The finest dog bones are crafted to offer both delectable flavor and robust dental benefits for your furry friend. These premium bones are made from natural, high-quality ingredients, ensuring your dog receives a wholesome and tasty chewing experience. Designed to promote healthy teeth and gums, these top-tier dog bones are a must-have for any conscientious pet owner.
Unfortunately, bones are not the only thing dogs like to chew on. Young dogs are the most destructive, with a “body count” of about six pairs of shoes, four pieces of furniture, and 27 toys during their first year. But older dogs are not exempt from being naughty – and we let them get away with it. In a survey, 71 percent of respondents admitted they are more lenient with their pet than with their (human) partner!
We sure like to spoil our pets. Especially younger pet owners like to celebrate special occasions with their pets, another survey found, like the pet’s birthday or “gotcha day.” Three in four survey respondents only feed high quality foods. The majority even make their pet’s meal from scratch. Unsurprisingly, two in three owners would love to trade places with their furry friend for a day.
But even with gourmet cuisine on their plate, dogs will still eat literal garbage. Of course the contents of the trash can (or hamper or toy chest) are not safe to eat! To avoid a trip to the emergency vet, “the average pet owner has to remove something from their dog’s mouth about three times a month.”
So what can dogs safely gnaw on? The American Kennel Club cautions owners that chews that are too hard can crack your dog’s teeth, while chews that are too soft or too small are a choking hazard. In addition, the wrong ingredients can upset your dog’s stomach. With that in mind, StudyFinds researched 10 expert websites to create a list with the five best dog bones for shoe- and furniture-friendly chomping fun! If we missed your pup’s favorite, let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Dog Bones, According to Canine Experts
1. Nylabone Healthy Edibles
Nylabone is known for its durable chews. The manufacturer’s Healthy Edibles line had the most expert recommendations, but some other Nylabone products, like the Power Chew, made the consulted best bones lists as well.
With the Healthy Edibles treats, “fans of Nylabone can rejoice in the fact that the company has a dog chew that is especially designed with the consistency and texture of real bone […] These won’t crack, split, or splinter so your pet can take all the time to chew and munch on these treats,” assures MyPetNeedsThat.
Betterpet likes that these bones have natural ingredients and come in many different sizes. Hepper points out that they are “inexpensive” and “don’t contain any added salt or preservatives.”
2. Blue Buffalo Dental Bones
Fans of Blue Buffalo appreciate the brand’s high-quality ingredients: It “is one of the trusted brands when it comes to premium-quality, grain-free dog food,” say reviewers at MyPetNeedsThat.
The makers of the Blue Buffalo dental bones use a “grain- and gluten-free formula [that] helps avoid triggering food allergies” and “only natural ingredients, with no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors,” adds Canine Weekly.
“These bones contain parsley for better breath and vitamins A, C, and E to boost your dog’s immune system,” writes Hepper about its top pick. Like their name suggests, these dental bones also “prevent plaque and tartar buildup and maintain healthy gums.”
3. Purina Busy Bone Dog Chew
These chews are for smaller dogs. As The Spruce knows, “just because a pup is smaller, [that] doesn’t mean they can’t do a lot of damage to your household items with their sharp chompers. One of these Busy Bones from Purina will give them a healthy place to direct all that extra chewing energy.”
While Breeding Business doesn’t recommend them for the most aggressive chewers, its experts like that these bones are “entirely free of rawhide” and “help in maintaining your dog’s clean teeth.” They also contain only natural ingredients.
“Made in Purina-owned facilities in the USA, there are no artificial flavors or colors in these chews so you can buy with confidence that they are safe for your doggo,” says Animal Corner.
4. Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers
On 10 websites, we found seven recommendations for Benebone chews. Most of them were for the Wishbone. According to Breeding Business, it’s a flavorful, frustration-free five-star product.
“If you’ve got a super-chewer, Benebone says ‘bring it on.’ These chew toys are wishbone-shaped and ‘paw-friendly,’ giving your dog the ability to get a good grip. Plus, they’re made with real bacon for flavor,” explains Betterpet.
“This dog chew is made from nylon and not designed to be eaten, but it comes with a bacon flavor made from 100% real food ingredients to ensure it is completely safe for your pup. Even better, all the ingredients come from the USA so you can buy without worry,” says Animal Corner.
5. GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats
While this treat is more of an edible toothbrush, it works as a chew as well. “GREENIES are primarily designed to keep your dog’s teeth clean, but they often last long enough to give dogs some quality chewing time before they are eventually swallowed,” writes Canine Weekly about its favorite bone.
Pet Keen points out that this Veterinary Oral Health Council-recommended treat is expensive, which is why its experts have it listed as their “premium choice.” However, they are worth the price, claims The Spruce: “If you’re searching for a mouth fresher your dog will love, pick up Greenies Original Regular Natural Dental Dog Treats.”
(When choosing a dog bone, please consider your dog’s age, size, and chew style. Dogs of different ages and sizes have different needs: what’s good for a small senior dog may be hazardous for a large puppy.)
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Sources:
- Canine Weekly
- BetterPet
- Pet Keen
- Breeding Business
- The Spruce
- MyPetNeedsThat
- Hepper
- Labrador Training HQ
- Animal Corner
- A-Z-Animals
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.