Cow Ears for Dogs: How They Compare to Pig Ears, and Who They Suit

Someone asked me last week whether pig ears were alright for a Labrador who had put on a bit of weight over the summer. The answer was no, not really, and the better answer was standing right next to it on the table.

Cow ears do almost everything a pig ear does. They just do it with a fraction of the fat.

Are cow ears good for dogs?

Yes, and of all the ears we sell they are the easiest one to recommend without caveats.

They are single ingredient, air-dried, and nothing else goes near them. What makes them stand out is the fat. Our cow ears run at 54.6% protein and 6.4% fat, which puts them comfortably inside our low fat range and makes them one of the few ears you can give regularly without thinking about it.

Cow ears or pig ears?

This is the question I get most, and most answers you will find are vague about it. Here are the actual numbers from our two.

	Cow ear	Pig ear
Fat	6.4%	20%
Protein	54.6%	68.4%
Size	Larger	Smaller

A pig ear has roughly three times the fat. It also carries more protein, so this is a genuine trade rather than one being better at everything, and I would rather show you that than pretend otherwise.

For most dogs the fat is the number that matters. If your dog is carrying extra weight, has a delicate stomach, or has ever had pancreatitis, a pig ear is the wrong choice and a cow ear is the obvious swap. If your dog is lean and active and you are chasing protein, a pig ear is not a bad thing at all.

Why do ours have fur on them?

Because it is left on deliberately.

Fur acts as roughage. It gives the gut something to work against and helps move things through, the same principle as fibre in your own diet. It is why raw feeders often go looking for the hairy versions of things.

It looks alarming the first time. Everybody says so. Your dog will not give it a second thought.

One thing I will say plainly, because plenty of sites are loose about it: a hairy ear is a useful addition to a healthy gut, but it is not a substitute for your vet's worming treatment. Keep doing what your vet advises.

Are there any risks?

The same one that applies to every chew we sell, and one habit deals with almost all of it.

When a dog works an ear down to a small piece, they will often try to swallow the rest whole rather than keep chewing. Take it off them at that point. That is it. That is the single most useful thing you can do.

Beyond that: supervise, keep fresh water nearby, and introduce it slowly if your dog has never had beef before.

Cow ears are also easier on the stomach than pig ears, simply because there is so much less fat in them. Most of the digestive upsets people report with ears come down to richness rather than the ear itself.

How often can I give one?

More freely than a pig ear, which is much of the appeal.

A couple a week suits most dogs comfortably. Count them towards the day's food rather than adding them on top. The usual guide is that treats and chews should be no more than about a tenth of what your dog eats in a day, and at 6.4% fat a cow ear sits well inside that.

Can puppies have cow ears?

From around 12 weeks, with you watching.

You will see them sold as suitable from eight weeks. I would wait a little longer, for the same reason I say it about everything: a very young puppy is better off with something they cannot swallow in one go.

Size is the bigger issue for a pup. A cow ear is a substantial thing and a small puppy will not know where to start. If you want something for a young dog, a rabbit ear or a paddywack is the more sensible size. Our 12 weeks and over range covers what else is suitable.

What size dog do they suit?

Medium and large, mostly.

That is a border terrier, and those are two cow ears. It is the clearest way I can show you the scale.

This is worth being clear about, because plenty of listings say cow ears suit small breeds and I do not think that is right. A cow ear is noticeably bigger than a pig ear. For a Labrador or a collie that is exactly what you want, something with enough to it that they have to work. For a Yorkie it is a lot of ear.

If your dog is small, a rabbit ear is the better fit.

Do they smell?

Barely, and this is another quiet advantage over a pig ear.

Fat is what carries smell. At 6.4% there is very little to carry it. A pig ear left on the living room carpet announces itself. A cow ear does not.

The short version

Cow ears are lean at 6.4% fat, single ingredient, and the sensible everyday alternative to a pig's ear for a dog who needs to watch their weight. They carry less protein than a pig ear, so it is a trade rather than a clean win. The fur is deliberate and does a job, though it is not a wormer. They suit medium and large dogs best, and puppies from 12 weeks with supervision.

If your dog needs to lose a bit but you do not want to stop giving them anything, this is where I would start. The rest of our low fat range is worth a look too.

Not sure whether a cow ear or something else suits your dog? Email me and tell me about them. I answer every message myself.