Best Dog Chews for Large Dogs (Surprise They're Bones)
I'm finishing up some last-minute yard work, as I get ready to have the family over for a big holiday cookout. It's a warm sunny day, perfect for grilling and good company.
Big cookouts require a lot of planning. It's not the same as my partner grilling steaks for just the two of us on a Saturday evening. We're bringing out all the stops this time with juicy hamburgers, corn on the cob, cole slaw, and apple pie. Big celebrations deserve that extra attention, just like big dogs need the best dog chews for large dogs. My furry kids have special requirements and not just any dog bones will do.
Why Large Dogs Have Big Needs
While I string up some garden lights and check the picnic table cloths for moth holes, I watch my gentle giant lab mix from a distance. I just gave him a meaty mammoth dog bone. Even from here, I can see the power in his jaw. He's an aggressive chewer and big dog bones like this one are the only thing he can't tear apart in seconds.
For large dogs like him, most synthetic dog chews won't last a minute. If I look away, then back, and it's in pieces. Those pieces become a choking risk. Besides, I'd rather keep my dog on an all-natural diet—like my human family.
Big dogs have powerful jaws. They chew on hard objects to keep strong. My dining room table and I learned the hard way what my dogs would chew on if their pet parents didn't meet this primal need.
Real beef dog bones are big enough and strong enough for large dogs.
First, Why Real Bones?
The TV trope about dogs and bones is no mistake. Bones are what dogs want. And I'd take it a step further and say it's what they need.
All dogs have a natural chewing instinct that the modern kibble diet does not satisfy. This drive comes from the need to keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy, much like years ago when I made my kids brush their teeth until it became a habit.
You may have noticed that when you give a dog a bone, they gnaw at different angles and intensities. That's intentional. The chewing action massages their gums and cleans plaque off their teeth. In the wild, healthy teeth and gums mean survival.
In fact, one study found a 70.6% percent reduction in plaque buildup after 12 days of chewing on beef leg bones.
You've probably seen the studies that link dental health to heart health in humans. Dogs have the same mechanisms. Keeping my sweet pups' mouths clean is one way I can support their overall health.
Marrow bones also contain significant nutrition that dogs don't necessarily get in their diet, including collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These nutrients are important for skin, bone, and joint health. The best dog bones also have calcium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, E, and D.
Best Dog Bones for Large Dogs: What to Look for
Choosing dog bones for big dogs comes down to 4 primary characteristics.
- Durability: Beef bones for dogs are a top choice because they are just the right density to support dental health without shattering.
- Size: Bones from cattle are also larger than other animal bones, so my dog can't accidentally swallow them or choke.
- Safety: All bones need to be cooked to eliminate pathogens that could make me, my family, or one of my dogs sick. But a slow and low-heat process is important to avoid making the bone fragile.
- Nutrition: Dog bones don't just taste great to dogs. And I go a step further and buy grass-fed beef bones only.
Best Dog Chews for Big Dogs
Now, a look at some of my favorites and why I call them the best bones for dogs of sizable stature.
Best Dog Chews for Aggressive Chewers 50lb Plus
This natural dog bone comes from USA-raised, grass-fed cattle. This meaty marrow-filled femur bone is 30% protein, which comes mostly from collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies. It's built to last for hours.
You can find the Meaty Champ Bone here.
Best Looking Dog Chews
This one has all the benefits mentioned above, plus I just like the way it looks. It's a massive bone with lots of crevices for teeth cleaning.
My lab looks so happy with this bone. They belong together.
Most Interesting Dog Bone
By most interesting, I mean it has the most crevices and features. If dogs ruled the world and invented the toothbrush, this is probably what it would look like. It's also naturally filled with nutritious marrow from USA-born and raised, grass-fed cattle.
Plus, I like the price point. At around $15, it's a low commitment if you're new to buying real bones for your dog.
How to Use the Best Dog Chews for Large Dogs
Bones can serve as a healthy reward during training sessions. Reinforce desired behavior while teaching commands. And have your pup looking forward to their next training sessions, developing a positive association with you and complying with their training.
When teaching a new trick or behavior modification, offer the bone in exchange for the desired behavior. Help them make a clear connection between the behavior and the treat. Move from immediate to intermittent reward so that they will continue to perform the behavior even if they don't get rewarded every time. A durable dog bone can keep your pup focused.
Offering a bone is also an excellent strategy to curb destructive behavior. Dogs also chew to self-soothe and alleviate boredom. It's like playing a game of Wordle if they could use a smartphone. The chewing healthily redirects their chewing impulse, so they feel more content and well.
Free Marrow Refill Recipe Guide
Tips for Large Dog Bone Safety
Even the best dog chews for big dogs are a "sometimes treat". They should not be a significant portion of your dog's diet. Even though they have a lot of nutrition, they aren't a balanced diet. Give your dog their bones 2–3 times a week for 15–20 minutes. That's enough time for your dog to get the benefits of the best bones for dogs. Plus, it allows the bone to last longer.
Appropriately size the bone and ensure it's been properly prepared. The best preparation is a slow, low-heat process such as hickory smoking. The heat is enough to kill pathogens and eliminate undesirable smells, but like people's food, it also brings out the flavors.
Also, never leave your dog unattended. Even the best bones for dogs can break when chewed on long enough. When a bone starts breaking apart, it's time to get a new one. I give my dogs their bones while I'm working out in the garden. They sit under the big maple and chew away while I plant, weed, and harvest.
Happy Chewing Makes for Happy Hosting
As my family and friends start to arrive for our cookout, I give my dogs their bones. It helps reduce over-excitement when they see my kids driving in from college. It keeps them safe and satisfied while we enjoy our people food. And I don't feel as guilty not giving them unsafe bones from the cookout because I know they already have the best beef bones for dogs.
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