Disclaimer: We received two large boxes of Whimzees free of charge for review purposes and may receive small affiliate commissions from links in this post. The following post does not necessarily represent the views of Paragon Pet Products or Whimzees.
If I were to tell you that one of Henry’s favorite snacks is completely vegetarian, would you believe me? It’s true! Henry goes absolutely bonkers over Whimzees, dental chews made from natural ingredients that come in all sorts of colors, sizes, and shapes. I was approached to write a Whimzees chew review in exchange for a few packages, but the product was just a bonus because I’ve been planning to tell you about these great chews for some time! They’re cost effective, safer and healthier than many other chews, and Henry LOVES them.
Whimzees Chew Review
Whimzee chews are made in Holland from from only a few natural ingredients. According to their website, Whimzees takes saving energy, waste management, and recycling “very seriously” – a huge thumbs up from me for that!
I first discovered Whimzees at a food co-op in Connecticut while visiting my boyfriend’s family with Henry. I decided to grab a few adorable alligator chews for him as a special “vacation” treat. Like many other stores, this food co-op sells Whimzees in large bulk boxes, priced per piece. Because this particular food co-op values high-quality, healthy, ethical products, I knew I could trust these chews.
Since that day, I’ve found myself ordering large Whimzees packages every few weeks to avoid running out. If you read my post on living in a small apartment with a dog, you know that I keep a jar of them on the counter at all times. Here are a few of the reasons we love Whimzees so much:
Why We Love Whimzees
1.) Short Ingredient List With Quality Ingredients
Each Whimzee is made from only six ingredients, plus one natural ingredient for color. That’s it. Nothing artificial. No preservatives, GMOs, gluten, or meat. Plus, they’re high in fiber to keep keep your pup a-poopin’. What’s not to love? Check out a detailed run-down of the ingredients and their benefits here!
2.) A Cheaper and Lower-Calorie Alternative to Bully Sticks
I had been using four-inch bully sticks as quick snacks or distractions for Henry, but the cost was adding up. The Small Stix Whimzees, with a comparable size, only cost $0.62 per piece if purchased in a 27-pack from Amazon for $16.61 (the price as of publication, but I’ve seen it lower). The four-inch bully sticks I buy start at $1.35 each. For a quick snack, I’ll go with the one that costs half as much!
Bully sticks can also be high in calories, but Whimzees are low in both calories and sugar. I couldn’t find the official calorie count on the Whimzees website, but with only vegetarian ingredients, it’s bound to be much lower than the 9 to 22 calories per inch estimated for bully sticks.
3.) No Raw Meat Germs
Many dog chews are simply dried animal parts and come with the risk of contaminants. According to a study by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the University of Guelph, bully sticks can be tainted with bacteria like Clostridium difficile, MRSA, and E. coli. As someone who once suffered from E. coli for two months (that’s another story!), I wouldn’t mind avoiding contamination. I will continue to give Henry bully sticks, but as a bit of a germaphobe, I find it absolute delightful to give Henry a Whimzee and not suffer from paranoia if I can’t get to soap and water.
By the way, if you don’t know what a bully stick is made of, I’m not going to be the one to tell you. You’ll never look at one the same again!
4.) Safe and Easy To Chew
Whimzees are fully digestible and easy to chew. My childhood dog, Rory, required surgery to remove a piece of rawhide from her stomach, so I am extra “chewsy” about what I give Henry. Thanks to glycerin in the ingredient list, I’ve found that Whimzees maintain a slightly more moist and chewy texture, and Henry usually relishes each one with small, safe nibbles instead of large chunks.
5.) A Variety of Sizes and Shapes!
I challenge you to find another dog chew on the market that you can purchase in so many fun shapes and sizes! My personal favorites are the alligator and hedgehog — check out all of the options here. Henry weighs 21 pounds and chews either the Small or Medium options, but Whimzees makes options for all sized pups. Be sure to choose the appropriate size for your dog and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Other Points To Note:
1.) Not Long Lasting
If I give Henry a Whimzee, I don’t anticipate that he’ll be occupied for too long. They work perfectly as a quick snack or distraction when I’m on the subway or need to briefly put him in his crate, but won’t keep him busy while I spend an hour editing photos like a bully stick might.
2.) I’m Honestly Not Sure How They Work As Dental Chews
Henry’s teeth are pretty clean, but we use a combination of Whimzees, other chews like bully sticks, toothpaste, and raw food to maintain them. Whimzees touts that the ridges, nubs, and hollow spaces massage gums and work in between teeth, and I can certainly see why it would be effective! I just can’t make promises based on Henry’s personal experience, because we don’t use them as his only plaque-fighting tool. Whimzees definitely don’t make his mouth and sloppy kisses reek like other chews do!
3.) May Cause Stomach Upset At First
Like any new food or treat, Whimzees might affect your dog’s digestion until he or she is used to them. Do note that I am NOT talking about the two weeks of crazy diarrhea that my sister’s dog had after a single bully stick — I’m talking about a couple of somewhat softer stools. Henry had a few after his first Whimzees, but this problem stopped almost immediately. Don’t worry! It may not happen to your pup and, as with any new food, you should introduce Whimzees gradually. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep it to one chew a day. It’s totally normal!
The Takeaway
I’m so excited to finally share Henry’s love affair with Whimzees with the world! We both truly love them, and they are the only treat or chew that I keep stocked at all times. Give them a try and follow Whimzees on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Enter to Win!
Because Henry loves his Whimzees so much, we want to share some with a lucky reader! The winner will receive EITHER three packages of four small toothbrushes OR two medium alligators. I will determine the style using your dog’s weight, so I will ask you to provide the weight if you win. USA only, 18+. Please only enter if your dog is the appropriate size for one of these options and choose the prize that matches their weight. Ends 9/22/16 at 12:00AM EST.
49 Comments
Hi Henry
Love to hear your opinion on Whimzee , we love the alligators
The Aligators or the tooth brushes!! but Mollie is not really particular, LOL
my dog Sally really likes theses treats, I like that they don’t stain my carpet when she eats them or have a strong odor. They seem to not upset her stomach.
We’ve never had a chance to try these chews, so I’m not sure what Bean and Yoda would prefer, but the Alligator is pretty fun looking!
Our favorite is the medium alligators!
They’re cute, aren’t they?
I’ve never heard of Whimzees before, but they look good. I’m sure my dog would enjoy these. We’ve never given our dog rawhide and hope others think twice about it as well. Your childhood dog should serve as a cautionary tale to dog owners.
I hope others will think twice as well – I’m surprised how many places still sell it. Some people don’t know the risks, or assume that everything has its risks and “what’s the difference?” Because of my experience, my household is strictly a no rawhide household!
Henry looks like one happy pup when chewin on those Whimzees! Nom nom nom! Our pups have tried them before and not quite their “favorite” but it does make them work harder to chew which I like…keeps them busy 😉
He certainly is a happy pup! 🙂 His favorites! I could see how some dogs might not like them – they are different from typical meat-based chews. For some reason, Henry goes NUTS!
I’ve never tried Whimzees for my pups! I will definitely have to look for them next time i go out to the pet store.
It was a big fan changer when I discovered them! 🙂
I think those are the cutest treats I have ever seen. The alligator is adorable. Henry probably wants you to write another review of them.
I think he does! 🙂 He’s such a huge fan – has been for a long time! The photo of him smiling next to the boxes sums it up perfectly.
Whimsies look like a great product – I love that they come in a range of different shapes from toothbrush to crocs.
I love the alligator! I have seen the toothbrush ones before, but I don’t know if I have seen the alligators. They are just too cute.
I love all the fun shapes they come in. Mr. N flat out refuses to eat them though. He only wants things with meat in them!
Ruby loves Whimzees, too! I am also a bit of a germaphobe so definitely appreciate that these are so safe. Also, love the different shapes and sizes.
I am sure Kilo the Pug would love these and I like the price and lower calories. He needs to chew a lot.
Good to see a balanced review. I’ve tried these and once again my picky schnoodle wasn’t that interested, but that’s common with him. He usually only chews anything if there’s another dog around. Otherwise he takes what I give him and ‘buries’ or hides it in the house somewhere. Love pulling back the covers of the bed in the guest room and finding a ‘surprise.’
Thank you! I try to always include both good and bad in my review – otherwise it’s just an advertisement, really. 🙂 Henry does that too with many of his chews! It’s so funny to find them later.
Have not tried these, will go to my local pet store to see if they have them
Good luck!
Have not tried these, will go to my local pet store to see if they have them
We can’t enter being in NZ but love your review. Comprehensive, honest and we LOVE the shapes of the chews. These should be a must have on any dog lovers shopping list.
Anything that, as you say, has a short list of ingredients means it’s going to be safer for a pet – THAT has to be a great thing!!
Oh and the pictures are adorable too 🙂
Aw, thank you! I try to include both sides in my reviews, good and bad. Otherwise it isn’t a true review, in my opinion! 🙂
Never tried them. Will definitely see if i can get them
Good luck!
My dog has never tried these but they are so darling looking, i love the shapes!!
Aren’t they adorable? The hedgehog would brighten any day!
How many Whimzees is too many per day?
Their website recommends 1 approprite sized. Whimzee orr day
In general, I would defer to their recommendation. On special occasions if I need to distract Henry (like a stressful subway ride), I might give him two or three. That’s rare, though, and I’m not a vet of course, so I officially would say to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Very cute. I like short ingredients lists too. I do love bully sticks but for our guys such things are just biscuits.
These look great! I love the size – my guys are all under 35# Plus, as a vegan I do love not having to handle ‘meaty’ chews BOL
I’ve never given my dogs Whimzees, but it is on the list of things to try! I like that they are vegetarian with a short list of ingredients.
They look super fun! Nice that they have limited ingredients and help clean teeth!
Good dental care is so important. I’m glad Henry is enjoying his snack.
I have heard great things about Whimzees from other dog bloggers in the past. They are cute shapes! I love the little alligator. It is too bad they don’t last longer for your Henry. They look like a lot of fun!
i like the small brush Whimzees. the alligator is cute but i think the small brush ones are better for small dogs.
As I told you on Fbk (I think!) Finndawg just loooves these… he & Henry MUST be soul-brothers!!
This sounds like a good alternative for bully sticks for dogs.
Henry is so adorable, and you are a gifted photographer. ☺ Love looking at those pics! My corgis love Whimzees, too. The gift shop at my local SPCA sells them and every now and then, I’ll pick a few up.
When we adopted Fig just a month ago her teeth where a mess! I don’t think she had ever had ANY dental care whatsoever. I’ve been brushing her teeth a couple times each week & have tried bully sticks & her teeth are finally getting much better! I would love to add Whimzees into the mix to help her even more! I’ve given a couple to Turbo before & he loved them! I have to pick some up the next trip to the pet store!
Parker isn’t picky and has loves every type of whimzees we have tried! I like the alligators though because they occupy her longer
I love that Whimzees are fully digestible and easy to chew 🙂 My favorite type of Whimzees chew is the small tooth brushes.
I have 5 chihuahuas, they are predisposed to dental problems,since I’ve been giving them whimzees twice a week,my vet told me,they have no dental issues!!no tartar,no plaque!!! Their teeth are perfect………so,you can call my vet,these treats are incredible,not to mention easy on small stomachs. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!!!
That’s AWESOME!!! So glad they are working such wonders for you! We definitely love them in this household 🙂
Anyone find the exact calories? Seems to be hidden by Whimzees manufacturer.
Amazon seller stated it’s 3.5 calories per gram & estimates 210 calories for a large.
That’s not “low calories” as stated in this article, is it?
Hi Erol, the “low calories” stated in the article is direct from Whimzees website and its marketing material. Still unable to find the calorie count (and the website seems to be glitching) but I’ll report back and edit the article once I learn anything. It’s frustrating for me, too! They’re made from all vegetarian ingredients, but with potato starch as a main base, if that helps.