Dog Cigars: What's Inside This Chew?
A dog cigar is a dried meat snack in stick form that only resembles a cigar because of its appearance – it has nothing to do with tobacco. At snack4pet, dog cigars consist, for example, of 98 % muscle meat and an edible casing made of collagen. In this article you will learn exactly what is inside dog cigars, how they differ from chew bones and chew sticks and which dogs they are suitable for.
Content: Dog Cigars: What's Inside This Chew?
- What is a dog cigar?
- What are dog cigars made of? Ingredients and nutritional values
- Dog cigar, chew bone or chew stick: the difference
- Which dogs are dog cigars suitable for?
- Feeding dog cigars properly: amount, portioning and storage
- Frequently asked questions about dog cigars
- Conclusion: dog cigars – a compact meat snack with a clear list of ingredients
Dog cigars made from beef, horse and rabbit:
What is a dog cigar?
A dog cigar is an elongated, dried meat stick about 12 cm long and around 2 cm in diameter that is fed as a reward or as a snack between meals.
Where the name comes from
The name describes the shape only: thick, round, reddish brown and about the length of a hand, the snack resembles a cigar. A dog cigar has nothing to do with tobacco or smoke. Important to know: real cigars, cigarettes and cigarette butts are poisonous to dogs because of the nicotine and must always be kept out of reach.
How a dog cigar is made
Finely minced muscle meat is filled into a casing and then dried – similar to a dried sausage, just without seasonings for humans. The result is a compact snack with a soft to medium-firm texture that is easy to divide. Our article Chew articles for dogs: Why they're important and which ones are available offers an overview of different types of chews.
What are dog cigars made of? Ingredients and nutritional values
Most dog cigars at snack4pet – for example horse, rabbit, kangaroo, ostrich and deer – consist, according to the product information, of 98 % muscle meat from a single animal species and 2 % collagen casing, an edible casing made from animal collagen.
What is a collagen casing?
A collagen casing is a sausage casing made from collagen, the connective tissue protein from animal hides. It is edible and digestible and is often used for sausages and snacks because it is more uniform in shape and thickness than natural casings.
Nutritional values at a glance
Two examples according to the product information:
| Variety | Composition | Crude protein | Crude fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Cigar Horse | 98 % horse muscle meat, 2 % collagen casing | 55.8 % | 14.2 % |
| Dog Cigar Kangaroo | 98 % kangaroo muscle meat, 2 % collagen casing | 63.4 % | 17.2 % |
Dog cigars are therefore very rich in protein and, depending on the variety, contain about 14 to 25 % crude fat – a medium to somewhat higher fat content. Because they are dried, the energy is concentrated – small pieces are often enough as a reward. The information on the respective product page is always binding.
One animal species per variety
Each variety is based on one type of meat: beef, horse, rabbit, kangaroo, ostrich or deer. This is practical if your dog does not tolerate certain protein sources. You can read more about the types of meat in our guides Horse meat for dogs and Kangaroo meat for dogs.
Exotic or game – more dog cigar varieties:
Dog cigar, chew bone or chew stick: the difference
A dog cigar is a soft to medium-firm meat snack that is chewed only briefly, whereas chew bones and chew sticks made from hide, tendons or intestine are usually harder and keep dogs busy for much longer.
| Criterion | Dog cigar | Hide chew bone | Chew stick (e.g. scalp, intestine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main ingredient | muscle meat | dried hide | hide, intestine or tendon |
| Texture | soft to medium | hard | medium to hard |
| Chewing time | short | long | medium to long |
| Ideal for | rewards, training, snacks between meals | extended chewing | chewing in between |
If you are mainly looking for long-lasting activity, a hard chew such as the Buffalo hide bones or a product from our Chew bones category is the better choice. For quick rewards and as a snack, the dog cigar is ideal.
Which dogs are dog cigars suitable for?
Dog cigars are suitable for dogs of all sizes that like meat snacks – and thanks to their soft to medium-firm texture also for young, older and chew-sensitive dogs, provided the piece size is right.
Particularly suitable for
- Small and large dogs: Small dogs get slices, large dogs can sometimes have a whole cigar.
- Dogs in training: Cut into slices, the dog cigar becomes a strong-smelling reward.
- Seniors: The texture is gentler than that of very hard chews.
- Sensitive dogs: Varieties such as horse or kangaroo with only one type of meat are an option for many dogs with intolerances. You will find suitable products in our Hypoallergenic chews category.
Dog cigars for puppies
Young dogs can also try dog cigars, as long as the pieces are small enough and the main food makes up the largest part of the ration. Cut the cigar into thin slices for puppies and give only a few pieces at first so that the stomach can get used to the new snack. Watch how your puppy tolerates the snack and increase the amount slowly.
When you should be careful
Dogs that gulp their food greedily may swallow a whole cigar without chewing it. Give them pieces instead or hold the cigar while they eat. If your dog is overweight, has pancreatitis or other illnesses, it is best to discuss feeding higher-fat snacks with your vet.
Feeding dog cigars properly: amount, portioning and storage
It is best to feed dog cigars as a small snack or cut into slices as a training reward and to include them in the daily treat budget of about 10 percent of daily energy.
Portioning made easy
- Whole cigar: As a snack for medium-sized and large dogs.
- Half a cigar: For small dogs or when there are several snacks a day.
- Slices: Cut into thin slices with a sharp knife – ideal for training.
Dog cigars as a training snack
Cut into thin slices, dog cigars become an aromatic reward that is easy to hold in your hand. Prepare a small amount before your walk and keep it in a treat pouch. That way you can reward in a targeted way without constantly having to cut more. Because dog cigars are dried, they stay fresh longer on the go than moist snacks.
Proper storage
Store dog cigars in a dry, cool place away from sunlight and close the packaging tightly after opening. You will find more tips in our guide Proper storage of chews.
Variety in the bowl
Dog cigars are a complementary feed and do not replace a main meal. Combine them with chews that keep your dog busy for longer and make sure the overall diet is balanced. You will find all varieties in our Dog cigars category and more horse snacks in our Horse category.
For longer chewing fun: chew sticks as a supplement:
Frequently asked questions about dog cigars
What is a dog cigar?
A dog cigar is a dried meat snack in stick form, about 12 cm long and 2 cm thick. It owes its name only to its shape – it contains no tobacco. It is fed as a reward or as a snack between meals.
What are dog cigars made of?
At snack4pet, most dog cigars consist, according to the product information, of 98 % muscle meat from a single animal species and 2 % collagen casing as an edible shell. Varieties include beef, horse, rabbit, kangaroo, ostrich and deer.
Which dogs are dog cigars suitable for?
For dogs of all sizes that like meat snacks. Thanks to their soft to medium-firm texture, they are also suitable for young, older and sensitive dogs. For small dogs and dogs that gulp their food, you should cut them into pieces.
Are dog cigars chews for long-lasting activity?
Not really. Dog cigars are chewed only briefly and are more of a snack than a long-lasting chew. Hard chews such as hide chew bones or tendons are better for keeping your dog busy for a long time.
How many dog cigars can my dog have per day?
That depends on size and overall diet. All snacks together should provide no more than about 10 percent of daily energy. Half a cigar is usually enough for small dogs, while larger dogs can have a whole one.
Conclusion: dog cigars – a compact meat snack with a clear list of ingredients
Dog cigars are dried meat sticks that resemble cigars in name only: they usually consist of 98 % muscle meat from a single animal species and an edible collagen casing, are rich in protein and soft to medium-firm. This makes them suitable as a reward, training snack or small treat for dogs of all sizes. For extended chewing, it is best to combine them with harder chews, and as with all snacks: include the amount in the daily budget. That way, the dog cigar becomes an uncomplicated treat for your dog.
Further reading on this topic:
- Single protein snacks: treats with just one type of meat
- The right balance: Why chews shouldn't be a main meal
- Chew articles for dogs: Why they're important and which ones are available
This post was created with the help of AI
