No matter what bone you choose, size matters. The bone should be larger than your dog’s mouth so they can’t swallow it whole. For a Golden Retriever, a beef femur is fine. For a Chihuahua, stick to a small lamb shank or a puppy-sized chew.
Always supervise. I know, I know—you want to scroll Instagram while your dog chews. But accidents happen fast. If the bone gets too small, or if you hear a scary cracking sound, take it away. It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being present.
Also, trust your dog’s gut—literally. If they turn up their nose at a bone, don’t force it. And if they swallow huge chunks without chewing, switch to a softer option. Each dog is a unique little wolf with their own chewing style.