Reviewed by Natural Farm Pet Team · Updated January 2026
What are collagen sticks for dogs made of? High-quality collagen sticks are made from the "corium," which is the deepest, most elastic layer of beef skin. This single-ingredient tissue is naturally rich in collagen proteins, peptides, and amino acids. Unlike rawhide, which is made from the tough outer layer of the hide, beef corium is 100% digestible and provides immense benefits for a dog's joint health, skin, and coat.
You've likely heard the word "collagen" time and time again in advertisements for human beauty products and joint supplements. So, why is this specific protein becoming the most recommended ingredient in the dog treat aisle?
Most dogs aren't worried about wrinkles and aging, but the biological benefits of collagen go far beyond skin deep. This article breaks down the science behind what collagen chews are actually made of, how a dog's body processes them, and why they are taking over the natural pet market.
📖 In This Article:
What Are Collagen Chews Made Of? (The Science of Corium)
Collagen chews are single-ingredient treats made entirely from the inner layer of bovine (beef) skin, medically referred to as the corium.
The skin of cattle has multiple layers. The tough, stiff outer layer (the epidermis) is traditionally used by the leather industry to make boots, belts, and unfortunately, traditional rawhide chews. Rawhide has virtually no nutritional value and poses severe digestion risks.
The corium, however, is the thick, highly elastic connective tissue that sits underneath. It is structurally dense and composed almost entirely of natural collagen proteins. When this layer is cleaned and slowly baked, it hardens into a durable chew that is incredibly safe, nutritious, and fully digestible.
How Dogs Digest Collagen Peptides
Because the corium is a natural, unprocessed tissue, a dog's digestive enzymes can break it down quickly. As the dog chews and swallows small pieces of the collagen stick, their stomach acids convert the tissue into collagen peptides—which are essentially short, easy-to-absorb strings of amino acids.
Once digested, these peptides hitch a ride in the dog's bloodstream, traveling directly to the areas of the body that need cellular repair the most: the joints, the muscles, and the skin.
How Collagen Is Processed in Your Dog's Body
🦴 Chewing
Breaks down corium
→
🧪 Stomach Acids
Convert to peptides
→
🩸 Bloodstream
Amino acids absorbed
→
🔧 Cellular Repair
Joints, muscles, skin
The Physical Health Benefits for Dogs
By providing a rich source of bioavailable peptides, collagen chews support your dog's physical health from the inside out. Here is how those amino acids are utilized:
The Mental Benefits of Extended Chewing
In addition to being a nutritional powerhouse, collagen sticks are famous for their density. The corium is naturally tough, meaning these chews last significantly longer than many other treats. Fulfilling a dog's biological desire to gnaw has immediate behavioral benefits:
Anxiety Relief
Repetitive chewing releases endorphins, naturally calming nervous or high-energy dogs
Dental Health
Mechanical friction scrapes plaque and tartar off teeth, improving breath and gum health
Behavioral Redirection
A high-value, long-lasting chew deters destructive chewing habits around the house
🔑 Key Insight: Collagen sticks deliver both physical and mental benefits simultaneously — your dog gets joint support, skin nutrition, and dental cleaning while also reducing anxiety and destructive behaviors. No other single-ingredient treat covers this much ground.
For dog parents who read labels
You just read the science behind collagen. Most pet parents don't go that deep.
Once a week, we send our community one exclusive deal on grass-fed treats and chews — stuff that never hits the regular store.
Get Weekly Deals →How Do Our Collagen Sticks Stack Up?
Not all collagen is created equal. Natural Farm's Collagen Sticks are made from 100% grass-fed, free-range beef. We process the corium in our own human-grade food facility, using absolutely no chemicals, bleaches, or artificial preservatives.
Because of the superior density of grass-fed beef tissue, our collagen sticks offer a wide array of health benefits and keep dogs happily busy up to 20% longer than standard bully sticks. Want to treat your dog to a buffet of health benefits?
🐄 100% Grass-Fed
Free-range beef
🏭 Human-Grade
FDA-approved facility
🧪 Lab Tested
Quality & contamination
🚫 Zero Chemicals
No bleach or preservatives
Before we get into the FAQs — we send one exclusive deal a week to our community. Grass-fed treats, limited bundles, things the regular store doesn't carry. Join here if you're into that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are collagen sticks made of?
Collagen sticks are made from the corium — the deepest, most elastic inner layer of beef skin. This natural tissue is composed almost entirely of collagen proteins, peptides, and amino acids. It's a completely different material than rawhide, which is the tough outer layer of the hide processed by the leather industry.
Are collagen sticks digestible?
Yes — collagen sticks are 100% digestible. Because the corium is a natural, unprocessed tissue, a dog's digestive enzymes break it down quickly into collagen peptides (short amino acid chains) that are absorbed into the bloodstream and used for cellular repair in joints, muscles, and skin. This is the opposite of rawhide, which swells and cannot be digested.
What is the difference between collagen and rawhide?
They come from different layers of bovine skin and are processed completely differently. Collagen chews are made from the corium (inner layer), which is naturally rich in protein and fully digestible. Rawhide is made from the epidermis (outer layer), which is a leather industry byproduct often treated with bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and formaldehyde. Rawhide is not digestible and can cause choking and intestinal blockages.
Do collagen sticks help with joint pain in dogs?
Yes. Collagen acts as the structural "glue" that holds cartilage together. The peptides from collagen chews travel through the bloodstream to areas needing repair, helping reduce joint inflammation, relieve stiffness, and increase mobility. This makes collagen sticks especially beneficial for senior dogs and breeds prone to hip dysplasia or arthritis.
How long do collagen sticks last compared to bully sticks?
Grass-fed collagen sticks are denser than standard bully sticks and typically last up to 20% longer. Exact chew time depends on your dog's size and chewing intensity. For maximum duration, braided collagen sticks offer even longer chew sessions due to their woven structure. Both are fully digestible and safe, so the best choice depends on your dog's preference.
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About Natural Farm
Want to see what goes into making our treats? Watch how Natural Farm brings premium, all-natural dog chews from farm to your front door:
In 2018, after years of searching for high-quality natural dog treats and coming up short, we decided to make them ourselves. Natural Farm was born out of a simple idea: dog chews, treats, and bones should be sustainably sourced, produced in human-grade FDA- and USDA-approved facilities, and lab tested for quality. No exceptions.
We're committed to pets, people, and the planet — giving back to communities, supporting reforestation, and packaging everything in recycled materials.
