Where Can I Get Dog Bones Made in the USA?

On Labor Day, my kids came home from college for the weekend. And we threw a big backyard BBQ for their friends. I love these college kids heightened awareness of environmental and social issues—so I decided to ask them if they knew why we celebrate Labor Day.

We're celebrating the contributions of American workers to the US economy. With that realization, the conversation quickly shifted to buying "Made in the USA" because it supports local economies, creating jobs and improving worker pay.

Now, I realize it's not always practical to buy American in our global economy. But this is something I aspire to. Take the dog bones I buy for my 3 boisterous pups. They come for beef cattle that are born and raised on cattle ranches right here in the US.

So today, I'd like to share some other reasons I buy dog bones made in USA and introduce you to some of the American made dog bones by pack loves.

Why Choose Dog Bones Made in USA?

For me, there are some big differences between a dog bone from USA cattle and those abroad. They make this decision a no-brainer.

Higher Safety Standards

When it comes to my fur babies, I'm not taking chances. Since my kids left for college, they've become my world. I like to treat them. And I take their safety seriously.

American companies are required to meet stringent guidelines for food safety and quality, making the bones safer for your dog to chew. The FDA regulates "false claims" made by companies that sell dog treats, too.

They track complaints and manage recalls when a product is unsafe. I appreciate that the FDA cares about pet health and safety just like they do about human health and safety.

Products that come across borders do have some inspections. But it's just not to the level of bones for dogs made in the US.

Supporting Local Farms

I like to support small businesses and local farmers. Yes, I'm a regular at our local farmer's market and know many of area farmers by name. You'll see me at Small Business Saturday events around the holidays. Whether visiting our local dog-friendly cafe, supporting the local artists during their street art events several times a year, or shopping at the small business boutiques, I like to do my part.

As I said, when I do this, I help create jobs and grow the US economy. We everyday citizens have more power here than we realize.

Buying American means you’re supporting local farmers and businesses. It feels good knowing I’m giving back to the community.

The Right Durability

A lot of mass-produced dog bones from overseas vendors come from dairy cows after they stop producing milk. I respect that dairy farmers can't afford to keep the cows when they no longer produce. They do the responsible thing by humanely processing them into bones for dogs.

But. And this is a big one. Older dairy cows have the same issues that older ladies have. Bone density decreases and fractures are more common. This means that dairy bones may splinter more readily. That's a risk to my dogs. They could choke or sharp pieces could cut their insides.

When I buy American made dog bones, I can look into where those bones come from more easily. Do they come from dairy cows?

Not the ones I choose.

Mine come for beef cattle that are processed around 29 months of age for their meat. This is a younger cow, but this is the usual processing age.

Natural Ingredients

Some USA made dog bones are free from additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors. That’s a win for my dogs’ health. I'm looking for a single ingredient dog treats. And I want to be able to trust what I see on the label.

Now, a lot of mass-produced dog treats have some surprising ingredients—added sugar, dangerous hide tanning chemicals (for raw hide), preservatives, and additives. They're often cooked to oblivion. So there isn't a lot of nutrition left.

Sustainability

Okay, let's talk sustainability.

First of all, using the whole animal is a sustainable practice I can get behind. Most Americans eat beef. I know I love a good hamburger, roast beef sandwich, and a steak occasionally.

The beef-making process means lots of bones need a use. Some become bone meal for my little vegetable garden. People turn some into bone broth. Others become marrow bones for dogs. You're keeping a bunch of bones out of landfills where they don't break down very well.

But there's more here.

Buying dog chew bones made in the USA also means those bones travel less distance, reducing transportation emissions.

My Dogs' Favorite Dog Chew Bones Made in USA

First of all, marrow bones for dogs are the clear winner here. Marrow bones—especially those from grass-fed beef cattle— are incredibly nutritious. They have a lot of protein, healthy fats, and lower saturated fat than factory-farmed cattle, who eat primarily a grain diet and live in cramped warehouses for most of their lives.

For me to call something the "best chew bones for dogs", health and safety are a top priority. I look for single-ingredient marrow bones for dogs. That ingredient is the beef bone filled with marrow.

I also like to refill marrow bones to get more use out of each dog bone. The best chew bones for dogs are all refillable. And you can find some of my favorite refill recipes in this free guide.

Bone marrow is a tasty dog treat my fur babies crave. It's natural and delicious. Now, onto the best...

1. Best for Multi-dog Households

If you're like me and you have large and medium dogs, then this Marrow-filled Dynamo dog bone is a great choice. It's big enough for most large dogs, but small enough for medium dogs (under 50lbs). Remember never to give a dog a bone that can get into their mouth, so this bone could be too small for a huge dog.

This bone checks all the boxes. Grass-fed. USA raised. Single Ingredient. And this one holds up to aggressive chewing.

You can find the Dynamo Bone here.

2. Best for Small Dogs

Beef kneecaps are great for small dogs. This dog bone is a little too small for my terrier Pixie. But if you have a little dog like a chihuahua or an older puppy, these are perfect. I have gotten these as a gift for a friend who had a new puppy (around 4 months), and he loved them so much.

Here's where I would get beef kneecaps if I had a smaller dog.

3. Best for Large Dogs

These Meaty Mammoth bones are huge and can stand up to aggressive chewing for dogs who are over 50lb. They're on our regular dog bone rotation. By lab mix, Bruno, can't get enough of this big meaty dog bone. But don't forget that dogs need a balanced diet, too! Any dog treats, including dog chew bones, should be kept to about 20 minutes 2-3 times a week.

Available On: