FAQ — Natural Dog Chews

Everything you want to know about natural wood dog chews — answered honestly.

Safety

Are natural wood dog chews safe?

Yes — when properly sourced and made. Woodbone chews use coffee and olive wood: two food-safe hardwoods with no toxic compounds, no splinters, and no additives. They break down into fine fibres rather than sharp shards. Supervise your dog especially in the first few sessions and remove the chew when it becomes small enough to swallow whole.

Does coffee wood contain caffeine?

No. Caffeine is found in the coffee bean — not in the structural wood of the coffee tree. Coffee wood chews are made from branches and roots of the Coffea plant and contain no stimulants. Full explanation here.

What if my dog swallows a small piece?

Small wood fibres — the kind that come off during normal chewing — pass through the digestive system without issue. Monitor the size of the chew and remove it before it becomes small enough to swallow whole.

Are wood chews safer than antlers?

Yes. Antlers are very hard and dense, and there are documented cases of fractured teeth. Natural wood has some give — it fibres rather than shatters. Vets frequently recommend avoiding antlers for this reason.

Are they better than rawhide?

In most respects, yes. Rawhide is chemically processed, can swell in the stomach, and carries a blockage risk if large pieces are swallowed. Natural wood chews have none of those risks: one ingredient, no processing, no swelling. Full comparison here.

Is it safer than sticks from the park?

Significantly safer. Park sticks can contain bacteria, fungi, pesticides, and toxic wood species. They also splinter sharply. Woodbone chews are made from known, food-safe wood — cleaned, dried, and checked before shipping.

Choosing the Right Chew

Coffee wood or olive wood — which is better?

Depends on your dog. Coffee wood is denser — for power chewers and larger breeds. Olive wood is slightly softer — better for moderate chewers, smaller breeds, and puppies. Full comparison: Coffee vs Olive Wood. Not sure? The Coffee + Olive Bundle lets you try both.

What size should I get?

See our Size Guide for the full breed-by-breed breakdown. In short: XS/S for small breeds and puppies, M for medium breeds, L/XL for large and power chewers. When in doubt, always size up — never down.

Can puppies have wood chews?

Yes, with the right size and supervision. Avoid hard chews under 12 weeks. From 3–6 months (teething), olive wood is ideal. Coffee wood from 6 months as adult teeth develop. Full puppy guide here.

Which breeds is this suitable for?

All breeds — the key is matching wood type and size to your dog. Staffies, Labradors, and German Shepherds do best with coffee wood L or XL. Spaniels and Beagles suit M. Smaller breeds and puppies suit olive wood XS or S. Breed guide here.

Using Wood Chews

How long should a wood chew last?

Light to moderate chewers: weeks to months. Heavy chewers: days to weeks — coffee wood lasts significantly longer for this group. If your dog gets through a chew in under an hour, size up.

Should I supervise my dog while they chew?

Yes — especially for the first few sessions to confirm the size is right. Once you've seen how your dog chews, ongoing supervision can be more relaxed. Remove the chew when it gets small enough to swallow whole.

Do they smell or stain?

Coffee wood has a mild natural scent when actively chewed — not unpleasant. It can leave faint marks on pale surfaces when damp; most owners give chews on a mat or tiled area. Olive wood has minimal scent and is generally mess-free.

Why does my dog chew everything when left alone?

Chewing is a natural stress response — it releases endorphins and helps dogs self-regulate when anxious or bored. Giving a wood chew before you leave redirects that energy appropriately. Full guide here.

Delivery & Returns

How fast is delivery?

Free tracked delivery on all UK orders. Dispatched within 1–2 business days, delivered within 2–4 business days. You'll receive a tracking number when your order ships.

What's your returns policy?

30-day returns on unused items. Contact us first at contact@woodbone.co.uk. Full details in our Refund Policy.

Do you ship outside the UK?

We currently ship to UK addresses only.