Real Bones for Dogs: How My Pups Became Official Taste Testers

If you ever needed proof that real bones are a dog's version of winning the lottery, just spend five minutes at my house.

The other day, Bruno—my big lovable lab mix—was doing his happy dance in the kitchen. Pixie, my scrappy little terrier, was practically vibrating with excitement. What caused the commotion? I had just pulled out a fresh dog bone from K9 Connoisseur.

And let me tell you, you would have thought I was handing out gold bars.

Real bones for dogs aren’t just treats. They’re experiences.

Why Dogs Go Wild for Real Bones

Dogs aren’t just being dramatic (well, maybe Pixie is) when they lose their minds over a real bone. Chewing on bones taps into deep instincts from their ancestral wolves. Wolves don't have squeaky toys or peanut butter-stuffed chew. They want bones to chew on.

Dog bones are so irresistible because:

• Natural Enrichment - Chewing helps reduce boredom, anxiety, and even destructive behaviors. Instead of Bruno redecorating the sofa cushions, he works out all that energy on a dog bone.
• Dental Health Support - As dogs gnaw, they naturally scrape away plaque and tartar. It’s basically nature’s toothbrush. That's great for teeth and overall dog health.
• Jaw Exercise - Strong jaw muscles don’t just look tough — they help dogs chew properly and support overall oral health.
• Enhance Focus - When real bones for dogs are filled with bone marrow, peanut butter, or pumpkin puree, they become dog puzzle toys. Dogs lick, twist, chew, and flip the bone, trying to figure out how to get the good stuff out. Why does improved focus matter in dogs? Well, it makes dog training easier, along with some high-value dog treats for training, of course. Your dog will be ready for the 7-Day Dog Training Challenge. Have you signed your pup up yet?

Rubber bones, rawhide, etc—they're just not the same experience. I think about that time one of the ladies on our neighborhood trail hike decided to wear heels instead of hiking boots for fashion reasons. The hike leader didn't realize the inappropriate hiking attire until they were down the trail, and some other hikers had to basically carry her out when she couldn't walk anymore.

They were shoes—sure. But they couldn't get the job done. My dogs deserve all the benefits that real dog bones give.

Are All-Natural Dog Bones Safe for Dogs?

Short answer: Yes. If you choose the right ones.

Those dog bones need to be the right size—big enough that dogs can't accidentally swallow them.

Dinner bones won't do. They're too soft and can splinter.

Dog bones must be cooked at a low and slow temperature for just the right amount of time to achieve a safe density. That doesn't describe ribs off the grill, boiled bones, or turkey bones left over after the holidays.

Dairy cow bones are also a no-go. Dairy cows spend their relatively long lives producing milk. Not only are they much older than beef cattle when they "retire", leading to osteoporosis risk just like in the human ladies. Milk production is also a calcium-depleting activity. That means weaker bones all around.

If a dog bone doesn't say it's a beef bone, it's probably a dairy cow bone. And that's bad news.

I get K9 Connoisseur's slow-roasted beef marrow dog bones. I trust them to ensure every bone is safe for my dog. Not only do their bones not come from dairy cows. They come from grass-fed beef herds, which means lower fat and 2.5X the omega 3 health fats.

Are Rib Bones for Dogs Okay?

Rib bones are safe for most dogs if they come from beef cattle, are prepared correctly and are at an appropriate size. So, again, no rib bones from dinner. Unsafe... every time. Don't do it.

Meaty ribs from K9 Connoisseur on the other hand? Perfection. The quality and preparation make all the difference.

Rib bones for dogs are ideal for medium-sized dogs like my terrier, Pixie. She can't get enough grass-fed beef rib bones.

But they're too small for my lab mix, Bruno. I got him a Goliath Bone instead. This massive beef dog bone is one of the only bones that can stand up to his aggressive chewing.

And for the wee ones, that you can put in a dog purse, I like beef riblets. They're small enough for little mouths but still full of that big dog bone flavor.

The Best Dog Bone Marrow Treats for Dogs

The best dog bone marrow treats for dogs are real dog bones from beef herds. With single-ingredient dog bones, I avoid potentially harmful additives, coloring, and flavors. When a dog bone marrow treat is made from real beef, you don't need any extra junk.

Dogs think real dog bones are the best thing ever.

Every time I give them a real bone, I'm feeding their chewing instinct in the way nature intended.

Bonus: Fun Ways to Make Real Bones Even Better

Here are a few of my favorite tricks:

• Re-Stuff Empty Marrow Bones with Goodies: Freeze some pureed pumpkin, Greek yogurt, or peanut butter inside the bone for an extra-long chew session. Mix in blueberries, carrots, apples, or green beans for antioxidants and fiber for dogs.
• Use Bones as a Training Reward: After a tough positive reinforcement training session (like loose leash walking with an overly excited Pixie), handing over a dog bone is the ultimate encouragement.
• Rotate Bone Time: I keep a couple of bones on rotation so they stay exciting. Old favorites can feel brand new again! Dynamo bones, Meaty Ribs, Goliath Bones, Champs, Trachea Chews—they're all healthy marrow bones and they're all on my dogs' menus.

Bottom line: Real bones for dogs are one of the best ways to promote dog health, satisfy instincts, and make your dog ridiculously happy—all at once. So, why not?