What Are Collagen Sticks?

Collagen chews are quickly becoming one of the most popular rawhide and bully stick alternatives for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Like all chews, it’s important to know more about the product before deciding whether they’re right for your dog.

What Are Collagen Sticks Made From?

Like rawhide, collagen sticks are made from the skin of cattle. The difference between these two chews is which layers of skin are used to produce them.

Collagen sticks are made from the inner layer of skin, called the corium, which are rich in collagen. This layer is also a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which contributes to healthy skin and joints.

Additionally, collagen sticks are high in protein and naturally free from gluten, grains, and artificial ingredients. As a single ingredient chew, they are a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.

Collagen sticks are fairly high in calories though, so they should only be given in moderation to dogs on calorie restricted diets.

How Are Collagen Sticks Made?

Although rawhide gets a bad rap because of the harsh chemicals used in production, collagen sticks undergo a more natural production process. The process they undergo is similar to the production of cow ear chews.

After the layers of skin are separated, the innermost layer is then thoroughly cleaned using no chemicals, preservatives, or additives.

The resulting layer, the corium, is then cut into individual pieces. Collagen sticks are available in a range of sizes to suit different breeds of dogs. The pieces are then rolled to create the classic stick shape.

After the chews are trimmed to the appropriate size and rolled into shape, they are air dried in a temperature controlled environment.

The drying process is the most critical step of production as chews must be thoroughly dried to prevent decay and the buildup of harmful bacteria.

Benefits of Giving Your Dog Collagen Sticks

Collagen sticks have numerous health benefits. Not only are these chews good for your dog’s body, but his mind as well.

Ingredients

As previously mentioned, they are a single ingredient chew, so they are perfect for dogs with dietary restrictions or sensitivities. They do not contain any ingredients such as grains or artificial ingredients that could cause a reaction unless your dog is sensitive to beef.

As their name suggests, collagen sticks are an excellent source of collagen. Collagen helps promote healthy skin, a glossy coat, and strong nails. It also helps to strengthen connective tissue for improved joint health.

These ingredients are particularly beneficial for older dogs who may be suffering from age related aches and pains.

Collagen sticks are also considered a high protein, low fat chew. That means you can let your dog chew without worrying about his weight.

Dental Health

A buildup of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth can cause bad breath, tooth pain, and even tooth loss. Long term dental disease can even affect your dog’s vital organs, so it’s important to prioritize your dog’s dental health.

In addition to regular vet visits, chewing can be a great way to help keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy. This is especially true for busy pet parents that don’t have time to brush their dog’s teeth every day.

When your dog chews on a collagen stick, the action of his jaws against the chew helps to scrape off the plaque. The result is cleaner, healthier teeth and fresher breath.

Exercise and Entertainment

Chewing is a great way to exercise your dog’s mind and body. Long lasting chews such as collagen sticks will keep your dog busy for up to several hours, depending on how persistent he is.

A collagen stick can be a fun activity for an older dog with limited mobility or a puppy that tends to get into trouble when idle.

The exact amount of time it takes your dog to fully consume a collagen stick will depend on the size of the chew and your dog’s chewing style.

Collagen chews do typically last longer than bully sticks.

Although dogs should never be left unsupervised with a chew, a collagen stick is ideal for keeping your dog busy while you focus on work, family, or household chores.

Digestibility

Although collagen sticks are similar to rawhide, they are actually a more digestible option. This is because they are made from only the inner layer of the skin, rather than the tough outer layer.

Remember, highly digestible chews are less likely to cause intestinal blockages and irritation because they are broken down more quickly by the digestive system.

Once consumed, collagen sticks break down fairly quickly into collagen peptides and amino acids that help your dog’s body function properly.

Collagen sticks are not as digestible as other chews, such as bully sticks. However, if you’re worried about some of the risks associated with chews with low digestibility, collagen sticks may be a good choice.

Safety Tips

When giving your dog any type of chew, it’s important to prioritize your dog’s safety. Collagen sticks should not be given to your dog if you aren’t planning on supervising him. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so it’s important to be there to intervene if necessary.

Some dogs will be able to fully consume a collagen stick without worry, but others may attempt to gulp it down once it reaches a certain size. This can put the dog at risk for choking or developing an intestinal blockage.

If your dog is a gulper, it may be necessary to take the collagen chew away from him once it reaches a size that he may attempt to swallow.

To prevent your dog from attempting to swallow his chew whole, it’s also recommended to choose the correct size chew for your dog. For some dogs, bigger may be better.

Less tenacious chewers may take a while to fully consume their collagen chews. If your dog takes more than a few days to consume his collagen chew, it’s recommended to toss it in the trash and replace it with a new one.

After a few days of repeatedly being exposed to the moisture in your dog’s saliva, harmful bacteria may begin to grow on the chew.

Again, choosing the correct size collagen stick for your dog will help to ensure that he consumes his chew in a timely manner.