Enhancing Canine Nutrition Through Dog Bones: Not Like Other Treats

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I set up my easel in the local park for my evening painting session. Capturing the last rays of sunlight on my canvas, I painted a serene sunset scene while my 3 dogs, ever-content, curled up near my feet, gnawing on their meat marrow dog bones.

You know...some people might say I give my dogs treats too often. "I spoil their dinner." And some might even say I'll "make them fat"—which certainly hasn't happened yet. They see it as just a dog bone, or worse, any other dog treat chew. What they don't realize is that I'm enhancing canine nutrition with every chew time I schedule.

I love my dogs. I want to make sure they stay healthy and active so we get to enjoy more walks, more hikes, and more trips to the dog-friendly cafe.

So, I had a choice to make. Do I spoil them with treats—and their questionable ingredients? Or do I find something that's healthy and that they love? And that's how I found beef marrow bones for dogs.

Signs of Bad Dog Nutrition

• Dull, coarse coat
• Tired and doesn't want to play
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Digestive issues
• Slow and tender when getting up
• Poor dental health

The Nutritional Benefits of Dog Bones

Dog bones offer a range of benefits that go beyond something fun and tasty to gnaw on. Here's why I call them the healthy treats for dogs, and I call marrow bones the best chew bones for dogs.

1. Rich Source of Essential Nutrients

Marrow bones for dogs are packed with essential nutrients that support various aspects of your dog's health. Bone marrow is rich in collagen, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin and coat, supporting joint health, and promoting digestive wellness.

Additionally, marrow bones have iron, vitamin B12, and other essential minerals that contribute to your dog's overall vitality.

"Bruno absolutely loves his marrow bones," I share with fellow dog parents at the park. "Not only do they keep him busy while I'm painting. I can see the positive impact they're having on his coat and joint health." More energy, shinier coat, better temperament. He used to be a bit of a handful. But now he's channeling that extra energy through gnawing on a bone.

Marrow is also a great source of polyunsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 fats, considered the "healthy fats" for brain, anti-inflammation, and heart health.

Some pet parents ask what I think the best chew bones for dogs have that kibble doesn't.

And I get it.

Kibble is veterinarian-approved to be a complete diet. I'm not going to dispute that. But because it's baked to oblivion to become shelf stable, they have to sacrifice some of the nutrients during high-heat cooking. Omega fats oxidize at high heat and no longer provide the same benefits. Water soluble vitamins like vitamin C (found in bone marrow) are destroyed at high temperatures.

Healthy treats for dogs are one way I can supplement this lost nutrition without having to give my dogs a multivitamin. I'd rather they get nutrition from food.

2. Promotes Dental Health

Chewing on dog bones is a natural way to maintain your dog's dental hygiene. The act of chewing helps to scrape away plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth. That can reduce the risk of dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease and lower the bacteria count that leads to "dog breath" by as much as 80%.

Keeping strong teeth allows dogs to continue to eat solid food and chew on their beef marrow bones. So, this is definitely part of the nutrition discussion.

"When we adopted Pixie from the shelter where I volunteer, she already had bad breath and plaque buildup, " I shared with a neighbor at our new dog parent meetup that we hosted at my house. "I knew I had to do something about it fast, or she wasn't going to be licking my face."

We laughed.

"Since I started giving her marrow bones, her dental health has improved dramatically," and I showed her one of the individually packaged dog bones Pixie loves. "It saved our relationship," I proclaimed!

3. Supports Strong Jaws and Muscles

Regular chewing on durable bones helps to strengthen my dog's jaw muscles. This is crucial for overall muscle tone and oral health. The best chew bones for dogs provide the right resistance without being too hard. So, my dogs' jaws remain strong and healthy without causing any damage to their teeth. A strong jaw means an enhanced ability to eat well—and gnaw on the best dog bones for enhancing nutrition.

I've noticed that Bruno's jaws are stronger and more defined since we introduced marrow bones into his diet.

How to Enhance Nutrition with Dog Bones

1. Moderation is Key

The American Kennel Club recommends that "treats" be no more than 10% of the diet, and the rest should be vet-approved kibble. Even though a dog bone is clearly an upgrade from a typically sugar-laden dog treat, AKC is the expert here. So I try to keep our consumption at around the 10% mark.

That comes out to around 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week. I usually schedule 2 regular chew times a week. Then I save one for days like today, when they need something to do while I'm painting.

2. Supervise Chewing

I always supervise my dogs while they are chewing on a bone to prevent any potential choking hazards. Now, there is less risk of this because I buy marrow bones that come from grass-fed beef cattle. They are processed before 29 months in the US. The bones are prepared using a slow and low-heat cooking method that helps retain nutrition and the tasty meaty bits while achieving a safe bone density.

3. Grass-Fed Beef Bones Only

To maximize nutrition, choose grass-fed marrow bones.

If I had to buy conventional grain-fed beef dog bones at the grocery store, I probably wouldn't bother. Grass-fed cattle have higher levels of omega-3 and lower saturated fat. And I also don't want to support factory farming.

4. Regular Rotation

Rotate different types of bones and treats to keep your dog interested and provide a variety of nutrients. Marrow bones for dogs can be alternated with other healthy treats to ensure a well-rounded diet.

You absolutely have to try beef trachea, which has more glucosamine and chondroitin—great for joint health. And then there's one of my dogs' faves, beef lung bites. These smaller treats are fantastic for training. I can break them into smaller pieces to better control how many of my dogs get to reinforce their good behavior.

As I shared with someone at the neighborhood dog meetup while hamburgers cooked on the grill, "It keeps my dogs excited about their treats and ensures they receive a variety of nutrients."

I also like to mix things up further with dog favorites like peanut butter and real yogurt. You can find more dog bone refill recipes in my free guide.

Well, I hope this helps you improve your own K9's nutrition.

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