Are Marrow Bones Okay for Puppies? Here’s the Triple Word Score!  

My spouse and I had a few friends over the other night for a game of Scrabble. We were all gathered around the table, snacks spread out, and words flying, when my friend Will looked over at me and said, "Oh, you're going to like this one, Dawn., right before he played the word "Marrow" on a double word.

And we all laughed so hard it hurt because all my friends know what a hit marrow-filled dog bones are around our house. As the giggle energy faded, Lisa mentioned that her daughter had just gotten a new puppy. And Will's word reminded her that she was supposed to ask me a question: Are Marrow Bones Okay for Puppies?

Ah, marrow bones for puppies. Here's what I had to say.

Are marrow bones okay for dogs?

Let's start here. A puppy is a dog, after all.

Absolutely, yes, and ye-e-s-s! Dogs can have marrow bones. They are one of the most nutritious and health-promoting dog treats out there. But there are a few caveats for safety.

1. They need to be the right size. If they're too small, they become a choking hazard. If they're too big for your dog to carry and get their jaw around, what's the fun in that? Just the other day, my friend Lisa's Great Dane Bella tried to grab one of my terrier's dog's bones off the middle dinner table—because no vertical space is safe with a Great Dane around. I had to swoop in quickly and tempt her with a much bigger bone to get her to drop it.
2. They need to be the right density. So, not too hard—they could break teeth. But not so soft that they shatter. That could cause tears in the digestive tract. Chicken and turkey bones are notorious for this but any overcooked bone can cause this problem. To get the right density, bones should come from cattle that are on the younger side, around two years. Don't worry; two years is not a calf. That's a full-grown beef cow.
And the bone must be prepared with a slow and low heat cooking process by professionals who know how to achieve the perfect hardness. So, no dinner bones. No bones you just used to make bone broth. No boiled bones. Those will all be too soft.
3. And finally, I always supervise. Whether I give a marrow bone to a puppy or one of my grown dogs, I want to stay close to them because any treat can become a choking hazard.

But is it worth it? My dogs have never been healthier, happier, or more energetic. These really are the best chew bones for dogs.

With that out of the way, puppies are different.

So let's look at the added precautions you need to take when you give a puppy delicious, nutritious marrow bones.

Can puppies have marrow bones?

Well, here's the deal. Marrow bones for puppies can be a bit tricky. They're fantastic for older dogs, but for the little ones? I did hesitate, and for good reason.

Puppies that are too young have these sharp little teeth that are pretty fragile. Giving a puppy a hard bone can sometimes do more harm than good. It's best to wait until they're closer to six months old and have all their adult teeth. You should always ask your vet if you're unsure if the adult teeth have come.

Even then, I supervise like a hawk.

You see, puppies are like our kids when they were small. They're inexperienced with bones (the puppies, I mean). They're learning how the world works. So they might do something dangerous like try to swallow the whole thing.

Of course, you should ensure the bone is big enough to make this impossible. But a determined little puppy will find a way!

Why You Should Wait

So, if you have a little puppy and they're just soooo cute, please be responsible. Don't give them a marrow bone just to take a pic for their new Instagram. It's cute. And yes, that update would probably get a lot of love. But it's not safe and it's not worth the risk until they reach the right age.

When it comes to puppies and marrow bones, patience is key. I remember when my Bruno was just a pup; I wanted to give him everything right away. But bones can be risky if their teeth aren't fully developed. You don't want any broken teeth or upset tummies. Instead, stick to softer chew toys and puppy-specific treats until they're a bit older.

But what if you just can't wait? Here's what I'd recommend.

Now, Bruno was adopted from the shelter where I volunteer a few times a year, so I didn't know his dog's momma. But if I had, I would have wanted to treat her to tasty marrow bone instead. She was grown up and could pass all of that nutrition on to her puppies through milk. Plus, I would want to thank her for giving me the greatest girl's best friend ever—Bruno.

Don't tell my terrier, Pixie, I said that.

Best Puppy Chew Bones: My Picks

Once they are old enough, think back to the dog bone safety rules. It needs to be the right size and correct density. I also choose grass fed dog bones because they're higher in Omega 3s and lower in fat.

Meaty Riblets

These are ribs sliced to the perfect size and slow low heat smoked to the perfect density. This preparation retains all of the tasty meat bit and nutrition but kills pathogens that could be harmful to a puppy. They also come from grass-fed cattle born and raised in the USA. That means they have more omega-3 healthy fats and less saturated fat.

When I've had puppies in the past, I always wanted to ensure I gave them the best nutrition I could.

You can find meaty riblets here. Tell me what you think about that price. I'm used to paying a lot more for people's health foods.

K9 Delights

These come from the same company, K9 Connoisseur, so also grass-fed and all that. You can find them here. But what I really like about these is that they're very refillable. I'll explain.

Marrow bones can last a very long time. A gnawing session should only be about 20 minutes. After that, you put the bone in the freezer and then bring it back out a few times a week. So, one bone can last a very long time.

But the fun doesn't have to stop there. You can refill marrow bones with tasty dog treats. This isn't as healthy as marrow. But it's okay to treat dogs who normally eat a healthy diet. Here are some of my best marrow bone refill recipes for free.

Puppies and Marrow Bones: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

For me they do. I don't have any puppies right now. But as I told Lisa, when I have had puppies in the past, marrow bones were definitely on the menu.

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