SmartBones Smart Chews Review — Rawhide-Free Chicken Chews

Intro — why I tested SmartBones Smart Chews

I’m The Pet Dude: I tinker with chew toys, treats and the odd training aid to keep my pack entertained and their jaws in working order. SmartBones Smart Chews (small, 14-count) are a product I see often when I want a non-rawhide chew that’s safe for sensitive stomachs and sized for little mouths. The brand pitches these as a rawhide alternative made with real chicken and vegetables, grain-free and enriched with vitamins and minerals. I brought a bag home to see how they stand up to small-breed chewing habits, training, and digestive sensitivity.

What it is — first look

In plain terms, SmartBones Smart Chews are soft, stick-shaped chews shaped like safari animals and sold in a resealable bag containing 14 chews. The product listing makes several prominent claims: no rawhide, made with real chicken and wholesome vegetables (the listing calls out sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots), grain-free, no artificial colors, vitamin and mineral enriched, designed to help maintain healthy teeth and gums through the natural action of chewing, and intended for small breeds and all life stages. They’re marketed specifically for dental care and as an easy-to-digest alternative to rawhide.

Key product facts I used in testing

• Pack: 14-count bag of small Smart Chews (listed as long-lasting chews).
• Form: stick-shaped chews in fun safari animal shapes and multiple colors.
• Claims: no rawhide, grain-free, made with real chicken and vegetables, vitamin & mineral enriched, no artificial colors, easy to digest.
• Target: small breeds; age range is listed as all life stages.

In daily use — hands-on testing and real-world fit

I put these chews into rotation for three different roles in my home: a training/treat option, a short chewing reward for a small-pup break, and as a fill toy insert. Across those scenarios they performed like a chew/treat hybrid rather than a long-lasting gnaw toy for heavy chewers.

Training and positive reinforcement

Because the pieces are small and stick-like, they’re easy to break into training-sized rewards for quick sessions. The listing frames SmartBones as a treat and promotes dental benefits; in practice I used them for clicker/marker training and as a reward during calm-down sessions. My small dogs responded enthusiastically: the internal owner notes that picky pups like these, and that matched my pack—several of my dogs accepted them readily and I found them handy for repeated rewards.

Chew-time and boredom-busting

SmartBones are firmer than a soft biscuit but not as dense as a nylon or rubber chew. In the home, they occupy an average small-breed chewer for a few minutes; the listing calls them "long lasting chews," and owner notes echo that they can last a while for some dogs but are consumed faster by others. If you have a dog that pulverizes treats in under 30 seconds, consider these a short reward rather than a multi-hour boredom solution.

Puppy use and stomach sensitivity

The product listing and the packaging highlight digestibility and the “no rawhide” formula. In my experience and supported by owner notes, these are gentle for many puppies and dogs with sensitive stomachs: several accounts point out that they are easy on digestion. That said, there are mixed experiences—one owner reported an episode of diarrhea after a single chew. So while the chews are marketed as easy to digest, I advise introducing them slowly and watching stool consistency if your pup has a sensitive gut.

Using in toys and enrichment

The shape and size make SmartBones workable as inserts for puzzle toys designed for small treats. A few of my dogs enjoyed them inside treat-dispensing toys. The internal notes mention owners putting them into treat toys; they can make for a motivating item when you want to rotate treat types.

Materials & build quality

Because these are edible chews, "build quality" means ingredients, texture, and consistency rather than manufacturing finish. The listing states these are made with real chicken and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots, and are grain-free and free of artificial colors. They’re enriched with vitamins and minerals and use a patented no-rawhide formula intended to improve digestibility compared with traditional rawhide chews.

• Ingredient style: real chicken plus vegetables; vitamin and mineral enrichment is included on the listing.
• Form & texture: stick-shaped, safari-animal forms, firmer than a soft biscuit but chewable by small dogs.
• Packaging: the listing and owner notes indicate a bag format; owners have noted a resealable bag for freshness.

I can’t speak to precise ingredient percentages or processing techniques because the product listing does not specify those details. The label copy does emphasize digestibility, which comes through in the chew's softer, food-like texture compared with rawhide.

Safety considerations

Safety is top priority for me. Based on the listing and long-term owner themes, here’s what matters:

• No rawhide: The listing proudly states SmartBones use a patented no-rawhide formula. That removes a common rawhide safety concern—indigestible rawhide fragments—but does not remove all risks associated with chewing and swallowing pieces.
• Digestibility, but test in small amounts: The product claims high digestibility and the listing says they will "rarely cause an upset stomach or loose stool," but owner reports are mixed—many dogs tolerate them fine, while at least one instance of diarrhea after a single chew is documented in owner notes. Introduce gradually to your dog's diet and observe stool and appetite.
• Size & choking: These are labeled for small breeds and described as small chews. Owners noted shapes can be awkward for small mouths and sometimes need cutting up. If your dog tends to gulp or swallow whole pieces, supervise chew sessions and break chews down into appropriately sized portions.
• Dental claims: The listing says these help maintain healthy teeth and gums through the natural action of chewing. In practice, they provide mechanical chewing action similar to other soft chews that can help reduce plaque build-up, but they are not a substitute for brushing or professional dental care.
• Allergen & ingredient flags: The listing marks these as grain-free and “Abalone Free” in allergen information; they also claim "No Artificial Colors." If your dog has specific protein or vegetable allergies, check ingredient details directly on packaging or with the manufacturer—the listing doesn’t provide a full guaranteed-analysis or exhaustive ingredient panel in the copy provided.

Given those factors: supervise all chew time, especially for puppies and dogs prone to gulping, introduce slowly for dogs with sensitive digestion, and consider breaking chews into smaller pieces for very small or fragile mouths.

Cleaning & storage

These are edible chews, so no cleaning is required, but proper storage matters. The listing indicates a bag format; owner notes call out a resealable bag. I stored open bags in a dry pantry and used the reseal to keep chews fresher between uses. If your bag does not reseal, transfer to an airtight container to maintain texture and freshness.

Value & pricing tier

The listing positions SmartBones as a packaged treat available in a 14-count bag, and owner notes frequently mention value considerations—some owners buy them regularly, some wait for a good sale. I’d call the product a mid-range everyday treat option: more specialized than a plain biscuit because of the no-rawhide recipe and real-chicken/vegetable composition, but not a premium single-ingredient freeze-dried treat. If you rely on these as a frequent reward, watch your budget or consider buying in a subscription if available.

Who this is for — and who should skip

Great fit

• Small-breed dogs and puppies who enjoy chewable treats and need portion-sized chews.
• Dogs with a sensitivity to rawhide or owners who want a rawhide-free alternative.
• Pet parents who want grain-free, chicken-and-vegetable flavored treats with no artificial colors and vitamin/mineral enrichment.
• Owners who use treats for training and need small, breakable rewards.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Power chewers who shred and swallow large fragments—these chews are not billed as indestructible or long-lasting for aggressive chewers.
• Dogs with known food intolerances without checking the full ingredient list—while the product is grain-free, you should confirm the full ingredient panel if your dog has allergies.
• Dogs that gulp or bolt treats—some owners find the animal shapes awkward and cut them up; supervise to avoid choking.

Verdict — my take as The Pet Dude

SmartBones Smart Chews (small, 14-count) do exactly what they set out to do: offer a rawhide-free, chicken-and-vegetable chew in a convenient small size that many dogs find tasty and digestible. In my rotation they worked best as a training/treat option and a brief chew-time reward for small breeds and puppies. The texture and flavor profile are appealing to picky pups in many owner reports and my pack, and I appreciated the grain-free/no artificial colors branding and the vitamin/mineral enrichment noted on the listing.

They are not a magic dental cure or an all-day boredom buster for power chewers. If you need something indestructible or multi-hour, pair SmartBones with tougher chews or toys. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, introduce slowly—owner experiences are mostly positive on digestion but there are mixed reports including an instance of diarrhea after one chew.

Pros (based on listing + hands-on)

• No rawhide formula and marketed as easy to digest.
• Made with real chicken and vegetables (sweet potatoes, peas, carrots are called out).
• Grain-free and no artificial colors.
• Small size suitable for small breeds and easy to break for training.
• Vitamin and mineral enrichment and dental-care positioning in the listing.
• Resealable bag for freshness (noted by owners).

Cons / caveats

• Not durable for heavy, power chewers—some dogs will consume them quickly.
• Shapes can be awkward for very small mouths and may need cutting into smaller pieces.
• Mixed digestive responses: generally gentle but at least one report of diarrhea after a single chew.
• The listing doesn’t provide a full ingredient panel or guaranteed analysis in the copy I used, so owners with strict allergy needs should verify packaging details or contact the maker.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the small size fits your dog’s mouth and chewing style; cut into pieces for tiny pups or if shape seems awkward.
• Introduce a single chew first if your dog has a sensitive stomach; watch stool consistency and appetite.
• If your dog is a power chewer, don’t rely on these as a long-lasting gnaw toy—use them as treats instead.
• Verify full ingredient list on the package if your dog has specific allergies; the listing highlights grain-free and certain vegetables but doesn’t publish a full guaranteed analysis in the product copy provided here.

Colors and presentation

The listing emphasizes "fun safari animal shapes" and multicolor chews. Based on available product images, the chews are presented in multiple colors; available colors may include:

• tan
• orange
• green
• yellow
• brown

These color cues and animal shapes make treat time visually engaging for dogs and owners, and they’re helpful when using the chews in training or toy inserts.

Final thoughts

If you’re after a rawhide-free small chew that’s flavored with real chicken and vegetables, SmartBones Smart Chews are worth trying for small breeds and puppies. They’re particularly useful as training treats, short chew-time rewards, and as an alternative for dogs whose owners want to avoid rawhide. Just be deliberate about portions, supervise chewing, and introduce them slowly if your dog has digestive sensitivities.

Overall: solid small-breed treat that fills a niche between soft training treats and hard, long-lasting gnaw chews. Keep expectations in line with the product positioning—digestible, tasty, and convenient, but not an indestructible chew toy for aggressive chewers.