If you've ever stood in the treat aisle staring at a wall of chews wondering which one is actually good for your dog — this is the guide you've been looking for. Not all chews are created equal. The right chew for your dog depends on their size, chewing style, health goals, and protein history. And when those chews are freeze-dried and single ingredient, the nutritional benefits go far beyond just keeping them busy.
At Momentum Carnivore Nutrition, we've been freeze-drying single-ingredient pet treats and chews for more than two decades at our facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Every chew in our lineup is sourced from regional farms and processors across the Midwest and contains exactly one ingredient — the whole animal part, nothing else. Here's everything you need to know about our freeze-dried chew lineup and how to match the right one to your dog.
What Freeze-Drying Does to Nutrition — and Why It Matters
Before we get into individual chews, it's worth understanding why freeze-drying is different from every other preservation method.
Traditional chew processing — roasting, smoking, boiling, or baking — uses high heat that destroys enzymes, degrades proteins, and strips out heat-sensitive vitamins and fatty acids. What's left is a shelf-stable product that's lost a significant portion of its original nutritional value.
Freeze-drying removes moisture through sublimation — ice converts directly to vapor at low temperature and pressure, with no heat involved. The raw cellular structure of the chew remains completely intact. Proteins don't denature. Enzymes stay active. Vitamins and fatty acids are preserved. What you get is a chew with the nutritional profile of raw, in a shelf-stable form that requires no refrigeration.
This matters because the health benefits we're about to describe — glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, taurine, omega-3s, B vitamins — are fragile compounds. They survive freeze-drying. They don't always survive heat processing.
Why Single Ingredient Matters
The pet treat industry is full of products with long ingredient lists — binding agents, preservatives, artificial flavors, smoke flavoring, and fillers that exist to hold the chew together or extend shelf life. Every ingredient added is an ingredient that could trigger a reaction in a sensitive dog, complicate an elimination diet, or simply add calories and additives your dog doesn't need.
A single-ingredient chew is exactly what it sounds like. One ingredient. The whole animal part, freeze-dried. You know exactly what your dog is eating, exactly where it came from, and exactly what nutritional profile they're getting. For dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or owners working through an elimination diet, single-ingredient chews aren't a preference — they're a necessity.
All Momentum chews are single ingredient. No exceptions. Browse our full Natural Freeze-Dried & Air-Dried Dog Chew collection to see the complete lineup.
The Chews: A Complete Breakdown
Freeze-Dried Hairy Pig Ear Chews Wisconsin pork | Best seller
We'll start here because this is our most popular chew by a long shot — and once you understand why, you'll get it immediately.
Most pig ears on the market are blanched to remove the hair. Blanching involves scalding the ear in hot water, which does two things: it removes the hair, and it causes the ear to shrink significantly.
Our hairy pig ears go from farm to freeze-dryer with the hair intact, which means they come out enormous, dense, full-sized ears with real chewing resistance that lasts. And that hair? It's not a flaw. It's a feature.
The hair on a hairy pig ear acts as a natural fiber, moving through the digestive tract and supporting gut health in the same way dietary fiber does. It also acts as natural dental floss, physically wrapping around and between teeth as your dog chews, removing plaque and tartar in ways that standard chews can't replicate.
Beyond the hair, pig ears themselves are nutritional powerhouses. Made almost entirely of cartilage, they're naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin — the compounds that support joint cartilage integrity and help reduce inflammation in dogs with arthritis or joint pain. They're approximately 69% protein, fully digestible (unlike rawhide, which can cause intestinal blockages), and provide meaningful mental stimulation through long-lasting chewing engagement.
Pig ears are higher in fat than most chews at roughly 15-20%, so we recommend them as an occasional reward — 1-2 times per week — rather than a daily chew. Not recommended for dogs with pancreatitis or on vet-prescribed low-fat diets.
Best for: Medium to large dogs, dogs who love a long-lasting chew, dogs who need digestive fiber support, owners who want maximum dental benefit Shop Hairy Pig Ear Chews →
Freeze-Dried Duck Neck Chews Illinois & Pennsylvania duck | Currently: Buy 2 Individual Chews Get 1 Free — must add 3 to cart
If your dog has been scratching, dealing with recurring ear infections, or you just want to introduce a nutritionally complete whole prey chew — duck necks deserve your attention.
A single duck neck contains three distinct tissue types, each delivering its own nutritional benefit. Lean muscle meat wraps around the vertebrae, providing high-quality protein for muscle maintenance and energy. The vertebrae themselves are small, pliable, and fully digestible under normal chewing — nothing like weight-bearing bones that can splinter. As they crush under jaw pressure, they release bioavailable calcium and phosphorus that support bone strength and dental health. Surrounding the bone is cartilage and connective tissue rich in naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin, the compounds clinically shown to support joint health and reduce pain and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Duck is also a novel protein for most dogs. If your dog has been on chicken or beef their whole life, their immune system has had years of repeated exposure to those proteins — which is exactly how food sensitivities develop. Duck is genuinely new to most dogs' immune systems. No prior sensitization, no learned reaction. For dogs dealing with itchy skin, hot spots, paw licking, recurring ear infections, or unexplained digestive upset, rotating in a novel protein like duck is often one of the most impactful dietary changes you can make.
Duck is also classified as a cooling protein in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine — often recommended by integrative veterinarians for dogs showing signs of chronic inflammation, heat, or allergy-related conditions. For dogs that gravitate toward cool surfaces, pant excessively, or have chronically irritated skin, a cooling protein rotation can make a meaningful difference.
Duck neck chews are appropriate for both dogs and cats. Always supervise while chewing.
Available individually to try or in an 18-count bulk bag to stock up and save.
Best for: Medium to large dogs, dogs with food sensitivities or allergies, itchy or inflamed dogs, multi-pet households with cats Shop Duck Neck Chews →
Freeze-Dried Duck Head Chews Illinois & Pennsylvania duck
If duck necks are impressive, duck heads take whole prey nutrition to the next level — because they contain something no other chew on our lineup delivers: duck brain.
Duck brain is naturally rich in DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids — the same long-chain omega-3s associated with cognitive health, skin barrier function, coat quality, and anti-inflammatory support. You simply can't get duck brain anywhere else in the treat aisle. For dogs dealing with skin issues, dull coats, or cognitive changes associated with aging, this is a meaningful nutritional addition.
Beyond the brain, duck heads deliver the same novel and cooling protein benefits as duck necks, with the full complement of muscle meat and skin (protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins, selenium), soft digestible bone (calcium and phosphorus), and cartilage rich in naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin.
The beak is made entirely of cartilage — crunchy, chewable, and digestible. Duck heads are a lighter chew than duck necks, with a texture that crumbles as your dog works through it. They're appropriate for medium to large dogs and cats in multi-pet households. For smaller dogs, the head can be broken in half lengthwise.
Best for: Medium to large dogs, dogs with skin or coat concerns, senior dogs who may benefit from DHA support, novel protein seekers Shop Duck Head Chews →
Freeze-Dried Turkey Neck Chews Michigan turkey
Turkey necks are the big sibling of the neck chew family — larger and denser than duck or chicken necks, delivering a longer-lasting chew experience with an equally impressive nutritional profile.
Like all neck chews, turkey necks contain three tissue types: lean muscle meat for high-quality protein and muscle support, soft digestible bone for calcium and phosphorus, and cartilage loaded with naturally occurring glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen for joint health and mobility. Turkey is also naturally rich in B12 for nervous system support, zinc and selenium for immune function and antioxidant protection, and the freeze-drying process preserves all of it without heat degradation.
Turkey necks are appropriate for both dogs and cats and are an excellent option for medium to large dogs who need a more substantial chewing challenge than a chicken or duck neck provides. The soft digestible bone structure means they're safe — nothing like weight-bearing bones that can splinter — but dense enough to keep a serious chewer engaged.
Turkey necks are available individually or in a 12-count bulk bag. Always supervise while chewing.
Best for: Medium to large dogs, dogs needing joint support, multi-pet households, dogs who have outgrown smaller neck chews Shop Turkey Neck Chews →
Freeze-Dried Pig Snout Chews Wisconsin pork
Pig snouts are one of the most underrated chews in natural pet nutrition — and one of the most nutritionally interesting.
The star compound in pig snouts is hydroxyproline, an essential component of collagen and cartilage that most commercial chews simply don't deliver. Collagen is the structural protein that supports joint function, skin elasticity, and coat health — and hydroxyproline is the amino acid that makes collagen synthesis possible. A chew naturally high in hydroxyproline is directly supporting your dog's ability to build and maintain collagen throughout their body.
Beyond the joint and coat benefits, pig snouts are approximately 71% protein, naturally grain-free and gluten-free, and provide a satisfying crunchy-chewy texture that keeps dogs engaged without being hard enough to damage teeth. They're a long-lasting chew for moderate to heavy chewers and provide meaningful dental benefit through the natural abrasive action of chewing.
Sourced from Wisconsin pork and freeze-dried to preserve the full nutritional profile of the raw snout.
Best for: Moderate to heavy chewers, dogs needing joint support, dogs with sensitive skin or coats, dogs who have tried everything and need something new Shop Pig Snout Chews →
Freeze-Dried Bully Stick Idaho beef pizzle
Here's the thing about bully sticks that nobody tells you: many pet owners give up on them because their dog can't handle the hardness of a traditional dehydrated bully stick. Senior dogs, puppies with developing teeth, and dogs with dental issues often struggle with the rigidity of a standard bully stick — which means they miss out on all the benefits.
Freeze-dried bully sticks solve that problem. The freeze-drying process preserves the raw structure of the pizzle rather than drying it into a hard, rigid chew. The result is softer, more pliable, and significantly easier to chew than a traditional bully stick — while delivering the same high-protein, single-ingredient nutrition. Approximately 62% protein, low in carbohydrates, highly digestible, and completely free of grains, gluten, and artificial additives.
Freeze-dried bully sticks are also fully digestible, which is a meaningful distinction from rawhide — which is not digestible and is a known risk for intestinal blockages. If you've been looking for a bully stick option your senior dog, puppy, or picky chewer can actually enjoy, the freeze-dried version is the answer.
Best for: Puppies, senior dogs, dogs with dental sensitivities, dogs who love the smell of bully sticks but struggle with the hardness Shop Freeze-Dried Bully Sticks →
Freeze-Dried Chicken Neck Chews North Dakota chicken | Available in bulk
Chicken necks are the smallest and most approachable chew in our neck lineup — and for small dogs, cats, and puppies, they're often the perfect introduction to whole prey chewing.
Like all neck chews, chicken necks contain three tissue types: muscle meat, soft digestible bone, and cartilage. They're naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, calcium and phosphorus for bone health, iron, zinc, and B12 for immune function and energy, and omega-3 fatty acids from the skin. They're 100% digestible, fully freeze-dried to preserve the raw nutritional profile, and safe for both dogs and cats.
Chicken is the most commonly used protein in commercial pet food — which also makes it one of the most common allergens. If your dog does well on chicken protein, chicken necks are a fantastic addition to their routine. If your dog has developed a chicken sensitivity, rotate to duck or turkey necks instead.
Chicken neck chews are currently available in bulk only.
Best for: Small dogs, cats, puppies, dogs new to whole prey chewing, multi-pet households Shop Freeze-Dried Chicken Necks →
Clean Pig Ear Chews Wisconsin pork
For owners who want all the nutritional benefits of a pig ear without the hair — meet the clean pig ear. Same Wisconsin pork, same freeze-drying process, same cartilage-rich glucosamine and chondroitin profile and ~69% protein content, just without the hair.
Clean pig ears are a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs who may not tolerate the added fiber of the hairy version, or for owners who simply prefer a less visually dramatic chew. They're fully digestible, single ingredient, and deliver the same long-lasting chewing engagement as their hairy counterpart — just a little more polished.
Like hairy pig ears, clean pig ears are higher in fat and are best given as an occasional treat rather than a daily chew. Not recommended for dogs with pancreatitis or on low-fat diets.
Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs, owners who prefer a cleaner chew, dogs who love pig ears but don't tolerate the hairy version well Shop Clean Pig Ear Chews →
How to Choose the Right Chew by Pet Size and Chewing Style
Not sure where to start? Here's a quick reference:
Small dogs and cats: Chicken necks, clean pig ears (broken into smaller pieces), freeze-dried bully sticks
Medium dogs: Duck necks, duck heads, chicken necks, hairy pig ears, pig snouts, freeze-dried bully sticks
Large dogs: Turkey necks, duck necks, duck heads, hairy pig ears, pig snouts, freeze-dried bully sticks
Light chewers and seniors: Freeze-dried bully sticks, chicken necks, duck heads
Moderate chewers: Duck necks, hairy pig ears, pig snouts, clean pig ears
Heavy chewers: Turkey necks, hairy pig ears, pig snouts
Dogs with food sensitivities or allergies: Duck neck, duck head (novel + cooling protein), pig snout (novel protein)
Dogs needing joint support: Duck neck, turkey neck, hairy pig ears, pig snout, chicken neck
Dogs needing dental support: Hairy pig ears (hair acts as natural floss), turkey necks, duck necks, pig snouts
Multi-pet households (dogs and cats): Duck necks, turkey necks, chicken necks
A Note on Supervision
All whole prey chews should be given under supervision, especially when your dog is trying a new chew for the first time. Always ensure fresh water is available. Remove any chew that has been reduced to a piece small enough to swallow whole.
Ready to Find Your Dog's New Favorite Chew?
Browse our full Natural Freeze-Dried & Air-Dried Dog Chew collection and try a single chew before committing to a bulk bag — most of our chews are available individually so your dog can weigh in before you stock up.
For more clean-label treat options, explore our Freeze-Dried Single Ingredient Treat collection and our Freeze-Dried Training Bites — under 2 calories per treat, 2 real organ ingredients, for dogs and cats.
