Bones! Every dog’s dream comes true and is the epitome of bliss.
German Shepherds are powerful chewers that need bones that hold up well under pressure.
Giving your German Shepherd the right bone is imperative, or you’ll end up with a destroyed bone in minutes that could even be potentially dangerous.
Your GSD will happily spend hours chewing, but the wrong bone could lead to injury or even worse.
The best bones for a German Shepherd are large uncooked beef or lamb shank bones that are bigger than their mouth so that they are unable to swallow it whole.
Never feed cooked bones that can splinter, it isn’t worth the risk!
Veterinarians are constantly treating numerous dogs that busted their intestines with cooked, splintered bones.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The top 5 bones for GSDs
- What to avoid in odg bones for GSDs
- How to pick the right bones
And much more!
| Image | Product | |||
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Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Elk Rack Snack by Chasing Our Tails
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| View on Amazon |
Runner Up  | Runner Up | Nylabone Healthy Edibles Bison Dog Chew Treats
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | K9 Connoisseur Dog Bones
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| View on Amazon |
 | Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Greenies Dental Treats
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On February 5, 2022
This yummy elk antler contains healthy ingredients such as calcium, manganese, potassium, and zinc, so it does a great job of keeping tartar off of your dog’s teeth.
Best of all, it never leaves any oily residue on your floors and never has a bad odor, even after it’s been around for a very long time.
The Elk Rack Snack is a high-quality, heavy-duty snack that your German Shepherd can enjoy for a long time without getting bored.
Our Top 5 Best Dog Bones For German Shepherds
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 GSD dog bones! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
Why Give Dog Bones To Your German Shepherd?
Clean Teeth
Chewing on the bone helps stimulate the saliva enzymes and helps get rid of any food trapped in your dog’s teeth.
It also prevents the build-up of tartar and keeps the teeth healthy and clean. This will help to avoid any trips to the vet for extractions or scaling of the teeth.
Ten to twenty minutes of chewing after a meal should do the trick.
Helps your GSD avoid bad chewing habits
Save your shoes, clothing, or furniture! A bone will keep their attention and hopefully prevent them from any destructive chewing habits.
Minerals and Nutrients
Raw bones are full of minerals and nutrients that can help your dog’s bone development.
These are excellent for larger breed dogs such as the German Shepherd because of their quick growth, they need the extra calcium for their large skeletal system.
What Bones Should you avoid giving your German Shepherd?
Bones that are cut up into small pieces
This would include knucklebones and ox-tail bones that have been cut.
Cooked bones
Store-bought or leftover cooked bones should be chucked. Cooked bones are soft and can splinter within the gut, leading to injury and an expensive trip to the vet.
Rawhide Bones
Stay away from these bones as they are a choking risk. The rawhide can get soft after your GSD chews on it for a while.
Because of this, your dog can easily tear off big chunks which can be swallowed if unsupervised.
Bones that are too small
Stay away from chicken, pork, or rib bones which are common but unfortunately dangerous. They can splinter and cause injury to the mouth and gut.
Read More: >> What treats are best for GSDs?
What are the Risks Of Giving Your German Shepherd a Bone?
Always supervise your GSD when giving bones. A few unfortunate accidents can lead to problems and a hefty vet bill.
Here are a few things to look out for when giving bones to your German Shepherd.
Blockage
Pieces of bone tend to get stuck in the small intestines resulting in a blockage.
This block could either require surgery or it could pierce intestinal walls or move towards the large intestine causing constipation, serious discomfort, and rectal bleeding.
Bone stuck in the stomach
Larger bone pieces cannot move out of the stomach which would require abdominal surgery or endoscopy.
If it is a sharp bone piece, it can pierce stomach walls causing contents to leak into the dog’s abdomen.
Cracked teeth
Dogs can crack their teeth chewing on a hard bone such as a store-bought cooked bone.
This can lead to costly dental bills from the resulting extraction or even possible root canal needed to fix the tooth. Not to mention the pain it will cause your dog.
Mouth and tongue injuries
If a bone piece breaks while chewing, it can be sharp enough to cut the roof of the mouth or pierce the tongue and cheek.
Obstruction of the airway
Smaller bones can get stuck in the esophagus causing dogs to choke. If stuck in the trachea, it can cause difficulty in breathing for the dog.
Contaminated raw bones
The possibility of pathogen-contaminated raw bones cannot be ignored.
E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella are some probable organisms that can be dangerous to dogs as well as to humans.
Ring around the mouth
During play, round-shaped bones might become lodged around the dog’s lower jaw. It can be really difficult to get it out from the lower canine teeth.
The only way to get rid of it is to take your dog to the emergency vet, where the treatment would involve anesthesia.
Read More: >> What are the best dog foods for German Shepherds?
How To Pick A Dog Bone For A German Shepherd
German Shepherds are large, powerful dogs that can be voracious chewers.
While chewing is a good habit, your shoes and furniture might not be safe until you successfully direct his attention to the proper outlet, like bones!
Choosing which bone to give your dog can be a time-consuming task since you want to make the right choice while getting something good for your German Shepherd.
Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect chew toy for your beloved pooch.
- You’ll want an all-natural product that doesn’t contain any chemicals, additives or artificial flavors
- Extra points if it’s also healthy and digestible
- Durable and able to last the jaws of a German Shepherd
- Always supervise your dog when they are chewing on bones, especially if there are smaller dogs or children around
- Try to alternate between smoked bones and raw bones to keep your German Shepherd interested
- Make sure the bone doesn’t have any sharp edges which may pose a choking hazard. If it does, throw it out
Our Reviews Of The Best 5 dog Bones For German Shepherds
Pick #1: Elk Rack Snack by Chasing Our Tails
Containing calcium, manganese, potassium and zinc, this elk antler is shed naturally by elks, no harm done!
Durable and hardy, it keeps the tartar off your GSD’s teeth and never leaves oily residue on the floor.
It doesn’t have any bad odors even after a while and makes an excellent choice for a high-quality, heavy-duty snack for your German Shepherd.
Pros
- Withstand super aggressive chewers
- Natural ingredients
- Elk shed antlers naturally, no elk harmed
Cons
- Not as long lasting as originally planned for
Pick #2: Nylabone Healthy Edibles Bison Dog Chew Treats
This one is a cheaper option for those who can’t afford to buy a whole bag. Instead, this product allows you to get two premium and organic bones at a very low price.
These bones come from American Bison. Bison is one of the leanest meats around and is exceptionally high in protein.
These are fortified bones with pea protein, making them even more packed with healthy benefits.
Unlike many commercial chew bones, this one is edible, so you don’t have to worry about choking or blockages.
Pros
- A high-class treat at a low price
- Bison meat is very lean and high in protein
- Completely edible
Cons
- Only two small bones in the package
- A little added salt
Pick #3: K9 Connoisseur Dog Bones
This product is a very simple one, as it consists of nothing but cow bones.
They are roasted to preserve them and keep the flesh attached to them from rotting, which would be a serious health hazard.
These bones are completely natural and contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients whatsoever.
This company appears to be ethical as all of their dog bones come from organic, free-range cattle that are fed nothing but grain.
Interestingly, these bones are evaluated using the same safety standards that would be used for human consumption.
You can be pretty sure that these are safe for your German Shepherd.
There are few complaints of these bones being brittle, possibly due to roasting, and that means your dog will dispose of it much quicker.
Don’t expect this bone to last for very long, because large dogs like a German Shepherd will enjoy crunching it down to nothing!
Pros
- Nice and simple (only one ingredient)
- Sourced from free-range cattle
- Evaluated by the same standards used for human food
Cons
- More expensive
- A little bit brittle
Pick #4: Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats
This brand has been around since 1908, and to the best of our knowledge, they have not had any serious product issues over that time.
This particular product is a 10-pound box of biscuits, which probably contains 100 bones or more.
Considering the low cost of this product, you are getting great value here.
Unless you go crazy, a package like this should last for a long time. Due to their higher fat content, it isn’t good to give your dog Milk-Bones daily anyway.
These bones are fortified with lots of vitamins and minerals, making them a good way to supplement your dog’s normal diet.
At the same time, their crunchy texture helps to clean the dog’s teeth.
Pros
- Trusted brand with a good reputation
- Great value
- Lots of different varieties
Cons
- No chewing benefits
- Older dogs might want something softer
Pick #5: Greenies Dental Treats
This is another popular variety of bone treats.
These treats are given for one purpose only – to clean your dog’s teeth.
This helps to defray their unusually high cost because you don’t have to give them to your dog every day.
Just give them one treat per week so that their teeth can get a good cleaning.
The shape of these treats is like a little toothbrush as it is intended to help the dog get a deep cleaning.
If your dog isn’t chewing on it the right way, you can take one of these treats and use it as a toothbrush before allowing the dog to munch it down.
It can supplement your dog’s dental health, but it’s not a stand-alone solution.
Pros
- Meant to provide maximum dental hygiene
- Helps with bad breath
- Can be used as a toothbrush
Cons
- Pricier than most
What is the best thing for a German Shepherd to chew on?
Bones! Look for healthy, digestible bones with natural ingredients and no added preservatives. Bonus points for durability and ability to outlast the jaws of a German Shepherd.
Are rawhide bones safe for German Shepherds?
Rawhide can be processed with chemicals and dangerous substances. In addition, although uncommon, some dogs have choked on rawhide and had problems with undigested rawhide.
Are Nylabones safe for German Shepherds?
Yes! Nylabones are large, flavored bones that are made of durable nylon. They will not last forever but will give your German Shepherd numerous hours of chewy fun.
Our Top Pick: Elk Rack Snack by Chasing Our Tails
These naturally shed elk antlers will keep your German Shepherd entertained for hours! Durable and sturdy, they can stand up to the most voracious chewers.
This chewy contains calcium, manganese, potassium, and zinc.
They keep the tartar off your GSD’s teeth and never leave an oily residue on the floor.
It doesn’t have any bad odors even after a while and makes an excellent choice for a high-quality, heavy-duty snack for your German Shepherd.
Read More: >> What are the best foods for GSDs with skin allergies?
Conclusion
I hope this article provided you with enough information to make an informed decision about what dog bone to get your precious German Shepherd.
Always remember to do your homework and keep an eye on your German Shepherd when they’re gnawing on a bone.
Bones are indeed beneficial to your dog’s health and can be a fun chew toy. Plus, your furniture and shoes will thank you!
