Is Chewing a Bone Mental Stimulation for Dogs

Last Saturday, I attended our monthly "Coffee and Paws" day at the local dog-friendly cafe where, for every cup of specialty coffee that the human orders, we get a little bowl of bone broth for a dog. I have 3 dogs, so this could be a problem. Fortunately, I can drink a lot of coffee.

For me, a good conversation, painting, and gardening are very stimulating—and even better with a double shot of espresso. But my dogs need something more than bone broth to feel mentally engaged. So, is chewing a bone mental stimulation for dogs? That's what we're here to find out.

Do Dogs Get Bored?

You better believe it. And when they get bored, they tend to do things we humans don't like:

• Barking at every little noise
• Tearing up sofa pillows
• Pacing
• Digging holes in the backyard
• Trying to trip us as we walk...Okay, I know they don't mean to you. But you know what I mean.
• Picking on other animals in the home
• Chewing on your brand-new pair of running shoes. Been there!

They need to feed their instincts. Those instincts drive them toward certain activities. Running, playing, catching and fetching, cuddling sometimes, and, of course, chewing on bones. Chewing on a bone can help alleviate these behaviors by giving dogs a productive outlet for their energy.

Is Chewing a Bone Mental Stimulation for Dogs?

Absolutely. And yes! Chewing is one of the primal activities dogs do when they need to feel stimulated mentally.

For a dog, a bone is like a puzzle game. They gnaw, lick, and twist the bone in different directions, attempting to get the bone to release some bone marrow.

Each time they meet their objective, they get a little hit of dopamine, the "motivation hormone", and they feel engaged in the activity that keeps rewarding them.

They never get tired of solving this puzzle. The repetitive action of chewing can soothe an anxious dog, reducing stress and creating a sense of well-being. All in all, chewing satisfies a dog’s need to explore, gnaw, and feel rewarded by accomplishing a “task.”

Isn't that what we all need?

I think about my kids when they were teens and scrolling through TikTok, feeling the reward of whatever the algorithm decided to feed them next.

We all need to do things that help us decompress and feel entertained. Some activities are more constructive than others. Sure. But these activities serve a purpose.

Just think about it. I have social media, video streaming, cooking, gardening, painting, and work. All mentally stimulating.

I can choose any activity I want—depending on how hard my work deadlines are. Dogs rely on us to entertain them. And yes, they get bored, anxious, and even depressed when there's nothing to do.

I would, too!

Why Do Dogs Like Bones for This?

Probably—or as the kids say now—"prolly" because they don't have opposable thumbs. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure they'd be begging me to play a smartphone game instead. If we look back to our dogs' ancestral roots, wolves and wild dogs enjoyed chewing on bones after they had a meal of deer, bison, or whatever they'd been able to track down that day.

In the wild, dogs don't always know where their next meal is coming from, so it was important to eat as much of the hunt as possible. That also helped them access more of the nutrition in an animal and clean their teeth after a meal.

To get enough collagen from healthy bones, joints, and skin, they eat the cartilage, organs, and bone marrow. Collagen and Vitamin C are in organ meat like the lungs. And so on. Dogs don't know it, but bone marrow is jam-packed with nutrition that dogs may not get in abundance with an all-kibble diet. This added nutrition can improve their mental and physical health in many ways.

• B12 for mental health support and energy plus the whole B complex from the nervous system and energy support
• Omega 3 healthy fats for a healthy heart, brain, and immune function
• Calcium, iron, and phosphorous for blood and bone
• Glucosamine Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid for joints and skin

How to Introduce Marrow Bones for Dogs to Your Pup

Is your dog showing signs of boredom, anxiety, or aggression? Chewing a dog bone could be the remedy for what ails them.

Give your dog a bone while they're alone for the first time to reduce potential fighting with other dogs. Watch how they respond to it. A high-quality bone shouldn't break or get swallowed. It should last even with an aggressive chewer. But you should still be there with them, just in case.

Chew time should be around 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week. This is enough time to maximize mental stimulation and nutrition without spoiling their dinner. Yes, bone marrow is healthy. But they should still eat a complete diet of veterinarian-approved kibble.

If you're concerned about taking a dog bone away from your K9 because they might bite you, then offer them something in exchange. I buy a big bag of beef lung bites just for this purpose. I bring out the bag. My terrier Pixie instantly drops the bone. Then, I can freeze it for next time.

Doing this also allows one dog bone to last an unexpectedly long time.

How to Choose Good Chew Bones for Dogs

It's important to get them a quality bone to chew and chew to get these benefits. So, here's what to consider.

Beef Bone

Beef cattle have large, dense bones, making them perfect dog bones. They can stand up to aggressive chewing.

Plus, when you choose beef marrow bones, you’re helping ranchers use the whole animal.

Grass-Fed

Ideally, the dog bones come from grass-fed beef cattle. Grass-fed beef herds have 2X the omega 3 with lower saturated fat. It’s just an all-around better dog bone. Plus, it supports more natural and humane ranching practices.

Safe and Durable

Avoid brittle bones that can splinter. Instead, go for high-quality marrow bones for dogs, which are tough and long-lasting. That means no dinner bones, pork bones, rib bones after your backyard BBQ, chicken/turkey bones, or bone broth bones.

Natural and Healthy

Single-ingredient, grass-fed beef bones are excellent options. They provide essential nutrients like collagen, calcium, and glucosamine. Perhaps more importantly, they lack harmful additives, fillers, and chemicals.

Did you know that many dog bone and treat companies put added sugar in their dog products to mask the fact that they're old or tasteless?

Size-Appropriate

Make sure the bone is large enough that your dog can’t swallow it whole. This is crucial for safety and ensures your dog can enjoy chewing without risks. A bone should be at least as big as a dog's head. For some dogs, that means you need to get a massive bone.

Don't Skip the Bonus Round

Now, a quality dog bone is going to give your dog hours of entertainment if you give it in moderation and freeze it between. But you can go for a bonus round to make it last even longer by refilling the bone once it's empty. Peanut butter. Pumpkin puree. And even blueberries in Greek yogurt are some great choices for expanding the stimulation. Don't forget to download my free marrow bone refill guide before you go.

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