Are Rabbit Ears Good for Dogs? Hairy vs Hairless, and How Often to Feed

Rabbit ears are the chew people pick up, turn over, and then ask me about with a slightly worried look. Usually because of the fur.

Our rabbit ears for dogs are also one of the best value treats in our range, and one of the few chews I would hand to almost any dog. Here is the honest run through.

Are rabbit ears good for dogs?

Yes, and they are one of the easiest chews to recommend.

They are single ingredient, 100% rabbit and nothing else. Rabbit is a novel protein, which means most dogs have never eaten it, and that is exactly why it suits dogs who react to beef, chicken or pork. Easy to digest, high in protein, and small enough not to be a big commitment.

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or a list of things they cannot have, this is usually where I start.

Are they actually lean?

No, and I want to correct something here, including something I have said myself.

Rabbit ears get described as a lean treat almost everywhere, including on our own site until recently. The numbers say otherwise. Our hairy ears run at 21.5% fat and the hairless ones at 34.4%. For comparison, a pig's ear, which everybody agrees is fatty, is 20%.

So a hairy rabbit ear is slightly richer than a pig's ear, and a hairless one is a good deal richer than that. The fur makes up part of the weight in the hairy version, which is why the hairless figure is higher.

That does not make them a bad chew. They are still single protein, still easy to digest, and still the right answer for a dog who reacts to everything else. But if your dog is on a diet, or has had pancreatitis, they are not the one to reach for. A beef tripe stick at 6.9% fat or a cow ear at 6.4% is the lean choice.

I would rather tell you that than repeat something because everyone else does.

Why is there fur on them?

This is the question. Every time.

The fur is left on deliberately. It acts as roughage, giving the gut something to work against and helping move things through. It is the same principle as fibre in your own diet, and it is the reason a lot of raw feeders specifically look for the hairy ones.

It looks alarming the first time. It is meant to be there, it is perfectly normal, and your dog will not think twice about it.

One thing I would say plainly: a hairy ear is a nice addition to a healthy gut, but it is not a substitute for your vet's worming treatment. Keep doing what your vet advises and treat the ear as a good chew rather than a medicine.

Hairy or hairless: which should I get?

Both are the same ear and the same price. The differences are the fur and, as above, the fat.

Go with the fur if: you want the roughage, your dog copes fine with it, or you feed raw and are used to it. That is our Hairy Rabbit Ears, at 21.5% fat.

Go hairless if: the fur puts you off, your dog is new to natural chews, or you would rather start gently. Our Hairless Rabbit Ears are also slightly better as a straightforward dental chew, since there is nothing between the teeth and the skin. They are the richer of the two at 34.4% fat.

If you genuinely cannot decide, the Rabbit Medley has a mix in it and works out cheaper than buying both.

How long do they last?

Minutes, not hours. Be clear-eyed about that.

A rabbit ear is thin and light. Most dogs will finish one fairly quickly, and a large dog will make very short work of it. That is not a criticism, it is simply what they are: a small, satisfying treat rather than something to occupy an afternoon.

They are cheap enough to be handed out regularly rather than saved for a special occasion, and they come in packs up to 50 if your dog has decided they are the only thing worth eating. If you want a chew that lasts, look at a buffalo horn or a paddywack.

Are they safe for puppies?

From around 12 weeks, with you watching.

You will see rabbit ears sold as suitable from eight weeks. I would give it a little longer, simply because a very young puppy is better off with something they cannot swallow in one go. From 12 weeks they are a good option, and they are soft enough not to trouble new teeth.

They suit older dogs well too, for the same reason: soft, light, and no real work needed to get through one.

How many can I give?

One or two at a time is plenty, and count them towards the day's food.

The usual rule applies: treats and chews should be no more than around a tenth of what your dog eats in a day. Given how rich they actually are, I would stay inside that rather than at the edge of it.

Do they smell?

Barely. They are dry and light, and they do not develop the smell that a pig's ear or a piece of tripe will. If you have been put off natural chews by something stinking the living room out, a rabbit ear is a very different experience.

Giving one safely

• Supervise, as with any chew.
• Fresh water nearby.
• Introduce slowly if your dog has never had rabbit before.
• Because they go quickly, keep an eye out for a dog trying to swallow the last of it whole.

The short version

Rabbit ears are single protein, easy to digest and genuinely cheap. The fur is deliberate and does a job. They are richer than most people assume, so treat them as a reward rather than a daily habit. And they do not last long, which is not a fault, it is what they are.

Keep exploring: our rabbit dog treats, soft dog treats and grain free dog treats.

If your dog reacts to everything else, start here. And if you are still unsure whether hairy or hairless suits you better, email me and I will talk you through it. I answer every message myself.