Abstract: Pet chews comprising at least 50% by weight dried cheese powder, gelatin, and microencapsulated enzymes evenly distributed throughout the pet chew are characterized by a percent digestive degradation in the gastric phase of at least 50% and a Shore D hardness of at least 65, thereby providing a unique combination of durability and digestive degradability. Further, under compressive loads, the chews crumble into dull pieces, rather than sharp fragments capable of causing mouth and intestinal tract lacerations.