It was a crisp Wednesday evening, and I was attending a mindfulness yoga class at the local park with my 3 dogs lounging contentedly in the grass nearby. We were taking in the sunset's pink and purple hues, feeling the chilled air enter our chest, and listening to the wind moving across the nearby line of trees.

Taking time to experience the world in the moment is important. After, it had me thinking about the unnatural crap we put in our bodies—social media, ultra-processed food, trendy supplements. Are they helping or hurting? Just because something is new or innovative doesn't always mean it's better. But at the same time, just because something is natural doesn't mean it's good either.

So, are all-natural dog bones actually better for dogs? That's what I was determined to find out.

What Are Natural Dog Bones?

When I talk about natural dog bones, I mean real bones that haven't been processed with a lot of preservatives, artificial flavors, or fillers. Ideally, they're a single ingredient—just a marrow bone filled with sweet, nutritious marrow.

These bones are farm-to-table. And I guess there are degrees of natural. Within that scale, I'd say the most natural ones are from grass-fed, pasture-raised beef herds. Because feeding cattle grain or keeping them in confined pins and cramped barns their whole life is very unnatural.

Now that we have a clear definition of natural, let's break these natural dog bones down to see what they're made of. And is it better than the less natural alternative?

Benefits of Dog Bones (Including the Unnatural Ones)

So, pretty much all dog bones are going to help dogs clean their teeth, although some of them have added sugar. To me, that cancels out the benefits. Most will provide some mental stimulation—although that might not last very long for the tough chewers like my lab mix Bruno.

They can ease anxiety and support mental health to varying degrees.

Then, there will be some nutrition in most dog bones—whether it's some protein or vitamins and minerals, sometimes from natural sources... others synthetic. But then that nutrition may also come with a lot of unnatural stuff that makes it less healthy.

Take the rawhide bone as an example. It seems pretty natural, doesn't it? But rawhide bones are made out of dried animal skin. Dogs, their wolf ancestors, do not eat dried animal skin. In fact, they try to avoid eating it when it's fresh, too, because it's not as nutritious as muscle and organ meats. It does have some protein.

But it gets worse. Rawhide is treated with potentially harmful chemicals, hydrogen peroxide, degreasers, detergent, bleach, salt, and formaldehyde. Some of these chemicals are volatile, so they evaporate, but formaldehyde, in particular, doesn't. And it's a known carcinogen that is best avoided.

You won't find ingredients like these in healthy bones for dogs.

Are Natural Dog Bones Better?

In contrast, you have natural dog bones. They're great for cleaning teeth and mental stimulation. Plus, they can stand up to tough chewing behavior when other dog bones can't.

They're single ingredient—grass-fed beef marrow bone. No fillers, preservatives, GMOs, or added sugar. These bones are filled with natural nutrients like collagen, which is great for joint health, and vitamin B12, which is crucial for energy. Healthy fats like omega 3, glucosamine, and calcium—and the list goes on.

No synthetic vitamins or protein supplements to try to increase the numbers.

They're also relatively low calorie with moderate fat, so even dogs who have been told by their caring dog doc that they need to shed a few can enjoy them in moderation.

They've got something else that fake bones can't replicate. They're covered in tasty meaty bits—100% real. Dogs absolutely love these morsels of taste and nutrition. It's like you're giving them a steak—without those ribeye prices.

The all-natural bones I buy undergo a slow and low-heat cooking process to preserve the nutrition and to make the bone last longer—up to two years, unopened.

And another thing. Most dog bones are single-use. Take one of those baked bones or a wood pulp bone. In most cases, you give them the bone...and they destroy it. And that's it. One bone, one use.

But when prepared correctly, a natural bone can last through many chew sessions. One of these all-natural dog chew bones typically lasts me months. I just freeze it between sessions and give each of my dogs one for 15-20 minutes. This ensures I don't spoil their dinner of veterinarian-approved kibble and aligns with American Kennel Club recommendations.

After several chew sessions, the marrow eventually runs out, and I make sure the party doesn't stop there. I can refill the bone with fillings like peanut butter and plain yogurt. You can find more recipes in this free, downloadable dog bone refill guide.

Are Natural Bones Safer?

The best natural bones for dogs are also safer. Many dog parents wonder, "Can dogs eat bones?" Yes, they can, but not all bones are created equal. All Natural bones must come from the right animals (beef cattle) and be prepared correctly (slow and low heat) to reduce the splintering and raw food risks of some bones. Finally, they have to be big enough for your dog. A whole all-natural dog bone is not digestible, so it would get stuck if it is too small.

Some dog bones are sourced from retired dairy cows. And that's bad! Older dairy cows have the same issues as some older human women. Bones get brittle. That's a safety issue. And a lot of times, they don't tell you about the package.

That's why I choose all-natural dog chew bones for a USA vendor that sources bones from grass-fed beef cattle born and raised in the USA. These are the best all-natural bones—by far. You'll see some all-natural dog bones on their Amazon page. But it's easy to choose by dog size.

Best All Natural Bones for Small Dogs (under 15lb)

Meaty riblets are great for those tiny K9s in our lives, including older puppies, as long as they're under 15lb. You'll find meaty riblets here.

Best All Natural Bones for Medium-Sized Dogs (15lb to 50lb)

The Dynamo bone is the perfect in-between for medium dogs and some large dogs who are on the border of being big and massive. These are some of our favorites since my dogs are medium and large. Plus, they're some of the easiest marrow bones to refill. Remember, these last up to two years, and stand up to aggressive chewing.

You can stock up on Dynamo Bones here.

Best Dog Chew Bones for Large Breeds (Over 50lb)

Sometimes, you just want to give your dog the biggest bone out there. Not only are big bones fun for large dogs, but they also look great in pictures for social media. The Goliath bone is one huge bone, covered in meaty goodness and filled with sweet, nutrient-rich marrow. Remember: one big bone can last a long time. And you'll want to check out the Jumbone bone here.

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