The Bones on Bones!
Dogs love to chew! People ask a lot what is the best recreational chew for their dogs.The answer to this actually depends on your chewer!
If your dog wants to consume everything he chews on, a good whole beef knuckle is a good choice. If your dog is a medium chewer ( can chew but leave it when not wanting anymore, I use beef knee /patellas, Both are round bones so that teeth are not coming together flat and putting too much pressure on jaw and teeth. Flat bones like ribs for these kind of chewers are not the best choice due to the forces on the jaw as teeth coming together flat. A grazer would be ok with a flat rib but for my dogs it is not an option.
Certainly processed chews are not a good option. Poor digestibility, chemicals and additives that your K9 probably shouldn't be eating. I know of people who's dogs have had to have rawhides removed surgically from the intestines. Not a good choice for your K9. So what are some good choices from puppy teething to adulthood? See the following list of great chews for your teething puppy up to adult dog! Always to supervise your puppy or dog with chews! Stay away from smoked bones.
Beef Neck Bone - This is a great bones for this breed, its full of crevices of meat that certainly keeps a lab entertained! Its enrichment as they work to try to get the meat. Also a softer bone that is easily digestible. Ensure that the neck bone is an appropriate size for your dog. At least the size of your hand. Great for adult dogs.
Beef Knee caps (patellas) - This is a great chew for teething puppies and adult dogs also who are not "consumers". Medium chewers do well with these. They are round so no forces on the jaw bone. They have to scrape their teeth, larges pieces do not break off. They will scrape and scrape but take away when it gets too small. For puppies its wonderful. They will chew and carry it around. Cannot get big pieces off. Great for teething.
Beef Knuckles - These are great bones for "consumers". Large enouph that they cannot gulp and swallow. Round in shape so as not to put too much force on the jaw bone and teeth. A great chew to keep a consumer busy and happy for a while. Certainly supervise and take away as needed, can easily be put back in a bag in freezer for another day!
Beer Ribs - These bones are ok for and adult "grazer" Not for dogs who are aggressive chewers due to the forces a flat bone can put on the teeth and jaw, For young teething puppies they can be good as puppy teeth wont bite through them. Ensure to always supervise.
Beer Marrow Bones - These bones are a very hard leg bearing bone. Full of marrow which contains much fat. For a dog who does not want to consume they can be ok Although can cause loose stool due to the high fat content in the marrow. Marrow is good for your dog but too much can cause digestive upset. Bones are very hard and peices can be sharp when broken off. If your dog is a grazer or medium chewer, may just chew a little and lick the marrow out, these bones are ok but again, always supervise.
Pork Femur - These bones are also a leg bearing bone although softer than a Beef Marrow bone. They can be good for the medium to grazer type of chewer.
Lamb Bones - I have used lamb bones mostly for puppies due to it being difficult to find Lamb Bones in a good size for an adult Labrador. For young puppies assorted Lamb bones or trotters do well. Always supervise.
The following smaller bones are great for a treat or part of a meal for an adult Lab for added calcium, minerals and collagen. and also great chews for puppies for teething. Frozen or thawed (I prefer frozen for my dogs)
Chicken wings Duck necks Duck wings Duck Feet Chicken feet Goose neck
Rabbit Feet
