Here at Pawstruck.com, we often have pet parents ask, "What are the benefits to filled bones over regular bones?" Our Chief Canine Officer (CCO), Tyson, thinks that filled bones are just naturally better than regular bones, but he says that about anything that can be stuffed with bacon. While dogs may love that review, we figured that humans might want to know about more than just the fabulous flavor. In this article, we've broken down the benefits of Filled Bones, from how they're manufactured to their health benefits to why we think they're one of the best dog chews around. 

FAQs:

What are Filled Bones made of?

The foundation of a Filled Bone is the all natural white femur bone used to house the filling. The bone comes from cattle that is grass-fed, free-range and a natural source of calcium and phosphorus. They're manufactured in facilities that are USDA / FDA approved and always made in the USA. Our base bones never have any added flavors, colors, preservatives, or chemicals to keep your dog as safe as possible. Pawstruck has 3 different filling flavors: Cheese & Bacon, Beef, and Peanut Butter.  The flavors complement the bone and keep your dog occupied for longer as they try to get the filling out. Even once the filling is gone, they still have the natural femur bone to keep them busy.

How are Filled Bones Made?

To make Filled Bones, the process starts with a natural beef femur bone. The bone is sourced from free-range, grass-fed cattle and never contains added colors, preservatives, flavors, or chemicals. They are cleaned without using any chemicals and then moved to the saw room where they are cut to the appropriate size. Finally, using a patented technology, the bones are filled with their yummy flavor.

Are Filled Bones Safe For Dogs?

As with any bone, supervision is recommended when treating your dog. We take steps to ensure the integrity of the bone to minimize that possibility of splintering or breaking, but there is no guarantee with any bone that it won't happen. It is important to choose a size that is ideal for your dog and recommend removing the bone if you see your dog biting off large chunks or the remainder of the bone gets too small for safe chewing.  

Benefits:

Natural Dog Teeth Cleaning

It is vital for your dog to have good dental health (if you don't believe us, ask your vet!). The great thing about hard dog chews is that they help reduce tartar and plaque buildup as your dog chews. The actual action of chewing helps to strengthen their teeth. Dog bones are an excellent way to maintain your dog's dental health, but should not be used instead of regular cleanings or vet visits.

Long Lasting Chew Time

Promoting good dental health isn't the only thing that the Filled Bones are good for. The bones are an excellent way to satisfy your dog's natural want to chew (and chew and chew and chew) while also providing a tasty treat inside. The time it takes to eat all of the filling only adds to the chew time it takes your dog to get through their treat. Even once the filling is gone, your dog still has the natural beef femur bone to chew on!

Anxiety Reducer

Filled Bones are great for when you want to keep your dog distracted in stressful situations. You can give one during a long car ride, or other situations when your dog needs a distraction. Maybe you're very busy one day and Fido just won't stop begging you for attention; Filled Bones are handy to have in many situations.

Important Information: One Bone Doesn’t Fit All

We're not just talking about the filling that goes inside the bone; your dog will naturally have a preference of one over the other. We're talking about the size of the bone here. While we can't control the thickness on the walls of the bone (since they are a natural product) we can control the length. It is incredibly important to get the right size for your dog. The recommended size is a bone that is slightly larger than your dog's mouth, but it is always best to ask your veterinarian what size is best for your dog. Once you figure out the size, from there, all you have to do is pick a flavor! Tyson, Pawstruck CCO, recommends Beef or Cheese & Bacon, but you know your dog best. Once you've figured out size and filling, don't forget to supervise them with their new Filled Bone treat!

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IMPORTANT NOTE:  this blog post is only intended to be a reference guide and does not constitute veterinary/medical advice. 

FEEDING GUIDE:

• We always recommend supervision while feeding your pet any treat or chew.
• Remove any large, swallowable pieces to prevent blockages.
• Provide plenty of drinking water to help with digestion. Natural bones may splinter or break causing injury. Supervise use and feed in limited quantity if your pet is not used to this chew. If bone should splinter or break remove immediately. Discard any pieces that could be swallowed by your pet, as pieces can cause choking, gastric upset, or blockage. Remove the bone if your pet is trying to break it since chewing a hard chew this way could damage a pet’s teeth. Recommended chew size is slightly larger than your pet’s mouth. Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Still have questions about Filled Bones or how to "chews" the right treat for your dog? Give us a call at 1 (800) 715-4955. Our product specialists are more than happy to provide suggestions. If not, feel free to browse our entire line of Filled Bones for dogs.