Chews and treats are valuable tools for dog enrichment.
Most dogs love to chew and will find something to nom-nom-nom whether you provide them with something safe and constructive to enjoy or not.
So, unless you want your shoes or furniture marred with teeth marks, it is essential to provide your dog with something designated for him to chew on.
There are quite a few options when it comes to chews, but many can present serious safety concerns. Luckily, pig snouts are reasonably safe and well-liked by most dogs.
We’ll explain everything you need to know about pig snouts for dogs below and identify a few of our favorites. Read on to learn more!
Quick Picks: Best Pig Snouts for Dogs
- #1 Pawstruck Pig Snouts [Best Overall] — These affordable, tasty, and all-natural pig snouts are a great option for nearly any canine.
- #2 Flourish Pets Freeze Dried Raw Pig Snouts [Best Freeze-Dried Option] — Freeze-dried treats are sometimes easier on dog’s stomachs than smoked varieties. So, if your pooch has a sensitive stomach, these are the best option.
- #3 Holsome Valley Pork Snouts [Best Smoked Option] — These smoky-flavored snouts are irresistible for some doggos.
What Are Pig Snouts for Dogs
Pig snouts are literally just what they sound like — dried snouts from pigs. While people rarely enjoy pig snouts very much (although they are common menu items in some cuisines), they are actually quite nutritious.
Over 79% of a pig snout is protein, which is a main macronutrient your dog needs in his diet. Most of that protein comes from collagen — a protein that is found in connective tissue and cartilage.
This protein is very important for our dog’s health, as it helps them build muscle and connective tissue, and it may also help stave off some joint problems. And while snouts do have some fat in them (which isn’t a bad thing — dogs need some fat), they have a pretty nutritious protein to fat ratio of 3.6 to 1.
Other natural chews that offer benefits similar to pig snouts include cow ears and lamb ears along with cow hooves and antlers, with these being much harder and more at-risk for fracturing teeth than pig snouts.
Pig snouts are also rich in iron, which is an essential building block for our dog’s health.
These snouts are not as chewy as some of the other canine chews and treats on the market. They don’t last as long as bully sticks or some other edible dog chews, meaning that they are more suitable as treats than long-term chews.
The vast majority of these chews are roasted, but some are freeze-dried. You can also find some smoked versions available. We really don’t think your dog will notice much of a difference, so you can probably just pick the option that seems most appropriate to you.
That said, some dogs seem to suffer from stomach upset after eating smoked treats, so freeze-dried or roasted options may be the best bet for dogs with temperamental tummies.
It is important for us to point out that some of these chews can be greasy. Your dog obviously won’t mind this (on the contrary, that grease is part of what makes them so tasty). However, these greases can stain fabric, so you should be careful of where you give your canine pig snouts to chew.
Note that some pig snouts are bleached — just like many rawhides are. But you’ll want to avoid these, as well as any other pig snouts that have been subjected to unnecessary processing.
Best Pig Snouts for Dogs
Here are some of our favorite pig snouts for dogs. Honestly, there aren’t many huge differences between the various options on the market, but the ones discussed below are certainly the cream of the crop!
1. Pawstruck Pig Snouts
About: Pawstruck Pig Snouts are made out of nothing but 100% tasty pig snout. They contain no artificial colors, fillers, or chemicals, and they are baked, making them a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
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Pawstruck Pig Snouts
These US-made treats are baked, made without artificial additives, and backed by the manufacturer’s satisfaction guarantee.
Features:
- Completely natural
- Made in the USA
- Great for your dog’s teeth
- Bulk size options available
PROS
These pig snouts earned rave reviews from canines and owners alike. Dogs seemed to love gnawing on these tasty treats and rarely experienced stomach issues afterward. Owners loved that these chews are made in the USA and can be ordered in bulk to save a bit of cash.
CONS
These chews are somewhat smaller than other options, so they may not be ideal for super-sized four-footers. On the other hand, a few owners noted that they’re hard to cut in half, so they may not be ideal for pint-sized pooches either.
The Pawstruck team sent me and Remy some pig snouts to try out, and Remy was a big fan! The pig snouts were large, crunchy treats that worked fantastically for keeping Remy calm and occupied while company was over.
2. Flourish Pets Freeze-Dried Raw Pig Snouts
About: Flourish Pets Pig Snouts are freeze-dried, unlike other pig snouts that are baked or smoked. In addition to being raw, they only contain one ingredient — pig snout — so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary additives.
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Flourish Pets Pig Snouts
These tasty freeze-dried treats are sourced from and made in the USA by a family-owned company, under strict quality- and safety-control standards.
Features:
- No hormones added
- Single-ingredient treats
- Made by a family-owned company in the USA
- Freeze-dried
The manufacturer characterizes these chews as “hormone-neutral,” which we imagine is just their way of saying no hormones were provided to the pigs.
PROS
Most owners reported that their dogs loved these treats quite a bit. We love that they’re all-natural, freeze-dried, and made in the USA. We also like that they’re made by a family-operated company.
CONS
There were some customer reviews complaining about the price of these snouts, so these aren’t ideal for bargain hunters. However, you can order them in bulk to bring the cost-per-snout down a bit.
3. Holsome Valley Pork Snouts
About: Holsome Valley Pork Snouts are 100% sourced and made in the USA, and they contain no additives or preservatives. Instead, they are roasted for 2 to 3 days and then lightly smoked, to pack ’em full of flavor.
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Holsome Valley Pork Snouts
These high-quality, smoked pork snouts that are made from only USDA-inspected pigs and prepared in the USA.
Features:
- 100% sourced and made in the USA
- All-natural
- Not bleached during processing
- Made without added salt or sugar
PROS
Many customers reported that their dogs loved these pig snouts. We like that they’re sourced from and made in the USA, and that they are quite a bit more affordable than most other pig snouts as well.
CONS
A few dogs experienced tummy troubles after eating this treats, and the strong smoky flavor wasn’t a hit with all four-footers. Additionally, they’re a bit big for really small dogs, so consider your dog’s size before ordering these.
4. Redbarn Natural Pig Snout
About: For a highly palatable treat, Redbarn Natural Pig Snouts are a great choice. They’re made without additives, and the company has full control of the sourcing, which increases the chance that they are safe for canine consumption.
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Redbarn Natural Pig Snouts
These all-natural pig treats are made in very small batches for maximum quality and tested extensively for safety.
Features:
- Hand-selected ingredients
- Oven-roasted
- All-natural
- 800+ quality control tests a week
PROS
Many owners reported that their canine loved the flavor and “chew” provided by these snouts. We simply love the manufacturer’s dedication to safety and quality-control. These treats are quite large, but small dogs seemed to handle them without a problem.
CONS
These treats make a big mess according to many of the reviews, but that’s not a huge problem. The “flavor” may also wear off in a shorter period of time than other treats, as many customers reported that their dogs become uninterested in the snouts after a time.
5. Sawmill Creek Smokehouse Pig Snout
About: Sawmill Creek Smokehouse Pig Snouts come in packs of 25 — far more than most of the competition. They are sourced and made in the USA, and the company also offers a guarantee on all of their products.
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Sawmill Creek Smokehouse Pig Snouts
Smoked for flavor and packaged in quantities of 25, these snouts offer a great value for parents of snout-loving pooches.
Features:
- 25 per pack
- Great for cleaning teeth
- No preservatives, byproducts, fillers, grains, or additives
- Made in the USA
Note that these treats are a bit smaller than most other options, making them a good choice for smaller dogs in particular.
PROS
Almost all owners reported that their dogs thoroughly enjoyed these treats. They are not puffed, so dogs will have an easier time eating them than other options. They also provide great value, given the quantity-to-price ratio.
CONS
Not all dogs enjoyed the flavor of these treats. They are smoked, and that is just a no-go for some canines. They are a bit smaller as well, but you do get more in each pack.
Are Pig Snouts Safe for Dogs?
Pig snouts treats are relatively safe treats and are likely safer than many other chews that you could provide your dog — simply because many of them are completely natural, and they are not over-processed like some rawhides, for example.
Your dog is also less likely to break his teeth on these chews since they aren’t nearly as hard as antlers, hooves, and other chew options. Most dogs can eat through pig snouts without any problem.
Bacterial contamination is not much of a concern since these treats are often preserved through smoking or roasting. However, you’ll still want to wash your hands after handling them and refrain from leaving the treats laying around for too long if your dog doesn’t finish them in one sitting.
That being said, no treats are going to be 100% safe. There is some innate risk in anything you give your dog to chew.
You should always monitor your dog when he is eating pig snouts, especially if it is his first time.
Some dogs may try to gulp them down too fast, which can cause choking. Also, make sure you match your dog’s treat with his size. Bigger dogs need bigger treats.
Pig snouts — especially smoked varieties — can also cause an upset stomach and gastrointestinal issues for some dogs. This isn’t generally a huge problem, but proceed with caution if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
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Pig snouts are a suitable choice for many dogs, especially those who love to chew. They’re a great mix between a bone and a treat, making them very versatile. You can use them to provide your dog with a yummy chew or during training.
Does your dog like pig snouts? Which are their favorite? Let us know in the comments.
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