On a blustery Saturday morning, I was at the community center leading our annual composting workshop, where we shared our secrets to high box garden crop yields and the importance of balancing your browns and greens. Of course, the neighborhood dogs were invited.

My neighbor's energetic labradoodle, Baxter, had come along and was trying to turn my pile of old cardboard and freshly fallen leaves into his personal playground. I come ready for disturbances like these with healthy treats for dogs. I pulled one of my favorite alternatives to rawhide out of my satchel, and Baxter quickly found a corner to gnaw.

Why Avoid Rawhide?

Rawhide has long been a popular chew option for dogs. But it's not a real bone. And the process of making it involves chemical treatments that can be harmful. Many don't realize they use formaldehyde, bleach, and other harsh chemicals to dry and preserve animal skin. These can have long-term health effects, up to, and including promoting abnormal cell growth as a carcinogen.

Not to mention that rawhide is hard for many dogs to digest. It's true that it's mostly protein. But that protein is so ultra-processed and fibrous. Dogs have very short intestines compared to humans. They can't break down foods that take a lot of time to digest. So, they may end up passing chunks of bone whole. That can't feel good.

My lab mix, Bruno, can also destroy a rawhide bone in seconds. He's an aggressive chewer. That becomes a choking risk, in addition to not providing the hours of entertainment, stimulation, and plaque removal as a dog bone should.

It reminds me of the first time I encountered rawhide bones as a kid. My mom had just brought home a big rawhide bone from the grocery store for our German Shepherd, Shadow. She enthusiastically took the bone from my mom, and within minutes, we couldn't find half of it. After a while, we realized she'd swallowed half a bone, and because the bone had become unsafe, we had to take it away. I remember how disappointed my mom, brother, and I were—not to mention Shadow. We all thought she would get hours of chew out of that bone.

We were lucky that time. She didn't choke on the piece half the length of her head. But she could have, and we would have missed out on the many years we enjoyed with Shadow. She did end up passing the bone a day or so later, but that doesn't always happen. She could have ended up in the vet prepped for surgery.

This has probably shaped my view of rawhide today. Only later would I find out all the harmful chemicals in it.

That’s why I stick to rawhide alternatives that are healthier, more digestible, and just as satisfying for chewing. Plus, these alternatives don’t have the risk of hidden chemicals or processed fillers.

Best Rawhide Alternatives for Dogs

1. Marrow Bones for Dogs

Marrow bones for dogs are a classic, all-natural chew that provides all the satisfaction of rawhide without the downsides. Unlike rawhide, which has very little nutritional value, marrow bones for dogs are rich in collagen, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It's the nutritional supplement to kibble you're looking for. I go into the nutrition facts in my recent article: Not Like Other Treats. Check that out next!

This is a long-lasting chew. Not only do they last more than a few minutes. They can last hours, making them the perfect alternatives to rawhide for dogs.

Not only do marrow bones keep dogs occupied, but the marrow itself is irresistible for most dogs, and they will do anything to get to it. This makes marrow bones for dogs a very mentally stimulating puzzle game. I give dogs marrow bones 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week. This can deliver all the nutrition, mental health, and teeth cleaning benefits without the risks of biting through and swallowing the bone.

Pro tip: Freeze marrow bones to extend the chewing session and add a cooling effect for summer days.

Some of my dogs' favorite marrow bones include these Meaty Mammoth bones. They're big and sturdy enough for Bruno's oversized appetite for dog bones.

2. Beef Trachea for Joint Health

I like dog chew bones to serve as many functions as possible. Beef trachea is not technically a bone. But it is an all-natural, single-ingredient, long-lasting dog chew. They are mostly cartilage from the windpipe of grass-fed beef herds. Cartilage is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, known as joint-supporting nutrients.

In fact, I give beef trachea once a week. It has replaced my dogs' joint supplements. They're typically cheaper and more fun to chew, and they also deliver teeth cleaning and mental stimulating benefits.

They’re also softer than marrow bones, making them ideal for younger pups or dogs with sensitive teeth. Plus, the crunchy texture of the trachea satisfies dogs’ natural desire to chew without the risk of dental damage. It's never too early to start giving a dog trachea for healthy joints—as long as they have their adult teeth (around 6mo old).

And, of course, these treats can be a real lifesaver for dogs approaching senior years, like Bruno, who needs a little extra joint support these days. Big dogs are more likely to develop bone and joint issues.

3, Refilled Marrow Bones

A lot of people don't know this. But you can refill marrow bones once the nutritious marrow is gone. Clearly, dog bone fillings won't be as nutritious as bone marrow. But it's okay to have some variety in your dog's diet as long as the food is relatively healthy.

Pumpkin puree (not sweetened), plain yogurt, natural peanut butter (well-stirred), cheese and even berries can be good dog bone refill options. Get my tips, tricks, and best recipes in this free, downloadable dog bone refill guide.

This is a great way to save a little money by making one bone last longer.

I love the Dynamo Bone for my recipes. It's long, so I can stuff a lot of filling inside.

Final Thoughts from a Dog Mom Who Says No to Rawhide

Choosing digestible bones and chews over rawhide offers several benefits:

• Safety. They're digestible chews. That reduces the risk of blockages and avoids the long-term consequences of harmful chemicals.
• Nutritional Boost. Rawhide is devoid of nutrition! I expect more from healthy treats for dogs. Options like marrow bones, beef trachea, and even refilling a marrowbone with peanut butter are better nutritional options than rawhide.
• Dental Health. Chewing helps reduce plaque and tartar, keeping dogs’ teeth and gums in better shape while freshening breath. Now, a rawhide bone can clean teeth, but if you have an aggressive chewer, good luck with that. They destroy the bones in seconds. Not much time for cleaning action.
• Mental Engagement. These chews offer dogs a stimulating activity, reducing boredom and destructive behavior. Dogs feel rewarded every time they get a little marrow out. It's highly stimulating and supports mental health.

Plus, I find that my 3 dogs naturally gravitate towards chews that taste good and don’t have that processed texture that rawhide does. Do you have any other ideas for a rawhide alternative? I'd love to hear from you.

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