The Best Dog Bone To Create The Happiest Pup

It’s no news that dogs love to chew on things and they require constant stimulation. Dog bones cater to that need while ensuring the safety of your belongings that would otherwise have been chewed on and the safety of your dog. And so it follows that dog bones are must-have items for any dog owner.

Why Should I Give My Canine a Dog Bone?

Numerous benefits come with using dog bones for your dogs. The most obvious one is that it caters to the intrinsic need your dog has to chew on things keeping your dog occupied, active, and stimulated and away from your personal belongings. It also keeps your dog distracted, buying you time to do other things without distraction. Also, dog bones can cater to the nutritional and health needs of a dog. A lot of dog bones these days come fortified with different nutrients to cater to your dog’s nutritional needs. The chewing also keeps their jaws occupied and promotes canine oral health. It does this by removing plaque and tartar build-up, freshening their breath, and maintaining healthy gums. In teething puppies, chewing on bones can soothe gum pain and help stimulate adult teeth growth. Dog bones can also serve as training treats for dogs.

Are There Different Types of Dog Bones?

There are many different kinds of natural and synthetic dog bones available today, with each offering a different range of benefits. Generally, the natural variants mimic your dog’s ancestral diet more closely and are the superior choice where diet is concerned. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea, or other issues for dogs who chew them sometimes. The synthetic variants are often the safer option where hygiene and bone splintering are concerned, they are usually the less messy option and work better for promoting oral hygiene. Some of these include the following.

Raw dog bones

These are widely regarded as the best sort especially if they still have a lot of meat, tendons, ligaments attached to them, and bone marrow in them. They are nutrient-rich and also keep your dog stimulated as it tries to work the meat off the bone.

Natural beef dog bones

These are a more hygienic option for raw bones. They are raw bones that have undergone sterilization and are cooked slowly, usually by roasting. The cooking makes them softer, drier, and prone to splintering and causes nutrient loss.

Rawhide dog bones

These are typically made from the hide of cattle and horses. They lack flavor and nutrients so these are usually added in by the manufacturer.

Dental dog bones

As the name implies, these cater to your dog’s dental needs. They help to freshen your dog’s breath and remove food particles from its teeth.

Synthetic dog bones

These are artificial bones made from materials like nylon. They are durable and are suited to aggressive chewers.

Healthy chews

These are bones enriched with nutrients. They are made to supplement a dog’s diet.

Chew toys

These are designed to be extremely durable and cater to aggressive chewers.

Factors to Consider

With so many types of dog bones from many different brands available on the market today, making a choice can be very hard. Factors such as nutritional value, durability, and safety should be considered. In addition to the list of the best dog bones we have provided for you, we’ll give you a detailed list of the qualities you should look out for to guide you through making your choice.

Durability

Whatever dog bone you choose should be able to withstand your dog’s chewing for a considerable length of time without splitting into bits that can injure your dog and constitute choking hazards. Synthetic bones are generally more durable than natural ones. And among the natural bones, raw bones are the most durable.

Size

The size of the bone you should get depends on the size of your dog. For a smaller dog, you need a smaller bone and a larger bone for a larger dog. When in doubt, it is better to go for a larger bone to cut the risk of your dog swallowing the bone, which can result in choking or an obstructed digestive system.

Nutrition

Another factor to consider is the nutritional value of the bone, especially for dogs with poor feeding habits. Natural bones are generally more nutritious than artificial bones. And bones with bone marrow are more nutritious than bones without it.

Ingredients

When buying synthetic bones especially, you should look out for one made from natural ingredients. This ensures that your dog is not exposed to any unhealthy artificial chemicals. You should pay attention to your dog’s allergies too, if applicable.

Flavor

The flavor is what keeps the dog attracted to the bone even after the novelty has faded. Synthetic bones especially are often imbued with flavors like bacon, chicken, and beef that would interest your dog and continue to hold its attention. It is better to buy brands that hold on to the flavor for extended periods.

How Much Do Dog Bones Cost?

Dog bones can be bought singly or in packs, depending on the brand. Their cost per unit depends on factors like the ingredients they contain, durability, size, and so on. They typically cost about $4 to $15 per count.