Olive Wood vs Coffee Wood: Which Natural Dog Chew is Right for Your Dog?
Share
“What’s better — olive wood or coffee wood?” “Are they the same?” “Which one will my dog prefer?”
The short answer: both are safe, natural, and durable, but they offer different chewing experiences depending on your dog’s size, chewing style, and preferences. Here’s everything you need to know to choose.
Coffee Wood Chews — Best for Power Chewers
Coffee wood is one of the hardest, densest natural woods available for dog chews. It comes from pruned branches of coffee trees — harvested sustainably without cutting down the tree. The result is an extremely tough chew that barely makes a dent even for dogs that destroy everything else.
- Best for: Power chewers, medium and large breeds, dogs who like firm resistance
- Texture: Smooth exterior, dense core. May shave off small fibres as your dog chews — similar to natural brushing. These fibres are safe to ingest in normal amounts.
- Durability: Exceptional — even large dogs may take weeks or months to work through a single stick
- Scent: Faint natural coffee aroma — most dogs find it irresistible
Olive Wood Chews — Best for Moderate Chewers
Olive wood is slightly softer and more fibrous than coffee wood, making it a better fit for dogs who enjoy gnawing without needing industrial-level resistance. It comes from naturally fallen branches of olive trees — 100% renewable and eco-friendly.
- Best for: Gentle to moderate chewers, small to medium breeds, puppies and first-time chewers
- Texture: Naturally irregular surface — dogs love the variation in shape and texture. Slightly more fibrous than coffee wood.
- Durability: Strong and long-lasting — will outlast most synthetic chews by a significant margin
- Scent: Mild, pleasant natural scent
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Coffee Wood | Olive Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Very hard | Hard (slightly softer) |
| Best for | Power chewers, large breeds | Moderate chewers, smaller breeds |
| Scent | Faint coffee aroma | Mild natural scent |
| Durability | Exceptional | Very good |
| Source | Pruned coffee tree branches | Fallen olive tree branches |
| Additives | None — 100% natural | None — 100% natural |
Which Should You Choose?
- Large breed or power chewer → go with Coffee Wood
- Small breed, puppy, or moderate chewer → go with Olive Wood
- Not sure? → try our Natural Dog Chew Bundle — one of each
Both are 100% natural, free from additives, and biodegradable. Both clean teeth naturally as your dog chews, reducing plaque and tartar without chemicals. And both ship free across the UK.
Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll help you find the right fit for your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — olive wood or coffee wood?
Neither is universally better — they suit different dogs. Coffee wood is denser, making it ideal for power chewers: Staffies, Labradors, German Shepherds. Olive wood is slightly softer — better for moderate chewers, smaller breeds, and puppies trying a natural chew for the first time. If you're unsure which your dog will prefer, the Coffee + Olive Bundle lets you try both.
Can my dog have both olive wood and coffee wood?
Yes — many owners keep both on hand. Coffee wood for active sessions when the dog needs serious chewing engagement, olive wood as a gentler option at other times. Both are safe, both are 100% natural, and there is no issue with alternating between them.
Which wood chew is better for puppies?
For puppies, especially those under 6 months or in active teething, olive wood is the gentler starting point. Coffee wood can be introduced once the puppy has adult teeth coming through and a stronger jaw. Always choose a size appropriate to your puppy's breed — when in doubt, go larger rather than smaller.
Does coffee wood really come from coffee trees?
Yes. Coffee wood chews are made from the pruned branches and harvested roots of the Coffea plant — the same trees that produce coffee beans. The wood itself contains no caffeine; that compound is concentrated in the bean, not the structural wood. What your dog is chewing is simply cleaned, dried branch wood — dense, food-safe, and completely natural.