Beef Knee Caps for Dogs: Critics Ask Are They Worth the Chew?

   

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon of painting in the park with my dogs sitting contentedly. My lab mix Bruno had his meaty Jumbone, and my other two were happily gnawing on their beef knee cap bones for dogs—treats much smaller in comparison.

Some find it a comical sight. I'm here painting a lake and campsite landscape. And my dogs are focused on one purpose—getting as much of that sweet bone marrow out of the bone as they can before chew time ends.

Now, some see these humble little kneecaps, and they note their relatively small size compared to a Goliath bone my lab mix had. They ask: are beef knee caps for dogs worth it? Surely, it can't be as fun, nutritious, and long-lasting as a mammoth-sized meaty dog bone.

Here's what some are overlooking in the discussion and why the answer to that question should be "Absolutely".

What Are Beef Knee Caps?

They're healthy treats for dogs! That's what they are.

But to get technical...beef kneecaps are the patella bones at the base of the femur (thigh bone), similar to a human kneecap. It sits over the cow's forward-pointing stifle joint (knee joint) in its hind legs, protecting it from potential impact or dislocation.

Knee cap bones for dogs are thin but naturally durable because they serve this protective function for cow's "knee joint". They're dense and tough so that they can withstand aggressive chewing.

They're covered in nutrient-rich connective tissues and meaty bits. It's also filled with tasty and nutritious bone marrow. That butter marrow is loaded with collagen, healthy fats, plus vitamins and minerals that active dogs need to thrive.

Here’s why adding beef knee caps to your dog’s treat rotation can be a fantastic way to reward your fur babies.

• Supports Dental Health - The act of chewing scrapes plaque off your dog’s teeth, promoting fresher breath and better overall dental health. They cleaned up the teeth and bad breath of my terrier, Pixie!
• Promotes Joint Health - Beef knee caps are rich in natural glucosamine and chondroitin, two components known to aid joint health.
• Healthy Entertainment - Unlike a treat that’s devoured in seconds, knee caps provide long-lasting enjoyment that helps alleviate boredom. They can keep a dog busy for hours. But I'll share why that's not the best way to use knee cap dog bones in a bit.

Why Beef Knee Caps for Dogs Are Perfect for Medium Dogs

They're on the smaller side, around 3 inches. This makes them perfect for medium-sized pups like my terrier, Pixie. Smaller dogs and puppies can enjoy them, too, because the flatter shape allows them to get their jaws around the bone.

For this reason, I love beef knee caps for mixed-size households of small and medium dogs. You can get these in a bulk bag of 30. And each one will last through several chewing sessions. Just freeze it between to keep stuff from growing on it.

So, do they have as much bone marrow and nutrition as a big dog bone?

No. They don't. They're smaller. But small to medium dogs also can't eat as much as a much bigger dog.

Will you get as many chew sessions out of a kneecap as you will a much larger bone? Probably not.

But beef knee caps for dogs come in bulk bags of premium dog treats. Compare one bag to one bone of the same price, and my medium dogs get ample chew time with these smaller bones—plus the enjoyment of chewing a bone that's a more accessible size for their smaller jaws.

Can You Refill Beef Kneecap Bones?

Well, beef kneecaps probably aren't the best bone to refill after the marrow is gone. Now, don't get me wrong. They're flatter like a plate. So, you could slather some peanut butter or yogurt on the flat side. My dogs love it when I do this. It's an easy and fast treat.

But if you want dog bones, you can refill them with tasty treats after the marrow is gone. I'd choose the Dynamo Bone. It's got a large hollow area that you can squeeze or scoop into after the marrow is gone. This is a great way to get more chew sessions out of one bone.

And it helps your dog get the residual bits of marrow inevitably stuck to the insides of the bone when it seems they're empty.

Here are some of my favorite dog bone refill recipes and tips. It's a free gift, of course.

Are Knee Bones Safe for Dogs

Knee bones from cattle are safe for small to medium dogs under 50lb and puppies over 6 months. Patellas would be unsafe for big dogs like my lab mix Bruno. I never give a large dog like him a bone smaller than his head in one direction. He could swallow it and choke.

Bone density is also a matter of safety. Grass-fed beef bones from herds born and raised in the USA are my best bet for a structurally sound dog bone.

Unfortunately, many dog bones on the market come from dairy cows—but they won't tell you that on the package. Dairy cows spend their adult lives producing milk. Sadly, this does a number on their bodies. As they age, their bones become brittle with osteoporosis. On the other hand, grass-fed beef cattle receive a healthy, species-appropriate diet and are processed at around 29 months for beef. They have denser bones.

I also don't love raw dog bones for safety reasons. The American Veterinary Medical Association discourages raw food diets because of the safety risks. But at the same time, some cooked bones are risky. Dinner bones are dangerous because they've been exposed to high heat for too long and have become a fracture risk.

A slow and low-heat cooking process like the one performed by K9 Connoisseur is ideal for achieving the right density.

And finally, on the safety front, packaging and storage matters. Individually wrapped or tightly sealed can retain moisture for up to 2 years. This is critical for ensuring the bone is not dried out and brittle.

But ultimately, supervision is key. Though knee caps don’t splinter as easily as some other bones, always supervise your dog during chew time. This way, you can ensure they’re enjoying the bone safely and don’t break off any pieces that could be a choking hazard.

What Type of Bones Are Good for Dogs?

The dog bones are marrow-filled grass-fed beef bones. Beef bones are strong and can stand up to aggressive chewing. These bones last forever! Okay, not literally. But one bone equals many chew sessions. They're super-nutritious and the perfect healthy treats for dogs that deserve the best.

The best way to give a dog a marrow bone is in short chew sessions of 15-20 minutes a few times a week. This is plenty of time to maximize the nutrition, dental, and mental health benefits without spoiling their dinner. Learn more about the many benefits of chewing on bones in my recent post here.

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