewhere hot and muggy, you should chill your chews. The chews may “sweat” and turn bad if you leave them out.
Beef trachea chews should be frozen if long-term storage is what you’re after—frozen trachea chews can last up to three years!
The only exception to this is if you have purchased freeze-dried beef trachea. As long as these are stored under 75˚F in an air-tight container, freeze-dried beef trachea can last up to 30 years.
How many beef trachea chews can your dog have each day?
While some dog owners feed their canines beef trachea on a daily basis, others only do so occasionally.
How often should you give your dog beef trachea?
A good guideline is that beef trachea should not take up more than 10% of your dogs daily calories.[2]
About 25 calories per inch and a half are present in beef trachea. Check the bag for the calories in your beef trachea because they can vary depending on how much fat is left on it and where it comes from.
You should consult your veterinarian for the most precise estimate of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
Beef trachea is not necessary for your dog’s diet, like all treats. Cows ears are a treat given in addition to your dog’s regular meals and should not be relied upon to give your dog the complete nutrition he or she requires.
If you’ve read this far, you should be aware of the best beef trachea chew for your dog.
A recap of our recommendations:
Tell me in the comments if you give your dog beef trachea and why or why not!
Beef Trachea, Kangaroo Lung, or Rabbit Sticks: WHICH WILL THE DOGS PREFER?
FAQ
Is beef trachea healthy for dogs?
This one-ingredient treat, which has a satisfying beef flavor in every bite, is both safe for your dog to eat and has only one ingredient. Beef trachea offers valuable health benefits. Glucosamine and chondroitin, two nutrients known to support dogs’ joints’ health and mobility, are abundant in cattle windpipes.
Is beef trachea like rawhide?
Trachea Dog Chews:: Our hotspot pets Beef Trachea %22Moo%22 tubes are 100% All Beef ,making them more digestible than traditional dog rawhide chews The soft tissue in your dog’s gut is also helped by our all-natural dog treats. Your dog can now take pleasure in a delicious
What is cow trachea made of?
The Trachea are excellent for maintaining healthy joints because they are made of chondroitin-rich cartilage.
How long can dogs have beef trachea?
This pack will last 2.5 months if you give your dog a beef trachea chew every day before you need to restock. Rotating your dog’s treats will only make them last longer!