A while back, our neighborhood hosted the regional “Big Dog Bash” at the park. People from all around town—and the greater area—came with their gentle giants – Newfoundlands, Great Danes, and Saint Bernards towering over every pup. Events include a strongest Sit & Stay contest as judges tried to distract the towering fur babies from their positions, a Big Bone Tug-of-War where dogs attempt to keep their bone tied to a rope while dragging the other dog out of their circle, Biggest Tail Wag, and the Behemoth-sized dog obstacle course that made me feel small.
Of course, my lab mix, Bruno, was small compared to some of the day's contestants. But we all showed up to show our support and hand out the prizes of oversized dog bones fit for giant paws! Watching these dogs gnaw on bones bigger than their heads had everyone laughing and snapping pictures. The Big Dog Bash had more than its share of curious questions about bones, too, which brings me to today’s topic: Are big bones good for dogs?
Why Big Dogs Need Big Bones
Large dogs have powerful jaws and an instinct to chew and chew—until there's nothing left. It takes a special kind of bone, a hefty, durable bone, to not only satisfy this natural urge but also to ensure they can chew safely. If the bone is too small, they might swallow it, creating a choking hazard. If it's too fragile, it might splinter and become sharp. It could tear their digestive tract.
Big bones are good for dogs because they provide mental stimulation, alleviate boredom, stop destructive behavior, and help dogs keep a healthy set of teeth and gums. Chewing is also important for jaw health as the gnawing action reinforces the bones and joints, strengthening the jawline, which is also important for dog posture and their sense of well-being.
Just like human gymgoers work out to maintain strong biceps, triceps, thighs, and glutes, dogs feel their best when maintaining a strong jaw.
At the end of the day, a bone that's too big for your dog is better than one that's too small.
Are Big Bones Good for Dogs?
Big dog bones are great for dogs. They have a lot of nutrition that can be lacking in a 100% kibble diet. Nutrients like healthy fats, collagen, B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium are prevalent in big bones if that dog bone is a big marrow bone. These nutrients further support jaw, brain, joint, heart, and skin health—just to name a few.
These boredom busters give your dog a healthy outlet for their boundless energy, which can stop destructive chewing in its tracks. For a large dog chewing on a big marrow bone, it's the thrill of the chase—a mental throwback to their hunting roots.
They will lick, gnaw, rotate, and paw at the bone, trying to get some bone marrow out. That marrow is a little sweet with a buttery texture.
This dog puzzle action feeds their ancestral need and delivers a bit of a dopamine hit. In moderation, dopamine is important for mental health. It can relieve stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Yes, my dogs have one of those too!
Scheduling regular chew times on big bones for dogs may assist with obsessive barking at every little noise. This can make sharing your home with a more nervous fur baby a little more enjoyable.
What Makes Big Bones Safe for Huge Dogs
First of all, bones for dogs need to be bigger than their head. For some dog breeds, this requires a massive bone. My neighbor's Great Dane puppy has already progressed to the biggest dog bones ever.
Fortunately, her head won't grow much bigger.
The right density is also critical for those tough chewers out there. Big dogs need bones that won’t shatter. Look for bones prepared through a low heat, slow-cooking process, which keeps them durable but safe. The right preparation maximizes the nutrition, kills the pathogens, and retains the meaty flavor dogs love.
Now, for me personally, I’m all about avoiding fillers and unknown additives, so sticking with single-ingredient bones like marrow bones for dogs is key. The bones I give my dogs come from grass-fed beef cattle.
Beef bones are stronger than retired dairy cow bones—what most dog bones are made from. And grass-fed bones have around 2-3X the omega 3 of conventionally raised cows.
But even with all of these precautions, it's important to give your dogs big, juicy bones in moderation. Dog bones should only be around 10% of the diet to avoid spoiling dinner or over-indulging. That equates to around 2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes. And that's enough time to get all the benefits of dog bones.
Bones can last for several weeks around our house using this schedule. And when the bone marrow is empty, I like to refill the dog bones with recipes from this free dog bone refill guide.
Can Small Dogs Have Big Bones for Dogs?
Small dogs are adorable with oversized bones. These massive bones make for incredible photoshoots, and you'll want to share them on social media. But to get the most out of dog bones, it's better to get a small bone for a small dog.
This allows that little dog to get their jaw up around the bone and ensures that they can get the marrow out.
The Best Chew Bones for Dogs
The best chew bones for dogs come from grass-fed beef cattle since cows have very big bones. They have no questionable ingredients but do have a long shelf life of up to 2 years. After you open them, you can stick them in the freezer in between uses so they can last long enough for your dog to get all of the marrow out. Here are some of my dogs' favorites.
Best Big Bones for Aggressive Chewers
For aggressive chewers, I’m a big fan of extra-dense bones like femurs or knuckle bones. They’re hefty enough to withstand even the most determined chewer. These bones also encourage good jaw strength and mental stimulation, which every high-energy dog loves. But since I have to pick just one here, I think Bruno would agree it has to be the Goliath Bone. This XL bone passes the endurance test.
You can find Goliath Bones here.
Best Big Bones for Photo Shoots
My dogs love to pose with their bones, so I want them to have the biggest and baddest-looking bones out there to get them photo-ready. The Jumbone is that bone. It's huge, and big dogs look great chomping down on it.
Best Big Bones for Teeth Cleaning
For teeth-cleaning in particular, you can't beat the Meaty Mammoth Knuckle Bone. It's large but also compact with lots of crevices, making it a maze of teeth-cleaning action. You can see these oversized knuckle bones here.
Bottom Line: Big Dogs Deserve Big Bones
Just like the Big Dog Bash, it’s all about celebrating the spirit and strength of our larger-than-life canine friends – and giving them a treat that’s up to the challenge!
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