The Best Dog Bones for Big Dogs

Written by Shaunice Lewis
Updated: March 22, 2023
© MaxShutter/Shutterstock.com

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It’s no secret that dogs love to chew on bones. So it’s important as a dog owner to know which ones are the healthiest and the safest for your dog to chew on. Not all dog bones are created equal, and some can actually be unhealthy for your dog’s teeth. Let’s go over some of the best dog bones you can buy for your dog as well as the pros and cons of each.

  1. Jack & Pup Roasted Beef Shin Bone Dog Treats
    • This brand is specifically made for large dogs
    • The bones are 11-inches long
    • Each bone is slow-roasted along with tendons and meat to enhance its meaty flavor
    • This method of preparation also makes the bones more nutritious
    • The bones contain calcium-rich marrow
    Check Chewy
  2. Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy
    • Designed specifically for aggressive chewers
    • Infused with real bacon flavor
    • Tougher than a real bone and will last longer, too
    • The curved design makes it easy for dogs to grip
    • Available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and giant
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. N-Bone Chicken Flavored Dental Rings Senior Dog Treats
    • These bones are ring-shaped
    • They are fortified with minerals that are particularly good for senior dogs
    • Some nutrients include DHA, omega-3, glucosamine, and chondroitin
    • These nutrients support eye, brain, and joint health
    • Includes fewer allergens than most other dog bones since it doesn't include wheat, rawhide, soy, or corn
    Check Chewy
  4. Jungle Calling Rawhide Free Dog Treats
    • These bones contain collagen, which may be easier for dogs with sensitive stomachs to digest
    • Made in peanut butter and cranberry flavors
    • High in protein and fiber
    • Reduce tartar and plaque buildup and freshens breath
    • Rawhide-free
    Check Amazon

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Bones for Big Dogs

#1 Best Overall: Jack & Pup Roasted Beef Shin Bone Dog Treats

We found that the Jack & Pup Roasted Beef Shin Bone Dog Treats are the best overall dog bones for large dog breeds when it comes to health, quality, and safety.

This brand of dog bones is made for large dogs. The bones are 11 inches long and are slow-roasted to bring in a meaty flavor that most dogs will love. The company goes a step further and slow roasts the bones alongside pieces of the tendons and meat to help further enhance the flavor of the bones, rather than just roasting them plain.

Not only does this method help enhance the flavor, but it also makes the bone more nutritious. Just like if you were to make a pot of homemade bone broth for the beneficial nutrients found in the marrow, the inside of these dog bones also contains a calcium-rich marrow that will help maintain and improve the overall health and well-being of your dog.

It is also important to note that these dog bones are sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle. The cattle were also raised without any added antibiotics or hormones. This makes the bones a healthy alternative to more processed treats or bones that were from cows that were fed a poorer diet.

One last thing to mention is that the bones are safe and easy to digest. This is a very important factor, as many bones that are available, are not safe for dogs to consume. Some are hard for dogs to break down and can be choking hazards in some cases. These are guaranteed to be easily digestible and cause no side effects.

The only drawback to this product is that they do have a strong smell.

Pros and Cons of the Jack & Pup Roasted Beef Shin Bone Dog Treats

ProsCons
These bones are made from grass-fed, free-range cattle.They have a strong smell.
They are slow-roasted for enhanced flavor.
They are safe and easy to digest.
Best Overall
Jack & Pup Roasted Beef Shin Bone Dog Treats
  • This brand is specifically made for large dogs
  • The bones are 11-inches long
  • Each bone is slow-roasted along with tendons and meat to enhance its meaty flavor
  • This method of preparation also makes the bones more nutritious
  • The bones contain calcium-rich marrow
Check Chewy

2. Best for Aggressive Chewers: Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy

If you are looking for something with a bit more durability for your dog, you might want to consider the Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy.

This bone is a durable chew toy bone that is specifically designed for dogs that are aggressive chewers. Sometimes it seems like you give your dog a bone and it only lasts for just a short while before they’ve completely gobbled it up. In that case, it may be better to purchase a durable chew toy bone that they can chew on and will last.

The best thing about this chew toy is that it actually has real bacon flavor infused into it, rather than a plain plastic taste. This toy is much tougher than a real bone and will last a lot longer, too. The curved design of the toy also allows your dog to easily grip it while they chew it.

If purchasing this one, it even comes in various size options including small, medium, large, and giant. This means that not only is it great for large dogs, but if you also have a small dog.

However, some customers have reported that it is important to regularly inspect this toy for wear and tear as sometimes it can develop rough edges where the dog has been chewing it.

Pros and Cons of the Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy

ProsCons
This bone is specifically designed for dogs that are aggressive chewers.It can develop rough edges where the dog has been chewing it.
It has a real bacon flavor.
The curved design allows dogs to easily grip it.
There are four sizes available.
Best for Aggressive Chewers
Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy
  • Designed specifically for aggressive chewers
  • Infused with real bacon flavor
  • Tougher than a real bone and will last longer, too
  • The curved design makes it easy for dogs to grip
  • Available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and giant
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best for Large Senior Dogs: N-Bone Chicken Flavored Dental Rings Senior Dog Treats

As the best option for seniors we recommend the N-Bone Chicken Flavored Dental Rings Senior Dog Treats.

This dog bone is best for large dogs that are seniors. These dog bones aren’t made like traditional bones—they’re shaped like rings. They have added minerals that are especially great for dogs that are entering their later years. Some of the added nutrients include DHA omega-3, which helps support the healthy functioning of the eyes and brain, and added glucosamine and chondroitin, which both support healthy joints.

Healthy eyes, brain, and joints are important for all dogs, but especially those that are a bit older since the functioning of these things tend to decline with age. If you want to keep your dog sharp, it’s important to make sure that it’s getting the right amount of nutrients in its daily diet to help maintain optimum health.

There are also fewer allergens in this dog bone than others, as it doesn’t include things like wheat, rawhide, soy, or corn. Produced in the USA, all of the ingredients that go into making these bone rings are high-quality and perfectly safe for your dog to consume.

Unfortunately, some pup parents have reported that these treats are a little too tough for their dogs.

Pros and Cons of the N-Bone Chicken Flavored Dental Rings Senior Dog Treats

ProsCons
These bones have a ring-shaped design.Some customers have reported that they are too tough for their dogs.
It contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints.
It contains added vitamins and minerals to promote a healthy heart and brain..
It is free from rawhide, corn, and soy.
Best for Seniors
N-Bone Chicken Flavored Dental Rings Senior Dog Treats
  • These bones are ring-shaped
  • They are fortified with minerals that are particularly good for senior dogs
  • Some nutrients include DHA, omega-3, glucosamine, and chondroitin
  • These nutrients support eye, brain, and joint health
  • Includes fewer allergens than most other dog bones since it doesn't include wheat, rawhide, soy, or corn
Check Chewy

4. Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Jungle Calling Rawhide Free Dog Treats

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or digestive issues, a dog bone that is gentle and easy to digest like the Jungle Calling Rawhide Free Dog Treats would be best.

They contain collagen which may help ease some of your dog’s digestive issues or at the very least, not contribute to them. These bones are made in peanut butter and cranberry favor and are high in both protein and fiber.

As an added benefit, these dog bones help reduce any plaque and tartar buildup that your dog may have which will help freshen its breath and keep its teeth and gums healthy and clean. Just like it is for us, good oral health is also a good indicator of digestive health, as they are both connected in a way—this goes for your dog as well and these bones may help benefit both.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, these bones are free of rawhide which makes them very gentle on the stomach. Bones that are free of rawhide are healthier and safer for dogs to consume. They are also much easier to digest which makes them great for dogs that have a sensitive stomach but still want to enjoy the treat of having a tasty dog bone every once in a while.

However, some customers have reported that their dogs eat these treats quickly.

Pros and Cons of the Jungle Calling Rawhide Free Dog Treats

ProsCons
These bones are completely free from rawhide.Some dogs eats these treats quickly.
They are a tasty peanut and cranberry flavor.
They are high in protein and fiber.
They help to remove plaque and tartar build up on teeth.
Best for Sensitive Stomachs
Jungle Calling Rawhide Free Dog Treats
  • These bones contain collagen, which may be easier for dogs with sensitive stomachs to digest
  • Made in peanut butter and cranberry flavors
  • High in protein and fiber
  • Reduce tartar and plaque buildup and freshens breath
  • Rawhide-free
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best dog bone for your large dog, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind; health, quality, and safety. Making sure that you choose a dog bone for your large dog based on these qualities will help ensure that you make the most informed choice for your dog and its specific needs.

Health: The first thing you’ll want to consider when searching for a bone for your dog is the health of the product. Is the dog bone healthy enough for your dog to safely consume? In order to determine this, you should check to be sure that there are as few ingredients in the bone as possible. Dog bones do not need to contain a large number of ingredients in order to be healthy. In fact, the fewer ingredients a dog bone has, the better. This will ensure that your dog is not ingesting a bunch of unnecessary ingredients that could be harmful or detrimental to its health over time.

Quality: The next thing you’ll want to consider is the quality of the dog bone. So you’ve made sure that there aren’t a bunch of unnecessary ingredients, but what is the quality of those ingredients? You want to check that the dog bone you choose not only has minimal ingredients but that the ingredients it does have are of high quality. Does the dog bone contain corn and soy? These are not high-quality ingredients and should be avoided if possible, as they tend to be common allergens for dogs and can lead to an upset stomach or the development of digestive issues.

Safety: The last thing to check is the safety of the dog bone. Unfortunately, there are many dog bones out there that aren’t safe for dogs to consume. Low-quality bones may break off into shards or large pieces that could either become a choking hazard or damage your dog’s digestive system slowly over time. You want to avoid rawhide bones, as these are not easy for dogs to digest and can do damage to their digestive system if consumed in excess.

The Different Types of Dog Bones: Pros and Cons Compared

There are a few different types of dog bones that are available for you to get for your dog. The type of dog bone you choose will depend on several factors like your specific dog’s needs and whether or not your dog has a sensitive stomach for example. Let’s go over some of the different types of dog bones you can buy:

  • Natural: This is the purest form of dog bone you can get for your dog. It is an actual bone from an animal (usually cattle) and is typically smoked or treated with a flavor to make the bone even more appealing to your dog.
  • Chew Toy: These might be a good option for dogs that tend to be aggressive chewers and need something that would last them a bit longer than a regular dog bone would. These are designed to be tougher and withstand your large dog’s aggressive chewing, biting, and tossing, all while having the appearance, and sometimes even flavor of a real dog bone.
  • Rawhide: This one is one you want to be cautious of. There are many dog bones available that are made of rawhide since they can be cheap and very affordable. As we mentioned before, this is a material that you don’t want to give your dog as it is very difficult for many dogs to digest. Large chunks can be broken off and swallowed which put your dog at a high risk of choking or having an obstruction in its digestive system. If you have a dog that has a sensitive stomach, avoid giving them a dog bone that is made from rawhide.

Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of each type of dog bone we mentioned:

Natural

ProsCons
They are the most natural option.They can be more expensive.
They are very nutritious.They may not last long for aggressive chewers.
They are full of flavor.
They contain beneficial marrow.

Chew Toys

ProsCons
They are a good option for aggressive chewers.They do not have any nutritional benefits.
They are long-lasting.They cannot clean teeth as well as traditional bones.
They can come in several different flavors.

Rawhide

ProsCons
They are affordable.They are a major choking hazard.
They can help to clean teeth.They can cause a digestive blockage.
They can cause gastrointestinal issues.

About the Author

Freelance writer specializing in natural health and wellness.

The Best Dog Bones for Big Dogs FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the benefits of a chew toy bone?

The main benefits of a chew toy are that they are durable and are not likely to have any small pieces break off or be a choking hazard.

What are the main benefits of a natural bone?

The benefits of a natural bone is that they can help to clean teeth and remove plaque and tartar.  They also have nutritional benefits.

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