8 Best Dog Bones for Medium Dogs: Healthy Treats for Happy Hounds
Last Saturday morning, as I watched Bruno, my lively lab mix, and Pixie, my spirited terrier, romp around the backyard chasing each other’s tails, I realized (not for the first time) just how important it is to find the right dog bones for medium-sized dogs.
With my human kids now in college and plenty of time to spoil my furry trio, I’ve become quite the expert on what keeps them happy and healthy. So, if you’re on the hunt for the perfect bone for your medium-sized pup, you’re in the right place! In this article, I'll share the best dog bones for medium dogs.
Spoiler: They're all healthy and delicious.
When choosing the right dog bone, there are a few things to consider. I'll give some helpful information for this, answer a few important questions, and tell you about my favorite medium dog bones.
Related Read: The Best Natural Dog Bones (With FAQ)
Why Give a Dog a Bone?
Did you know that we don't just give our dogs bones because they enjoy them? There's so much more to it! Bones are an excellent way to entertain dogs who may suffer from separation anxiety. It promotes wellness and reduces acting out. Gnawing is the instinct of a dog.
It's like scrolling through social media for a dog. They must do it now and again to feel happy and healthy.
Dog bones also reward pups after a training session or showing desired behavior. Then my favorite reason to use dogs bones is simply to show some love.
Another reason bones are great for dogs is that the act of chewing can actually improve dental health by getting rid of tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth. And all-natural bones are best because they prevent more bacteria from building up on your dog's teeth and gums. I've actually seen some good studies on this.
Why Does Dog Bone Size Matter?
The size of a dog bone matters because if it's too small, it can be dangerous for your pup and be a choking hazard. Imagine Bruno trying to gnaw on a tiny treat—chaos would ensue!
Now, Pixie isn't as big as Bruno, but she's not a tiny dog you can fit into my hand. She'd have something to say if I tried to squeeze her into one of those little sparkly dog carriers you can tuck under your arm. She's over 15 lb and a distinctly mid-sized dog.
So, if it tried to give her a bone intended for an itty, bitty dog—for example, the meaty beef riblet, we could be in trouble. She might swallow it–and choke.
In fact, a bone should be about the size of your K9’s head or large enough that it can't fit into your dog's mouth whole.
But at the same time, I don't want the dog bone to be massive. As adorable as it would be to see her gnawing on a bone that's almost as big as she is, like the Goliath bone I often give Bruno, we'll reserve the cuteness of her trying to get her little arms up around that dog bone for Instagram. If she can't get her jaw around the bone, she won't get the full benefits of eating a marrow-filled bone.
Below, we'll share bones specifically made for medium dogs up to 50 pounds.
How to Choose the Right Dog Bone for Medium Dogs
When choosing dog bones for medium dogs, there are several things to consider aside from size to ensure that it's safe and healthy for your pup. I've created a little checklist, and I use it every time I'm considering a dog chew bone or dog treat.
Here’s what a pet parent should consider when picking out their dog's bone:
- Ingredients - The fewer ingredients, the better. I choose beef dog bones for medium dogs with limited ingredients and avoid unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients like preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors.
- All-natural - While we often opt for all-natural bones for our dogs, make sure you know what that really means. "All-natural" can still have genetically modified ingredients, added sugar, palm oil, and other things that don't really meet my definition of natural and probably not yours. You can avoid this by opting for bones made of grass-fed or free-range animals. Generally speaking, if a local rancher is going to go out of their way to raise cows as nature intended in a pasture, they're also not going to put other unnecessary ingredients in their finished product.
- Source location - To ensure you're buying high-quality dog chews, I recommend going with locally sourced bones made in the United States. The FDA regulates dog food in the US. Plus, it has less distance to travel through many hands where things might get added to it.
- Bone density - While durable bones are key, you want to make sure it's not hard enough to damage your dog's gums or teeth. The preparation process matters. Ideally, that's a slow and low-heat cooking process that doesn't make the bone too soft.
- Dogs' preferences - Of course, you want your dog to love their new bone. So, consider their preferences when choosing their next dog bone. Dogs almost always love beef chews!
- Steer clear of rawhide - I know rawhide bones seem natural. But they're not what you think. I shared what's really in them in this post over here. Check it out next.
Now it's time for the good stuff! The best dog bones for medium dogs.
7 Best Dog Bones for Medium Dogs
It's no secret that I'm partial to K9 Connoisseur dog bones. It's a brand that checks all of my boxes and more. They're dedicated to providing delicious and healthy single-ingredient treats that K9s deserve.
Here are some reasons I choose their grass-fed dog bones for my dogs.
- They're made with just one ingredient: grass-fed, free-range cattle, born and raised in the US. Dogs love their beefy flavor, too!
- They don't contain any unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients like preservatives, cheap fillers, processed grains, or other additives.
- They're filled with nutritious bone marrow: This naturally occurring sweet treat is loaded with so many vitamins and minerals, plus healthy fats, collagen, and more. I share all the benefits of marrow bones in Marrow Bones Win Again!
- They're a guilt-free treat with low fat and calories.
- They have high protein to keep dogs strong and lean.
- Their density makes them great for aggressive chewers: because they're just thick enough, durable, and long-lasting. They've all been prepared correctly to ensure the right density.
- They don't have a bad odor like many other dog chews. Dog parents are especially thankful for this!
- They're versatile: excellent for training, beating boredom, and calming separation anxiety.
- They're wrapped individually and offer a shelf life of up to 2 years for guaranteed freshness.
Let's take a look at the 7 best K9 Connoisseur dog bones for medium dogs!
1. Marrow-Filled Dynamo Bone Chews
These delicious marrow-filled bones are perfect for any medium-sized breed! They're durable and have a mouthwatering beef flavor. What's not to love?
You can get Marrow-Filled Dynamo Bone Chews here!
I've also found these are perfect for making refilled marrow bones. Once my Pixie has licked all of the marrow out—which takes several weeks of 20-minute chew sessions, I replace the marrow with some fun recipes from my dog bone refill guide. Download it for FREE.
2. Meaty Rib Marrow-Filled Bone Chews
Dogs love gnawing on these 8-10 inch chews that are filled with meaty rib marrow. When the marrow is gone, fill them with peanut butter for a long-lasting treat.
The best place to Grab your Meaty Rib Marrow-Filled Bones for your mid-sized pup is on Amazon
3. Long-Lasting Meaty Beef Knee Cap Bones
If you've never given your pup a kneecap bone, they're in for a treat! These have a tasty, meaty flavor, and they're great for any breed and age dog up to 50 pounds. The unique shape gives my medium dog extra teeth-cleaning action with every gnaw.
These are also kind of perfect for homes with a medium dog and a small one under 15lb because the shape allows both dogs to get their jaw around it without the bone being too small for a medium dog.
Wait until you See Long-Lasting Meaty Beef Knee Cap Bones. There's so much meaty goodness to be had here.
4. Meaty Champs Bone
This is another one that's perfect for medium and large dogs because of the shape. If you have several dogs, you can even buy them in bulk to save a lot. That's what I do! Chew time never has to stop when you always have a fresh supply.
Plus, every one of these bones lasts a very long time. According to the American Kennel Club—and my vet—it's important that we not let dog treats and dog bones spoil dinner. Treats should be less than 10% of my dogs' diet. I've done the math, and it comes out to me in around 20 minutes 2-3 times a week (depending on other dog chews they get that week).
Just freeze the used bone between uses and bring it back out as gnawtime. This allows me to manage how much bone marrow they get in a sitting—but you can have too much of a good thing, even if it's 30% protein. But it also ensures my dogs stay close while enjoying their dog bones for safety reasons. It also means that one marrow dog bone can last for several weeks.
Are you looking for the bone that's fit for a Champ? Why not give Champ Bones a try?
5. Marrow-Filled Crown Knuckle Bones
Any K9 drools over these Marrow-Filled Crown Knuckle Bones for small and medium dogs. They have a hickory smoke, fall-off-the-bone flavor. They're ideal for training and simply showing your pup some love.
Here's where we get our favorite Marrow-Filled Crown Knuckle Bones.
6. Hickory Smoked Knuckle Bones
No matter how much of an aggressive chewer your dog is, these knuckle bones are the perfect option! They're one of the most durable and long-lasting dog bones for medium dogs out there. Best of all, they're hickory smoked and delicious.
Grab your Hickory Smoked Knuckle Bones here!
7. Meaty Mammoth Marrow-Filled Knuckle Bones
These marrow-filled knuckle bones are flavorful, durable, and healthy. They're larger than you might expect. Cows can have pretty big knuckles. They're perfect for medium and large dogs. My terrier Pixie likes chewing on this delicious bone! When the marrow is gone, they're easy to stuff with another tasty filling.
You must see these huge Meaty Mammoth Marrow-Filled Knuckle Bones to believe it.
8. Meaty Mammoth Marrow-Filled Knuckle Bones with Treats
Here's a twofer for those who can't choose. Not only do you get the marrow-filled knuckle bones I just mentioned, but you also get the K9 Connoisseur Slow-Roasted Beef Lung Bites. These beef lung dog treats are also a single-ingredient, healthy, and delicious snack.
This package is perfect for dogs who love gnawing on bones at home and having treats on outings or during training sessions. Learn more about the beef lung bites here.
I like to use lung bites as a trade when it's time to put the dogs' beef dog bones away for later. I offer a lung treat, and they instantly drop the bone, and I can safely snatch it away to freeze.
You can get this special deal here.
Happy pup parenting!