Many thanks to Joy Eriksen for sharing this article with me. Joy is a CSAN if you need help feeding raw!
Read the Article Here: Functional Significance and Welfare Implications of Chewing in Dogs
TLDR Bullet Points:
1. Denying dogs chewing opportunities may pose welfare concerns.
2. The shearing/abrasion forces during chewing help clean teeth surfaces and may reduce periodontal disease risk.
3. Chewing on harder substrates may stimulate bone remodeling in the jaws, strengthening bony architecture.
4. Chewing helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, reduces stress, and provides an outlet for behavioral motivation.
5. Chewing is a biological need for dogs.
6. Chewing appears to be biologically beneficial and likely essential to both physical and psychological well-being in dogs.