The Best Small Dog Bones for 2025: Healthy for the Win!

So, the other morning, I was enjoying the free wi-fi while sipping a mocha latte at my local dog-friendly coffee shop. My terrier, Pixie, was sitting on the rug nearby with her paws up around her dog bone, gnawing intently. Just then, another pup, a pomeranian notably smaller than Pixie, approached like he expected my girl to hand it over.

Of course, that wasn't going to happen. Besides, Pixie's bone was too big for that itty bitty dog. He just didn't realize it yet. There's nothing inherently dangerous about giving a small dog a bone intended for a mid-sized dog. But small breeds like this little guy need small dog bones to get their jaw around it and enjoy the chew.

Fortunately, I had some beef kneecaps in my laptop satchel pocket, which were more appropriate. As that little pup's dog dad ran up to scoop his baby up with an apology, I handed him one out of my bag. "He'll love this!" I exclaimed. "Every dog deserves the best dog bones."

You might also be interested in reading No Rawhide Dog Bones: Healthy & Safe Alternatives to Rawhide.

Is it ok for small dogs to eat bones?

Absolutely! Both small breeds and puppies can eat bones. But while puppies can enjoy dog bones for small dogs, you want to wait until your pup has a full set of adult teeth, around 4-6 months. Ask your pup's vet if you're unsure.

You risk damaging the puppy's baby teeth if you offer small dog bones before all adult teeth have grown in. Puppy teeth are also sharp, so there's a chance your dog can break off pieces of the bone, causing a choking hazard.

That said, any size dog can have bones, so long as they have adult teeth and you offer a safe-sized bone.

Different Types of Small Dog Bones

There are many different types of bones that may be appropriate for a small dog. These include:

• Beef Trachea: Trachea chews made from cattle windpipe are a healthy and safe treat with various benefits. While not technically a dog bone, they do contain those nutritious connective tissues that make dog bones a healthy treat.
• Rawhide: Although rawhide is another favorite, it's not necessarily safe. Rawhide is often made from horse or cowhide and can break off and pose a choking hazard. The drying process also requires several chemicals that are not the best choice for something my dog will eat. These include sodium sulfide, lime, chromium salts, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide, according to Ruff Start Rescue.
• Bully Sticks: Bully sticks are popular for dogs. They're usually soft and easily digestible. Bully sticks are made out of the muscles in a bull's penis and are a byproduct of the practice in some parts of the world of removing young bull penises in addition to the testicles for herd health and safety reasons. I'm not joking. Not sure how I feel about this! 😳
• Antlers: Not ideal for small dogs. The American Kennel Club says most vets discourage giving antlers to any dogs because they can splinter, cut gums, and lead to infections and blockages.
• Natural bones: Marrow bones that are truly all-natural and made with limited ingredients are the best dog bones. They contain a lot of healthy fats, collagen, and other nutrients not found in bully sticks.

How to pick safe bones for small dogs?

To find the best bones for small dogs, I used certain criteria. I think you'll agree each of these is important.

• Bone size: Too big is better than too small because of choking hazards. But small dogs will get more out of the bone experience if they can get their jaws around part of it.
• Flavor: Of course, you want your k9 to enjoy their bone, so go for a flavor they'll enjoy. My terrier Pixie drools over the beef bones on my list!
• Ingredients: The fewer ingredients, the better. Bones with many ingredients likely contain unhealthy, unsafe, and other unnecessary additives. I was looking for single-ingredient bones that were 100% natural.
• Quality: The best bones with the highest quality usually contain only natural ingredients and no preservatives and are sourced and made in the United States.
• Healthy: My dogs love chew time because of the taste and the way that fun gnawing action feeds their ancestral wolf instincts. But as their dog mom, I want treats to be nutritious. These bones are entirely beef and an excellent source of nutrients like iron, collagen, zinc, and Vitamins C and B12. Collagen alone offers many health benefits, like improved skin and coat, joint pain relief, and better digestive health. Zinc is excellent for your dog's immune system, while iron provides energy. Meanwhile, Vitamin C and B12 support your dog's overall well-being and help prevent premature aging.
• 100% Natural: Although many dog chews are labeled as "all-natural," this can mean many different things. Some still contain genetically modified ingredients or added cane sugar. So, I looked closely to make sure I was really getting all-natural small dog bones with no preservatives, artificial flavors, or other additives.
• Sourced and made in the US: I like to support small businesses and US cattle farmers to promote a healthy US economy and create jobs. I also feel a little safer with the extra regulations from the FDA here in The States.
• Long-lasting: I want a dog bone that my pups can get multiple chew sessions out of. I just freeze them in between. These bones thaw quickly, and it's go-time again.
• Durable: All bones I choose need to stand up to aggressive chewing. Yes, even small dogs can be aggressive chewers. Puppies are some of "the worst". They don't know their strength. This comes down to the type of bone (beef bone) and how it's prepared. A slow and low-heat cooking process is critical for retaining nutrition while getting the bone to a safe density. Raw bones are too hard and can carry dangerous pathogens. Plus, they stink! Which leads to my next criteria.
• Odor-free: Some filled bones are stinky, so I look for ones that aren't.
• Grass-fed: I also want dog's bones to come from humanely raised cattle that grow up in fields, not packed warehouses. So I look for terms like "pasture raised" and "grass fed".

What bones are good for small dogs?

1. The Best Small Dog Bones

My favorite small dog bones are these marrow filled doggie delight bones. Not only do these bones have all kinds of delicious meaty bites left on the bone. They're entirely healthy and safe for any small dog up to 15 pounds. They check all the boxes for safety and nutrition. Plus, they're perfectly sized for smaller dogs because of the sliced shape that allows your small dog to have a bigger bone than they could otherwise.

You can get doggie delights for your pups here.

2. Best for Toy-Sized Pups

Some dogs are extra tiny. These fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand-sized fur babies may find a meaty rib too big. If this describes your dog, I found the answer in beef riblets. These beef riblets are carefully sliced from the larger beef ribs into that tiny treat.

Just check out the Amazon reviews on these.

Once they're empty, I like to refill them with tasty dog-approved fillings from my dog bone refill recipe guide.

3. Best for Training Small Dogs

You can use any small dog bone for training when you make it a reward at the end. But when trying to teach a trick or some discipline, you need a smaller treat that your dog can eat in a couple of bites. So, this one isn't a dog bone for small dogs, but I definitely think you'll want to add it to your collection.

I use beef lung bites during a training session. But I also use them as a trade-off for a tasty bone. You see, dog treats should be no more than 10% of my dog's diet. That comes out to around 15-20 minutes 3 times a week. But when time's up, my pups aren't always ready to give up their bones. So I show them a lung bite. They drop the bone, and I can put it away later. I like that these are grass-fed and nutritious, just like the marrow bones.

Here are the ones Pixie loves.

Don't take my word for it. Check out these fantastic reviews!

The Best Small Dog Bones: Final Thoughts

Finding the best small dog bones can be tricky. You want to ensure they're nutritious, safe, and flavorful. These small dogs have a delicious beef flavor, they're 100% all-natural, they're made with just one ingredient (grass-fed cattle), and dogs and their owners love them.

Frequently Asked Questions about Small Dog Bones

Is it okay for small dogs to eat cooked bones?

Yes. When beef bones are prepared using a slow and low heat cooking process and are properly sized for your dog, they are generally safe.

Can small dogs have ham bones?

No. This is not a good idea. Ham bones shatter easily and are often cooked for a very long time, making them soft. They are a choking risk, you should avoid.

Which raw bones for small dogs?

I wouldn't give a small dog a raw bone if I were you. Raw bones can carry a lot of pathogens that dogs then carry all over the house. Plus, if your dog has a weak immune system, it could make them sick. The American Veterinary Medical Association says "no raw food for dogs" is best.

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