Dog Bones for Large Dogs: Here's What I Choose for My Pack
So, the other day, I was outside in the backyard, watching my dogs race around. It's like a daily mini-Olympics with my lab mix taking the gold in speed, and my terrier going for "most enthusiastic." My other guy? He's more into power chewing. Naturally, I had to get them some dog bones for large dogs that would stand the test of their teeth.
You might also be interested in reading How to Choose Dog Bones for Aggressive Chewers (Large Dogs)
Why It's Important to Pick the Best Dog Bone
If you're like I once was, maybe you just think of a dog bone as a fun treat. It's okay. Life is about learning new things. I'm glad you're here.
Or maybe I'm preaching to the choir here. You understand why dogs need dog bones.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), bones are an excellent source of minerals and other essential nutrients for good health. Chewing bones also boosts saliva enzymes and helps prevent gum disease and plaque from building up on the teeth. Bones also relieve separation anxiety and bust boredom.
However, picking the best dog bone for your pup is an important task because the right dog bones have a lot of health benefits that the wrong ones don't. I also want them to be safe, healthy, and not too smelly!
All bones don't have these benefits. And I've learned through trial and error that the wrong bones can splinter or be too small. That's why I pick durable, natural dog bones.
Are Large Bones Safe for Dogs?
Yes, large bones can be safe for dogs, but it depends on several factors.
I only buy natural bones from reputable sources, such as Goliath beef marrow bones. They're excellent for large dogs. They help clean teeth, keep my dogs entertained, and support their nutritional needs. However, I always supervise my dog while they're chewing, and I do discuss my dog chew choices with our family vet to ensure the bone is suitable for my dog's specific needs.
How to Pick Extra Large Dog Bones for Large Dogs
Here's the thing—when it comes to choosing healthy and safe bones, there are a few properties I always look for:
- Size of bone: Bones shouldn't be too small. Otherwise, they're a choking hazard. Go with one that is big enough that it can't entirely fit into your dog's mouth. Of less importance, it's also best if they're not too big for your dog. Take my terrier Pixie, for example. She's very mid-sized. And she can't easily get her mouth around a bone that's too big. I want to see her getting all of that jaw-strengthening action going. Dogs love to chomp down, so I certainly don't want to deprive her. So, large bones are great. But there are degrees of big dog bone, for sure.
- Ingredients: Avoid too many ingredients and ones you've never heard of. A good rule of thumb is that if there's a long list of ingredients, there are unnecessary and possibly unhealthy fillers and preservatives you want to avoid. That's why I love K9 Connoisseur's single-ingredient bones. Just one thing: you get grass-fed cattle bones.
- Quality: High-quality dog bones have healthy ingredients and are typically made in the United States from grass-fed animals.
- Flavor: Sure, I'm not the one chewing the bone, but watching my dogs go wild for a hickory-smoked treat is pretty rewarding. It's like Christmas morning for them, except we have chew time 2-3 times a week. My dogs drool over bone marrow! It's sort of sweet (naturally), but loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. I can feel good about giving my dogs these dog treats.
- Durability: Trust me, I know how strong my dogs' jaws are. As so does the leg of my once beautiful brand-new walnut dining room table. Sigh. I need bones that are dense and won't fall apart in minutes, so my dogs steer clear of the furniture.
Different Types of Dog Bones for Large Dogs
With so many types of dog bones, it can be hard to decide which one to pick. Here's a quick rundown of some popular ones:
- Bully Sticks: Bully sticks are a single-ingredient chew that varies in size. They're soft and easily digestible.
- Beef Trachea: You should try trachea chews. They're a healthy chew that's easy to digest and offers various benefits for dogs.
- Rawhide: Rawhide is a popular chew but isn't necessarily safe. These are made from the horse or cowhide, and the pieces can break off, resulting in a choking hazard. It's also difficult for dogs to digest rawhide, and it's especially not the best for pups with a sensitive stomach. On top of that, there is no nutrition in these except for some protein. So, hooray for protein! But there are more nutritious—and my dogs would argue tastier—options. My pups' wild dog ancestors would not eat this if they had a choice.
- Antlers: Many people who have large dogs like antlers because they're long-lasting. With that said, they're usually too hard and can damage teeth.
- Natural dog bones: A simple, natural dog bone that's flavorful and safe is one of the best kinds of bones you can give your pup. We'll share our favorite below!
Large Meaty Bones for Dogs of Substantial Size: Here's What I Choose
My favorite delicious and healthy bone for large dogs is the K9 Connoisseur Meaty Marrow Filled Natural Dog Bones. This bone is perfect for dogs over 50 pounds. It's healthy, delicious, and even stands up to the most active chewers.
Marrow-Filled Meaty Bones for Large Dogs
Here's why I love K9 Connoisseur's Meaty Marrow Filled Natural Dog Bones, and I think they're a great option for my sweet furry friends!
They're Made with Just One Ingredient.
One of the hardest parts about choosing dog bones is not being sure about what's in them. These natural dog bones are single-ingredient, only made with grass-fed cattle from USA beef cattle ranches.
While many dog treats and bones are labeled as natural, they may still have genetically modified ingredients. However, K9 Connoisseur are truly all-natural and don't contain any preservatives, artificial flavoring, or unnecessary fillers.
They're Healthy.
These natural dog bones made of only one ingredient, grass-fed cattle, make for a seriously healthy treat. In fact, bone marrow is filled with the good stuff like collagen, vitamins, and protein. They have a minimum of 30% protein each, helping keep your pup strong and lean.
They're Durable.
If you're looking for dog bones for large dogs, there's a good chance you need ones that are durable. These bones are dense and thick, so they stand up to even the most active chewers. As we mentioned, durability is important for safety as you want to ensure pieces don't break off and cause your k9 to choke.
Now, I want to emphasize that I said these bones come for "beef cattle". Some dog bones come from dairy cows after they stop producing milk. I love the sustainability aspect of this since dairy farmers cannot afford to continue feeding a cow after they stop producing. But the problem is that dairy cows are older than beef cows. And like us humans, older can mean weaker bones. I buy bones from cattle that are no older than 29 months for this reason. Don't worry. That is a full-grown cow. This is the usual age when they are processed for those all-beef burgers my family loves to grill.
They're Ideal for Large Breeds.
It can be tricky finding bones big enough for large breeds because bones shouldn't be able to fit into your dog's mouth. These bones are perfect for big dogs between 50 and 99 pounds. They also have bones for mid-sized breeds and small breeds, so be sure to check the description.
Dogs Love Them.
Whether your pup gets bored easily, suffers from anxiety when left home alone, or simply enjoys a good treat, they're sure to love these nutrient-packed meaty marrow-filled bones. They're hickory smoked and lock in the delicious flavors k9s can't get enough of.
Once the marrow is gone, you can even refill it with tasty dog-approved recipes from my free marrow bone refill guide.
Dog Parents Love Them.
So, why do pet moms and dog dads highly approve of these natural dog bones? Not only are they healthy, but they're also odor-free and long-lasting. You don't have to get away from the smell of these and you can rest easy that this bone will entertain your pup for a long time.
Bonus: They're individually wrapped and have a shelf-life of up to 2 years!
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