HDP Lamb Ears Review: Size, Durability and Mess Issues

Data basis Dozens of customer-written reviews and several video demonstrations were analyzed between 2019 and 2025; most feedback came from written reviews, supported by a smaller number of videos and photo reports.

Why did my dog refuse or lose interest quickly?

Regret moment Many buyers reported seeing a dog ignore the ear within the first few minutes of offering it.

Pattern This is a recurring but not universal pattern reported across dozens of written reviews and videos; it is a primary dissatisfaction for buyers expecting uniform acceptance.

Usage anchor Appears at first offering, especially with picky eaters or small puppies.

Category contrast Typical mid-range chews usually have more consistent palatability; here the variability leads to wasted items and buyer regret.

Are the chews messy or greasy?

• Early sign: Residue on fingers or floor noticed immediately after handling.
• Frequency: Common in dozens of reports; described repeatedly across photos and video demonstrations.
• Cause: Soft texture or oil content that leaves crumbs and grease on surfaces.
• Impact: Extra cleanup after each treat and possible staining on furniture or carpets.
• Fix attempts: Paper towels and outdoor-only feeding were suggested by buyers but add time and hassle.

Do sizing and durability vary across the pack?

• First sign: Some ears are noticeably smaller or softer right out of the bag.
• Pattern: Persistent variability across dozens of reviews, labeled a primary complaint.
• When it shows: During first-week use as you sample multiple chews from the pack.
• Worsening condition: Frequent chews from a pack increase the chance you'll hit many low-durability pieces.
• Category contrast: Less consistent than the mid-range baseline where uniform size/density is expected.
• Hidden requirement: Hand-sorting may be needed to find longer-lasting pieces, adding hidden time and handling.
• Buyer cost: Higher effective cost when many chews are consumed quickly and perceived value drops.

Is there a smell, spoilage, or storage issue to watch for?

• Smell reports: Occasional strong odor noticed by several buyers on opening the pack.
• Frequency tier: Secondary pattern — less common than sizing or mess but persistent enough to note.
• When it appears: Right after opening and occasionally after long storage.
• Cause clues: Natural product variability can make some pieces smell stronger.
• Impact: Unpleasant handling and possible indoor odor if left out.
• Attempts: Refrigeration or keeping pack sealed are common buyer fixes but add effort.
• Edge risk: Mold or spoilage was rarely hinted at in a few reports, making this an edge-case concern for long storage.
• Category contrast: Less forgiving than typical treats that remain neutral-smelling and store easily.

Illustrative excerpts

"Illustrative: My dog turned away after a minute; wasted chew, messy residue." — primary

"Illustrative: Opened several small, soft ears — some were gone in five minutes." — primary

"Illustrative: Strong smell out of the bag, needed sealing and refrigeration." — secondary

Who should avoid this

• Owners of picky dogs — if consistent acceptance matters, this product shows variable results and wasted chews.
• Buyers wanting low mess — the grease and crumbs create extra cleanup compared with category norms.
• Shoppers needing predictable durability — inconsistent size and softness raise the effective cost and reduce value.

Who this is actually good for

• People feeding outdoors — if you accept extra mess, outdoor feeding neutralizes cleanup issues.
• Owners who rotate treats — if you accept some variability, this can be an occasional novelty chew.
• Buyers prioritizing origin — if Made in USA is important, you may tolerate the trade-offs.

Expectation vs reality

Expectation (reasonable) A mid-range chew pack should be predictable in size and dog acceptance.

Reality This product shows more variability than expected, causing wasted chews and extra cleanup.

Expectation Natural chews store without strong odors.

Reality Some buyers reported noticeable smell on opening and extra storage steps.

Safer alternatives

• Choose firmer chews — prefer options labeled for uniform durability to avoid rapid consumption.
• Buy smaller sample packs — test acceptance before committing to large, expensive packs.
• Prefer low-odor options — search for treats labeled low-odor if indoor use is required.
• Feed outdoors or on easy-clean surfaces — this directly neutralizes the mess problem.
• Inspect and sort — if buying this pack, plan for hand-sorting to find longer-lasting pieces.

The bottom line

Main regret The combination of inconsistent sizing and heavy mess is the primary complaint that reduces value.

Why worse than normal These issues appear more often than typical mid-range chews and introduce hidden costs like cleanup and wasted items.

Verdict Avoid if you need predictable, low-mess chews; consider smaller test packs or firmer alternatives instead.