Benebone Alternatives: Safe, Durable Chews for Dogs

Benebone chews have become a popular choice for dog owners looking for a safer, longer-lasting chew toy. Made of nylon and real food ingredients, Benebones are designed to be gentler on dogs’ teeth than some other hard chews.

However, some dog owners have concerns about Benebone safety. Additionally, while Benebones do tend to last longer than some chews, heavy chewers can still demolish them quickly.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Benebone that prioritizes safety and durability, there are several great options to consider. Here’s an overview of some of the top Benebone competitors to help you find the right chew for your pup.

Alternatives To Benebone For Dogs

Here is a list of them!

1. Nylabone Alternatives
2. Purina Busy Alternatives
3. Himalayan Dog Chew Alternatives
4. Bully Sticks Alternatives
5. Petstages Orka Chew
6. West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Chew Toy
7. PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist n’ Treat

Let’s talk about them in detail.

Nylabone Alternatives

Nylabone is probably the most well-known brand when it comes to tough dog chews. They’ve been around for decades and offer a huge range of chew styles, flavors, and durability levels. Here are some of their most popular long-lasting chews:

Nylabone DuraChews

Made in the USA, Nylabone DuraChews are designed specifically for aggressive chewers.

They’re durable nylon chews that are safer for dogs than cooked bones.

The raised bristles and nubs help clean teeth.

DuraChews come in a variety of flavors like bacon, chicken, and peanut butter.

Pros

• Extremely tough and durable
• Made in USA
• Promote dental health

Cons

• Can splinter if chewed to small pieces
• Not digestible

Nylabone Giant and Monster Chews

For large and giant breed dogs, Nylabone’s Giant and Monster size chews are a great pick. They’re made from tough nylon and come in bone, knot, and ring shapes. The extra-large sizes provide more chewing satisfaction.

Pros

• Perfect for big chewers
• Long-lasting
• Available in multiple shapes/flavors

Cons

• Higher cost due to large size
• Can break off in smaller pieces

Nylabone Healthy Edibles

The Nylabone Healthy Edibles line is made from tougher nylon plus ingredients like real chicken and apples. They offer some dental benefits along with yummy flavors dogs love. There are various chew shapes and sizes for different chewers.

Pros

• Tasty real food flavors
• Somewhat digestible
• Promote dental health

Cons

• Don’t last as long as regular Nylabones
• Higher calorie than regular Nylabones

Purina Busy Alternatives

Purina Busy chews feature a twisted knotted shape that provides an unpredictable bounce and long-lasting appeal. Here are some top alternatives:

Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy

This wishbone shaped chew from Benebone has a similar unpredictable bounce when dogs play with it.

It’s made from tough nylon infused with real food ingredients like bacon, chicken, or peanut butter.

The curved shape is perfect for holding and chewing.

Pros

• Real food flavor
• Engaging irregular bounce
• Ergonomic shape for holding

Cons

• May not last as long for aggressive chewers
• Can chip off smaller pieces

Petstages Dogwood Stick

The Dogwood stick from Petstages has knots along its length that create an interesting texture for chewing. It bounces and wobbles in unpredictable ways to keep dogs engaged. The durable wood construction stands up well to strong chewers.

Pros

• Wood construction is very durable
• Knots create interesting texture
• Unique bounce and wobble

Cons

• May be too small for large breed dogs
• Some dogs don’t like wood flavor

Planet Dog Mazee

This maze-like ball from Planet Dog is similar to the Busy shapes in that it’s unpredictable when chewed and batted around. It has soothing mint flavor and is gentle on teeth. The molded maze channels help clean teeth and massage gums.

Pros

• Unpredictable bounce
• Mint-infused and gentle on teeth
• Maze texture cleans teeth

Cons

• Could be quickly demolished by extreme chewers
• Plastic may not appeal to some dogs

Himalayan Dog Chew Alternatives

Himalayan Dog Chews are a popular choice thanks to their unique hardness that keeps dogs entertained for hours. Here are some comparable extra hard chews.

Antler Dog Chews

Naturally shed antlers from deer and elk last far longer than bones and most man-made chews.

Their extreme density keeps even the most determined chewers busy.

Antlers have an appealing flavor for most dogs.

Pros

• Very long-lasting
• Natural material
• Doesn’t splinter

Cons

• Can be expensive
• Hardness may damage some teeth
• May harbor bacteria if not cleaned

Gorilla Wood Chews

These ultra-tough wood chews are made from gorilla wood branches. They’re naturally hardened through an extraction process. The wood shape provides a natural chewing experience dogs love. Different sizes suit dogs from 15 to 150+ pounds.

Pros

• Extremely durable hard wood
• All-natural material
• Recycled branches put to good use

Cons

• Expensive
• May be too hard for some dogs’ teeth

Benebone RealWood Sticks

Benebone now makes RealWood sticks crafted from naturally shed antlers and real wood. They provide seriously long-lasting chewing time and appeal to dogs’ natural chewing instincts. Real food flavors like bacon and chicken make them extra enticing to dogs.

Pros

• Naturally durable, dense materials
• Real food flavors
• Wooden texture cleans teeth

Cons

• Prices tend to be high
• Density can damage teeth if chewed too aggressively

Bully Sticks Alternatives

Bully sticks offer a tasty meaty chewing experience that keeps dogs entertained for a decent amount of time. Here are some alternatives that offer a similar chewing experience:

Yak Chews

Like bully sticks, yak chews are made from free-range yak and cattle milk in Mongolia. The cheese is dried into a hard chew. Yak chews last longer than bully sticks and have a mild, palatable flavor. Different sizes are available.

Pros

• Longer-lasting alternative to bully sticks
• Protein-rich and tasty
• All-natural product

Cons

• Expensive
• Can cause digestive issues if swallowed in large pieces

Pig Skin Twists

These crunchy, spiral-cut pig skins offer a tasty, meaty chewing experience similar to bully sticks. They’re digestible and low-fat. Two ends give dogs twice the chewing fun!

Pros

• Satisfying meaty chewing
• Two chew sections per piece
• Contains natural enzymes for fresh breath

Cons

• May not last as long as bully sticks
• Can be high in calories

Beef Tendon Chews

Dense beef tendons are very tough, long-lasting chews. They take dogs a while to get through and have a nice beefy aroma and flavor. They promote dental health through chewing action.

Pros

• Naturally strong and durable
• Made from one ingredient
• Promotes good dental health

Cons

• Too hard for some dogs’ teeth
• Can cause digestive upset if pieces swallowed are too large

Churpi Chews

Churpi chews are made from yak and cow milk that’s curdled, dried, and hand-kneaded. They have a similar texture to bully sticks, but last longer. They’re rich in calcium and protein. Churpi chews are completely natural and have a subtly sweet flavor.

Pros

• Long-lasting like bully sticks
• Naturally sweet flavor
• Packed with nutrition

Cons

• Can be difficult to find
• Expensive compared to bully sticks

Petstages Orka Chew

This donut-shaped chew toy from Petstages provides long-lasting durability thanks to its solid rubber construction.

The treat-holding middle chamber gives dogs motivation to keep chewing.

Ridges clean teeth and the rubber material is gentle on gums.

Pros

• Extremely durable rubber
• Holds treats for added motivation
• Textured surface cleans teeth

Cons

• Some dogs may destroy rubber quickly
• Could pose choking risk if treat hole edges are chewed

West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Chew Toy

The Zogoflex Hurley bone from West Paw is made of proprietary ultra-durable rubber. It has a hole at each end for treats. The material is gentle on teeth and gums. Zogoflex toys are guaranteed against dog damage.

Pros

• Tough rubber stands up to aggressive chewers
• Guaranteed to replace damaged toys
• Treat-holding holes add interest

Cons

• Not designed for prolonged chewing sessions
• Some dogs don’t like rubber texture

PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist n’ Treat

This adjustable rubber chew toy has grooves that hold treats, adding extra chewing motivation for dogs. The rubber prongs twist and wobble in unpredictable ways to engage dogs. Adjustable ridges allow customizing chewing intensity.

Pros

• Rubber is extremely tough
• Holds treats to entice chewing
• Adjustable ridge sizes

Cons

• Must be monitored for choking risks
• Could damage teeth if chewed very aggressively

FAQ about Benebone Alternatives

Final Thoughts

There’s no definitive “best” chew that’s right for all dogs. You may have to experiment with a few different styles and textures to find your pup’s perfect match.

Focus on tough, durable chews made from quality materials to provide the safest, longest-lasting chewing satisfaction. Supervise your dog anytime they’re enjoying a chew toy and replace toys the minute they start to show wear.

With so many great chewing options to choose from, you’re sure to find the ideal chew to keep your dog happy, healthy and busy for hours on end.