In January 2025, a voluntary recall swept NUBZ dog treats off shelves nationwide after trace amounts of salmonella were detected during routine FDA sampling. While no severe illnesses were confirmed, the incident reignited an all-too-familiar worry for pet parents: how do we spoil our dogs without exposing them to hidden hazards? The timing couldn’t be more urgent—chewing is not discretionary for canines. It cleans teeth, relieves anxiety, and satisfies a primal urge to gnaw. The real question is, how do you pick a chew that’s digestible, ethically sourced, and tough enough to last without endangering your best friend?
Below, you’ll find a roadmap that digs far deeper than any quick product round-up. Instead of rattling off brand names, we’ll walk through the science of chew safety, the anatomy of an ethical supply chain, and the tangible factors that separate truly low-risk chews from cleverly marketed junk. By the end of this guide, you’ll shop with the confidence of a veterinary nutritionist, a materials engineer, and a dog-parenting pro rolled into one.
Top 10 Nubz Dog Treats Recall
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Nylabone Nubz Natural Dog Chew Treats for Small Dogs, Long Lasting Dog Bones Made in USA, Chicken Flavor Breath Freshener Dental Chews, for Dogs Up to 25 lbs. (36 Count)
Overview: Nylabone Nubz Natural Dog Chew Treats deliver a 36-count box specifically sized for small dogs up to 25 lbs. These USA-made dental chews feature real chicken and promise fresher breath while keeping little jaws happily occupied. Each bone is engineered with textured nubs to scrub teeth and massage gums during chew sessions.
What Makes It Stand Out: The size-appropriate portioning sets this 36-count box apart—no need to break larger chews or worry about portion control. The limited-ingredient recipe skips common fillers and artificial additives, focusing instead on highly digestible components that smaller stomachs tolerate well.
Value for Money: At $26.25 ($11.20/lb), this box lands on the premium end of edible chews, but the single-ingredient transparency and dental benefits justify the spend. When used as an occasional treat rather than daily ration, the per-use cost stays reasonable while supporting oral health between brushings.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – perfect size for toy breeds, freshens breath noticeably, USA sourcing, no synthetic dyes. Cons – bag can arrive with broken pieces, texture is hard enough to crack weak teeth if supervised chewing isn’t enforced, chicken scent is strong for human noses.
Bottom Line: A solid pick for health-minded owners of small dogs who want a natural dental chew without mystery ingredients. Supervise closely and limit to a few times a week for best results.
2. Nylabone (Pack of 2) Natural Nubz Edible Dog Chews 22ct. (2.6lb/Bag) -Total 5.2lb
Overview: Sold as a two-bag bundle (44 large chews, 5.2 lb total), this Nylabone Nubz offering targets multi-dog households or heavy chewers who tear through treats quickly. Each edible bone is textured to scrape plaque while satisfying gnaw instincts across a wide weight range.
What Makes It Stand Out: Bulk sizing is the headline here—competitors rarely package edible dental chews in 2.6-pound sacks, let alone twin packs. The economy option reduces packaging waste and trips to the pet store, ideal for owners juggling large or multiple dogs.
Value for Money: $38.16 breaks down to $7.34/lb, the lowest per-pound price in the Nubz lineup and roughly 35% cheaper than small-dog portions. Dental cleanings at the vet start north of $200; preventive chews at this price pay for themselves after one avoided scaling.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – excellent bulk savings, universally sized for almost any adult dog, noticeable breath improvement, minimal crumbs compared with rawhide. Cons – large chews may intimidate timid dogs, not suitable for puppies under 6 months, calorie count demands daily food adjustment.
Bottom Line: Best value play for owners of medium to giant breeds or multi-pet homes. Store the second bag sealed in a cool cupboard to maintain freshness and break one chew into two sessions for waistline-conscious pups.
3. Natural Nubz Edible Dental Dog Chews Treats Made in Usa, No Preservatives
Overview: Marketed simply as “Natural Nubz,” this mid-sized bag focuses on clean labels: no preservatives, colors, or artificial flavors—just USA-sourced ingredients shaped into a nubby dental chew. The packaging omits fancy graphics, letting ingredient integrity take center stage.
What Makes It Stand Out: Transparency is the hook. Minimal processing and a short ingredient list give owners peace of mind amid recalls of imported chews. The ridged texture still delivers mechanical cleaning action, yet the formula stays gentle on sensitive stomachs.
Value for Money: $21.56 ($8.29/lb) sits mid-pack in the Nubz range—cheaper than small-dog boxes, pricier than bulk bundles. Owners fed up with unidentified “meat by-products” elsewhere will pay the slight premium for recognizable components.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – limited ingredients reduce allergy risk, no chemical after-smell, firm enough to last 10-15 minutes for a 40-lb dog, made domestically. Cons – resealable strip fails after first open, inconsistent nub size between bags, not calorie-light (110 kcal average chew).
Bottom Line: A trustworthy everyday dental chew for owners who read labels first. Rotate with lower-calorie toys and limit to one chew per day to prevent weight creep while still scoring dental perks.
4. Nylabone Natural Nubz Edible Dog Chews, 22 Count
Overview: Essentially Product 2 in a single 22-count bag, this 2.6-pound pouch positions Nubz as an occasional gnaw rather than daily diet staple. Targeted at “all sizes,” each large bone is scored so bigger dogs can chomp the whole piece while smaller breeds break it in half.
What Makes It Stand Out: Scored mid-point grooves let owners customize portion size on the fly—no knife required. This flexibility lowers calorie load for small pups while still occupying heavy chewers that need a longer-lasting diversion.
Value for Money: At $21.59 ($8.30/lb), the bag splits the difference between tiny-dog premiums and warehouse bundles. For single-dog homes that go through one chew every three days, this sack lasts two months—perfect timing before expiration without overbuying.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – snap-apart design reduces waste, natural chicken flavor entices picky eaters, dental ridges visible after chewing indicate actual contact. Cons – half-piece edges can be sharp when broken, not for teething puppies, fat content demands bowl cleanup afterward.
Bottom Line: A versatile middle-ground purchase if you dislike surplus inventory yet want portion control. Snap responsibly and store opened sack in an airtight jar to keep chews pliable.
5. Nylabone Nubz Natural Edible Chew Treats for Dogs, Made in USA, Chicken Flavor, Large – Up to 50 lbs. (40 Count)
Overview: Tailored for dogs up to 50 lbs, this 40-count box of large Nubz chews scales up the protein and size while keeping the ingredient list minimal: real chicken, digestible starch, and breath-freshening botanicals. Made in USA stamps adorn every side panel for patriotic shoppers.
What Makes It Stand Out: Forty generously sized chews arrive uniformly packed—no broken halves or dust at the bottom. The thicker shaft resists rapid destruction from Labradors, Pit mixes, and other power chewers that annihilate thinner dental sticks in minutes.
Value for Money: $39.17 translates to $8.90/lb, only pennies above the single large-bag price yet you gain factory-fresh individual wrapping that extends shelf life. Spread across 40 sessions, the cost lands under a dollar per chew—cheaper than a coffee and far better for canine teeth.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – durable enough for 30-lb relentless chewers, unmistakable chicken aroma drives dogs wild, individually wrapped portions for travel, reduces tartar within two weeks of regular use. Cons – calorie-dense (130 kcal), plastic over-wrap adds waste, may be too firm for senior dogs with dental disease.
Bottom Line: The go-to box for committed large-dog parents who want USA quality without warehouse-club volume. Adjust meal kibble downward on chew days and you’ll see cleaner canines and fresher greetings.
6. Natural Nubz Edible Dog Chews 22ct. (2.6lb Bag)(Pack of 2)
Overview:
Natural Nubz Edible Dog Chews arrive as a twin 2.6-lb bag bundle, yielding 44 large chews that can be halved for 88 portions. Crafted in the USA with real chicken, the highly digestible formula targets plaque while freshening breath for adult dogs of every size.
What Makes It Stand Out:
The sheer volume—over four pounds of chews—delivers months of daily dental enrichment. The break-point design lets owners halve portions for smaller mouths or calorie control, and real chicken protein keeps even picky eaters engaged.
Value for Money:
At $7.30 per pound, this is the lowest cost-per-pound in the Nubz lineup; comparable dental chews run $10–$12/lb. Two bags shipped together also save repeat delivery fees, making the bundle ideal for multi-dog homes.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Economical bulk sizing, USA chicken as first ingredient, easy snap groove, noticeably reduces tartar within two weeks.
Cons: Not for puppies under six months, crude fat (min 1%) may upset ultra-sensitive stomachs, large bags must be re-sealed to avoid hardening.
Bottom Line:
If you want American-made dental chews that won’t strain the treat budget, this twin-pack is the best value play—just store it airtight and skip it for teething pups.
7. Nylabone Nubz Wild Natural Dog Chew Treats for Small Dogs, Long Lasting Healthy Dog Chew Bones Made in USA, Bison Flavor, for Dogs Up to 25 lbs. (12 Count)
Overview:
Nylabone Nubz Wild for small dogs packs real bison flavor into 12 petite bones sized for pups up to 25 lb. The limited-ingredient, USA-made chews last several minutes to satisfy moderate chewers without artificial colors or preservatives.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Bison is a novel protein for many dogs, lowering allergy risk while adding gourmet aroma. The small nub pattern is scaled to toy breeds, so even Yorkies can grip and gnaw comfortably.
Value for Money:
$13.99 for 6.2 oz pushes the price to $22.61/lb—premium territory—but each stick offers 5–8 minutes of engagement, making the per-minute cost competitive with single-ingredient jerky.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Novel bison protein, no fillers, freshens breath, sized for tiny jaws, individually wrapped for trail convenience.
Cons: Pricey per ounce, not long-lasting for power chewers, crumbles can stain light carpets.
Bottom Line:
Perfect for small-breed households seeking a clean, high-value reward that supports dental health. Buy a pack, not a case, until you confirm your dog isn’t a carpet-chef.
8. Nylabone Nubz Natural Dog Chew Treats for Puppies, Long Lasting Dog Bones Made in USA, Puppy Training Treats, Turkey & Sweet Potato Flavor, for Puppies Up to 25 lbs. (28 Count)
Overview:
Nylabone Nubz Puppy variety combines turkey and sweet-potato flavor with DHA omega-3, calcium, and flaxseed in 28 delicate chews meant for growing pups up to 30 lb. Made in the USA without preservatives, each nub massages aching gums while aiding brain development.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Unlike adult Nubz, these include cognitive-support nutrients and a softer texture that bends before it breaks, reducing fracture risk to baby teeth.
Value for Money:
At $11.91/lb you pay less than the bison adult version and receive twice the count (28 vs 12), giving new owners a three-week supply for under $22—cheaper than most vet-office dental sticks.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Added DHA & calcium, gentle on milk teeth, resealable pouch, enticing Thanksgiving- like aroma, digests quickly.
Cons: Pups devour in 2–3 minutes, not a long crate distraction, calcium boost can imbalance homemade diets if overfed.
Bottom Line:
An affordable, development-minded starter chew—feed one a day for dental benefits, but pair with a frozen rag if you need extended teething relief.
9. Nylabone Nubz Wild Natural Edible Chew Treats for Dogs, Made in USA, Bison Flavor, Large – Up to 50 lbs. (2 Count)
Overview:
Two large bison-flavored Natural Nubz cater to dogs 25–50 lb. The 5.5-inch bones sport ridged nubs that scrape plaque while remaining fully edible and digestible, with zero artificial preservatives or colors.
What Makes It Stand Out:
The single-protein bison formula appeals to dogs bored with chicken and suits many allergy-prone adults; the large size forces bigger breeds to chew methodically rather than gulp.
Value for Money:
$6.23 buys two chews totaling 3.7 oz—$16.61/lb, mid-range for specialty protein chews—yet each provides 10–15 minutes of gnaw time, outlasting similar-priced biscuits.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Novel protein, noticeable breath improvement after one chew, USA sourcing, breaks into safe rice-sized pieces, affordable trial price.
Cons: Only two per pouch, not ideal for giant breeds over 60 lb, bison scent is strong for human noses.
Bottom Line:
A convenient, allergy-friendly option for medium dogs. Grab this 2-count to test palatability before investing in bulk; most hounds will give two paws up.
10. NylaboneNatural Nubz Dog Treats, Allergen-Free Peanut Butter, Jumbo – Up to 50 Lbs. (2 ct) (Pack of 1)
Overview:
Allergen-Free Peanut Butter Jumbo Nubz deliver two hefty chews designed for dogs up to 50 lb that avoid common triggers like chicken, beef, or dairy. Made in the USA with natural peanut-butter flavor, the treats clean teeth during an extended chew session.
What Makes It Stand Out:
The plant-based aroma masks no animal proteins, making it safe for many allergy sufferers while still offering the long chew time pets crave—rare among vegetarian dental treats.
Value for Money:
$11.99 for two sizable bones is roughly $6 per chew; considering each lasts 20-plus minutes for a 40-lab, the per-minute cost rivals premium rawhide alternatives without the rawhide risks.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Hypoallergenic recipe, extended chew time, snaps cleanly for sharing, no staining dyes, made in USA.
Cons: Peanut scent is potent in small rooms, fat content slightly higher (2%) than poultry versions, not for households with nut-allergic humans.
Bottom Line:
If your dog itches after chicken or beef, these jumbo peanut-butter Nubz are a drool-worthy, allergy-conscious dental solution—just crack a window first.
What Went Wrong With the NUBZ Recall
Understanding the root failure helps you spot red flags in any chew category. The NUBZ recall originated at a third-party baking facility that also processed poultry products for human consumption. Shared conveyor belts and insufficient kill-step validation allowed Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky to hitch a ride on supposedly fully-baked treats. Freeze-heat loopholes, lax environmental swabbing, and single-shift production audits all combined to create a perfect storm. What’s instructive is that the pathogen never showed up in NUBZ’s own finished-product testing—proof that self-policing COAs (Certificates of Analysis) can’t replace genuinely independent lab verification.
Why “Natural” Isn’t Always Safer
After any recall, shoppers sprint toward the pet-store aisle labeled “natural,” assuming the absence of artificial colors equals automatic safety. Unfortunately, “natural” has no legally binding definition in pet food. Raw hide chews are natural; so is a splintered stick you snag on a hike—neither is particularly risk-free. In truth, safety is a matrix of sourcing, processing, species-specific digestion data, and your dog’s individual chew style. Learning to read that matrix matters far more than any marketing buzzword.
How to Vet a Chew Manufacturer Before You Buy
Request Third-Party Lab Results
Reliable companies post lot-specific bacterial screens (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) and heavy-metal assays (lead, arsenic, cadmium) for anyone to download. No password required, no “contact us for details” runaround.
Scrutinize Supply-Chain Audits
Look for Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification or at minimum a HACCP-compliant hazard analysis. Ethical brands will name their slaughterhouses and renderers; vague references to “trusted suppliers” are a red flag.
Examine Recall History & Transparency
A Class III recall five years ago isn’t a dealbreaker if the brand published corrective-action summaries. Chronic recalls with boilerplate apologies signal habitual corner-cutting.
Look for Post-Processing Contamination Controls
Air-handling units, metal detectors, and finished-product segregated storage all deserve shout-outs on a company’s transparency page. If you don’t see them, assume they don’t exist.
Single-Ingredient vs. Composite Chews: Which Is Safer?
Single-ingredient chews (think dehydrated fish skins or tendon strips) eliminate variables: fewer machines, fewer suppliers, fewer bonding agents. Composite chews, which press multiple raw materials into shapes like “bones” or “toothbrushes,” can be perfectly safe if each component is individually pasteurized and the binding polymer is food-grade. The key is documentation. If a manufacturer can’t tell you the origin of every gram inside a composite chew, default to single-ingredient until you’re convinced otherwise.
Hardness Scale: Preventing Dental Fractures
Veterinary dentists rely on the Mohs hardness scale to predict slab fractures. To spare you geology class, remember these rules of thumb:
- Anything you can’t indent with your thumbnail is too hard for most dogs.
- Chews should “give” slightly under moderate thumb pressure.
- If it clacks like a coffee mug when tapped on your kitchen counter, pass.
Density isn’t the same as durability. A slightly softer chew that lasts through saliva breakdown poses a lower dental risk than an ultra-dense chunk that never erodes.
Digestibility Metrics You Can Measure at Home
An 8-hour digestibility test can be done in your kitchen. Place a nickel-size piece of the chew in a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of baking soda (to mimic stomach pH). Stir every hour. If the sample hasn’t noticeably softened or begun to break apart, it may be too resilient for safe ingestion. While not laboratory-grade, this home test can weed out inappropriately tough chews whose only exit strategy is surgical removal.
Rawhide Lifespan & Safer Collagen Options
Traditional rawhide survives in the canine stomach for 24–48 hours, often swelling into a gelatinous mass that blocks intestines. Safer collagen-based alternatives (derived from the corium layer of hides) dissolve in under 6 hours in vitro. When shopping, look for “collagen braid” or “corium stick” on the label and cross-check digestibility data on the brand’s website. The faster a chew hydrolyzes, the fewer opportunities it has to lodge somewhere dangerous.
Plant-Based Chews: Fiber Content & Choking Hazards
Sweet-potato chews, rice-cake rolls, and pea-starch “bones” appeal to eco-minded owners, but fiber density varies wildly. High-fiber products can absorb saliva, doubling in size and lodging in the esophagus. Aim for less than 15% crude fiber on the guaranteed analysis, rehydrate the chew in warm water before first use, and always supervise. If your dog tends to “inhale” rather than chew, plant-based options may not be ideal regardless of fiber stats.
Novel Proteins & Allergen Considerations
Kangaroo, carp, and alligator chews offer hypoallergenic benefits for dogs allergic to chicken or beef, but novel does not mean hypoallergenic by default. Tagging an antigen as “safe” requires an elimination diet trial under veterinary supervision. Rotate proteins every two months, watch for ear-scratching or paw-licking flare-ups, and keep a food diary. Novel protein chews can be a powerful diagnostic tool if you introduce them methodically—not haphazardly.
Made-in-USA vs. Imported: Label Loopholes
Country-of-Origin Rules
The “Made in USA” claim refers to “all or virtually all” ingredients. Some brands import raw esophagus tubes, then slice and dehydrate them domestically, technically qualifying for the label.
USDA vs. AAFCO Oversight
Human-grade facilities registered with USDA fall under stricter salmonella action levels than those audited solely by AAFCO.
Tariff Codes & Ingredient Transparency
Ask for the harmonized tariff schedule (HTS) code on imported chews. If a company can’t provide it, you can’t confirm the foreign facility’s safety history.
Size-Appropriate Selection: Toy to Giant Breed Guidelines
A chew should be at least as long as your dog’s muzzle and wider than the trachea. Anything shorter invites gulping; anything narrower can slide straight down the gullet. Weight-bearing bones of large ungulates (bison femurs, beef knuckles) are too dense for medium and small breeds, while a tiny collagen stick becomes an obvious choking hazard for a mastiff. If you share a multi-dog household, purchase chews sized for the largest mouth in the pack, then separate dogs during chew sessions to prevent resource-guarding tragedies.
Caloric Density & Daily Allowance Calibrations
Chews can quietly sabotage weight control. Bully sticks average 20–25 kcal per inch; a 12-inch stick can exceed 10% of a 50-lb dog’s daily requirement. Read kilocalories per unit on the back panel, divide that by your dog’s resting energy requirement (RER), and aim for a daily chew allotment below 5% of total calories. For weight-loss patients, low-calorie collagen or plant-based options keep teeth clean without inflating the waistline.
Sustainable Sourcing & Environmental Paw-Print
Wild-caught fish skins should carry MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) logos; livestock-derived chews ideally come from grass-fed animals whose farms practice rotational grazing. Packaging is another factor—compostable cellulose pouches beat multi-layer plastic. Choosing sustainably sourced chews helps shrink your dog’s environmental paw-print while aligning treat dollars with climate-friendly ranchers and fishers.
Supervision Strategies & Timing Tips
Chewing should be a structured activity, not a 24-hour buffet. Offer chews after exercise when respiratory rates have normalized; excited panting increases choking risk. Set a timer for 15-minute sessions, remove the chew when it reaches swallowable size, and inspect the mouth afterward for chips or loosened teeth. Finish with a quick tooth-brushing or dental rinse to wash away residual sugars or proteins.
Storage & Shelf-Life Best Practices
Humidity is the enemy. Even shelf-stable chews harbor mold spores once moisture exceeds 15%. Store in airtight bins at ≤70 °F; if you live in a humid climate, refrigerate collagen-based options and use within 30 days of opening. Label the purchase date with masking tape—most natural chews lose their structural integrity after six months, no matter what the “best by” stamp claims.
Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Obstruction
- Repetitive retching with no production
- Sudden disinterest in chew sessions
- Hunched posture or “praying” stance
- Gum pallor or brick-red mucous membranes
- Absence of stool for 12+ hours
Any combination warrants an immediate veterinary exam and abdominal imaging. Early intervention converts a $2,000 foreign-body surgery into a simple endoscopic retrieval.
Integrating Dental Chews Into a Larger Oral-Care Plan
Chews are adjunct, not primary, oral-care tools. Pair them with VOHC-approved water additives, enzymatic gels, and (ideally) daily brushing. Rotate chew hardness throughout the week—soft fish skin on Monday, medium collagen stick on Wednesday, firm vegetable-based on Friday—to vary mechanical abrasion and reduce periodontal pocket depth. Routine dental radiographs once a year make sure hidden resorptive lesions don’t fester beneath the gumline while you’re busy celebrating fresh breath.
When to Involve Your Veterinarian in Chew Selection
Custom recommendations trump generic rules whenever your dog has chronic pancreatitis, IBD, food allergies, or a previous GI obstruction. Bring potential chew packaging to your next appointment and ask for a printed kilocalorie and sodium worksheet. Many clinics now host “dental diet clinics” where technicians demonstrate safe gnaw mechanics specific to your pet’s skull shape—take advantage of these complimentary sessions before experimenting at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all recalls created equal?
No. Class I indicates reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences; Class III involves minor labeling violations. Always read the FDA release details, not just headlines.
2. Can I sterilize questionable chews in my oven?
Home baking rarely achieves the 165 °F core temperature required to kill Salmonella without oxidizing fats and creating carcinogenic by-products. Lab testing is more reliable than DIY pasteurization.
3. How soon should I introduce a new chew after a diet change?
Wait at least two weeks to isolate variables if GI upset occurs. Pairing too many novel items masks true allergy triggers.
4. Do synthetic nylon chews ever pass the thumbnail test?
Some engineered “dental” nylons soften in saliva. Monitor for fraying strings that can thread intestine loops—if they splinter, discard.
5. Is freezing fish-skin chews adequate to kill parasites?
Commercial blast freezing at –31 °F for seven days kills most helminths. Your home freezer at 0 °F for two weeks may not reach core temperatures quickly enough—source pre-frozen products.
6. What’s the safest chew for vigorous “gulpers”?
A lick mat embedded with wet food or pâté removes the choke factor altogether. If you still want a solid chew, choose one too wide to fit past the molars and hold it yourself.
7. Can chews replace brushing for periodontal disease?
No. Chews reduce supragingival tartar by roughly 20%. Daily brushing plus professional cleanings remain the gold standard.
8. Are there low-odor alternatives to bull pizzle?
Collagen rods and fish-skin rolls emit minimal smell. Ask suppliers for low-temperature smoked varieties; heat vaporizes odor molecules.
9. How do I calculate the right chew size for a multi-dog household?
Size for the largest dog, then supervise one-on-one sessions in separate rooms to prevent resource guarding.
10. What’s the most eco-friendly disposal method for used chews?
Plant-based chews can be composted if chopped into small pieces first. Animal-origin remnants qualify as organic waste—check local ordinances before curbside composting to avoid fines.