The Best Dog Bones for Tough Chewers
Picking out dog toys can be so hard when there are so many options to choose from. If your dog is small or is a light chewer, then you can just pick out the ones you like the best and your dog will enjoy them too. But if your dog is a tough chewer, it can be hard to find a toy that will stand up to the test of your dog’s strong jaw.
What’s the Safest Bone for Aggressive Chewers?
No Rawhide
When people think of a chew toy that can withstand aggressive chewing, they often think of rawhide. However, they aren’t actually the best option for dogs who need something to gnaw on. Here are some of the potential problems:
- Choking Hazard – Rawhide can break into slivers and pieces, posing a significant choking risk.
- Digestive Issues – Some dogs may have trouble digesting rawhide. This could lead to digestive blockages.
- Chemical Processing – You may think they’re automatically all natural, but rawhide is often processed with chemicals that can be harmful to a dog’s health.
- No Real Nutrition – Rawhide generally lacks significant nutritional value. With minimal protein and fiber, there is no benefit.
Rawhide bones are supposed to break apart, but vigorous chewing is a level that strips rawhide of its benefits and leaves only the negatives behind.
No Synthetic Dog Bones
Synthetic bones are made of harmful materials such as plastic, nylon, or rubber. You might see some manufacturers using vitamins, dental health additives, and minerals to try and enrich the nutritional value of the “bones,” but they can’t hold up to a healthy diet. Here are some problems we see with synthetic dog bones:
- Artificial Ingredients – Synthetic chews often contain artificial flavors, colors, and harmful chemicals.
- Durability Issues – While some synthetic chews are durable, others can break into small pieces that pose choking hazards. If ingested, they could lead to digestive issues.
- Lack of Nutritional Value – Unlike natural bones (such as elk antlers), synthetic chews don’t provide any nutritional benefits. Even the added ones don’t provide the essential nutrients found in natural options.
No Wood Pulp Dog Bones
As far as non-natural bones go, wood pulp is at least made of natural materials. In fact, dogs play with and chew on sticks all the time. It’s natural behavior! However, vets often recommend that dog owners refrain from allowing their dogs to chew on sticks all the time. They can damage teeth and splinter. Here is a summarized look:
- May Splinter – Spliters could cut up your dog’s mouth, throat, and stomach
- May Damage Teeth – Teeth need to last forever. We want to take good care of them!
- No Nutrition – Wood pulp has no nutritional value whatsoever.
No Raw Dog Bones
Beef marrow bones are something that dogs used to (and always will) consume in the wild. There is a lot of good in bone marrow, such as the nutritional benefits, as well as dental assistance. Still, they’re not the best option for those dogs who chew constantly and aggressively. Here is why:
- Bacterial Contamination – As with anything raw, you run the risk of exposing your dog to harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella. By risking your dog, you also risk people! If you are going to risk it, at least make sure your dog keeps the bones outside in a designated area. And no licking faces!
- Choking and Splintering – All raw bones can splinter and break. These smaller pieces could lead to choking or mouth and throat injuries.
- Digestive Issues – Raw bones are a hearty, sometimes challenging food for a dog. Their digestive system might not react well, which could lead to blockages or gastrointestinal problems.
No Cooked Bones
Cooked marrow bones can cause similar problems as uncooked marrow bones, just in a different format. If bones are cooked too long, they become brittle. If they’re not cooked long enough, they stay too hard and damage teeth. If you’re someone who cooks bone broth, we do not recommend giving the leftover bones to your dogs, as it’s hard to know if they’re safe.
Professionals can test bone safety, and if you have the equipment and expertise for that, then there could be many benefits in giving your dog bone marrow bones.
To help you find the best bones for your pup, the Sit Means Sit team compiled a list!
Natural Marrow Bone
Not only are these bones inexpensive, but they are super tough too. These three-inch roasted marrow bones are free from artificial colors or flavors and have a rich, meaty flavor that your dog will love. Your dog will be occupied for a very long time with these study bones.
Smokehouse Femur Bone
These natural bones are cooking in their own juices to enhance the smell and flavor for your dog’s enjoyment. While they will enjoy chewing on this hardy bone, you will also enjoy the added benefit of teeth cleaning with this bone. As your pup chews, this bone will help remove any tartar and plaque build-up on their teeth, leaving them happier and healthier!
Nylabone Ring Dog Chew Toy
This tough chew toy was built to stand up to even the toughest of chewers. It is infused with chicken flavor to entice your pup and fight boredom for hours. It has a multi-texture design to help clean your dog’s teeth and comes vet-recommended, so you can feel good about what you are giving your dog.
Water Buffalo Horn
This sturdy treat is an excellent alternative to rawhides and is a wonderful gluten and grain-free chewing option. It is a natural source of calcium and phosphorus and will keep your dog occupied for a long time as they try to gnaw away at this hard material.
Bully Sticks
These 100% beef chews are perfect for all breeds and dog sizes. They offer your dog an authentic meaty flavor that will give them a good dose of protein with little fat. The texture can remove plaque and tartar, and your dog will be encouraged to chew by the continual delicious smells and flavors.
It can be hard to find durable chew toys for tough chewers, but we hope this list gave you a few ideas to help keep Fido busy. For more toy ideas, check out these durable dog toys for even the toughest chewers.