Are beef tendons OK for dogs? The Ultimate Guide

What Are Beef Tendons for Dogs?

Beef tendons are thick, connective tissue that comes from cows. Tendons attach muscle to bone (just like the Achilles tendon in your heel), so they’re thick and fibrous.

Beef tendons aren’t as hard as bones that may crack your dog’s teeth, but they can withstand a fair bit of chewing and are considered a moderately long-lasting dog chew, keeping your doggo busy for a long time.

In terms of size and thickness, they’re roughly comparable to bully sticks.

Besides being a relatively safe dog chew option that shouldn’t splinter, beef tendons are rich in valuable proteins, including collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and elastin.

The Disadvantages of Beef Tendons for Dogs

While beef tendons are an excellent option for many dogs, they aren’t the right chew for every canine. Before bringing them home to your chewy buddy to ensure they’re a good fit, there are some cons to be aware of.

The biggest drawbacks of beef tendons for dogs are:

They can be a choking hazard. Every chew has the potential to cause choking, including beef tendons. Always monitor your dog to ensure he has a happy, healthy chew session. If he tends to swallow chews whole, beef tendons aren’t a good fit.

They’re not especially long-lasting. Heavy chewers can easily power through many beef tendon products. Longer, thicker cuts may last longer, but this isn’t always the case.

They may be too hard for some dogs. Some beef tendons are too dense or stiff for small dogs, puppies, or seniors to chew. They also come in long strips that can be tricky for smaller dogs to wield, though sometimes you can safely snap them in half for your pup to enjoy.

They may cause stomach upset. As may occur with any chew, your dog’s tummy may not tolerate beef tendons. This is usually seen in tendons treated with smoke, bastes, or featuring meaty bits. To lessen your dog’s chances of stomach problems, don’t let your dog eat the entire tendon in one session until you know how his tummy handles them.

They can be a bit stinky. Beef tendons may have an unpleasant smell if you have a sensitive sniffer. This is more so an issue with smoked or basted tendons and isn’t as bad as hooves.

Some beef tendons are messy. Some beef tendons splinter into smaller bits, depending on the drying process. They may also feature a baste that can stain or leave a film behind on your furniture or dog’s paws.

Beef tendons are made of, you know, beef. While it is a great protein for many four-footers, beef isn’t something every dog can. That said, there are a number of protein alternatives sold in tendon form, including kangaroo and turkey (also, check out our section about beef tendon alternatives below).

Consider your dog’s chewing habits, health, and sensitivities when browsing chews like beef talons. This allows you to make the best, safest decision for him.

Are beef tendons OK for dogs?

Beef tendons may not be the chew for your pooch, but there are plenty of other chews to choose from that might be. What works best for your pooch will depend on his chew style and health.

Great alternatives to beef tendon chews include:

Bully sticks: Bully sticks are made from bull penis, but don’t let that scare you. Also known as pizzle, this material is dried similar to beef tendon and lasts quite a while for most puppers.

Yak chews: Made of dried and hardened yak’s milk, these chews are another natural chew that lasts. They won’t trigger any beef sensitivities, but they can be an issue for dogs who can’t tolerate dairy, especially yak cheeses that contain cow’s milk.

Beef collagen chews: Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues and bones that has the same joint-pleasing perks as beef tendon chews. Formed into rolls, these chews are a popular alternative to traditional rawhides.

Cow ears: Cow ears have been a tried and true dog favorite for generations. Since they’re severed ears and sometimes processed with greasy additives, they aren’t every owner’s favorite, but they are highly digestible, cheap, and lower in fat than other options.

Beef tracheas: Also known as a cow’s windpipe, these hollow chews are a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin and are also pretty cheap. Unfortunately, these are one of the messier dog chew options.

These are the best natural-based options, but you can also try nylon chews or another of the best dog chews that might be good fits for your floof.

Whether you opt for beef tendons or some other all-natural chew, always make sure your pooch has access to plenty of clean, fresh water. This will help him wash it all down and avoid dehydration.

What to Do If Your Puppy Swallowed a Beef Tendon?

Chewing a beef tendon should not pose any grave risk to your dog. The tendon is easy to digest and should not create any blockage or obstruction once it is in your dog’s system.

However, you should also keep an eye on your dog when they are chewing on a tendon and take the piece away when it is small enough to swallow. If your dog or pup has a tendency to swallow treats enthusiastically, this is even more important.

In most cases, it should not be a problem but in the case of puppies, for instance, you should be proactive as the oesophageal passage is still small. If you find that your puppy has swallowed a beef tendon, the following are some of the things you may want to look out for:

BEEF TENDONS FOR DOGS (The Good, and the Bad)

Everyone loves giving their dog a treat! Whether you’re presenting your dog with a long-lasting chew, or using bite-sized treats to train your dog good behavior or learning a new task, giving your dog a food reward is a fun and powerful way of bonding with your dog.

Tendons are becoming one of the most popular natural chews available, loved by both dogs and their owners. Here are just a few reasons why every pet supply store should have a selection of tendons for their customers:

There is a wide variety of tendons available on the market, from different protein sources (beef being the most commonly found), with a range of sizes and shapes, depending on the specific tendon location (the tendons in the above are all cut from a long beef Achilles tendon, but you’ll likely find other types of tendons on the market, such as the tibial tendon).

Since dogs are all individuals, with various chewing abilities and preferences, you may want to experiment with stocking different tendons at your Chew Bar and seeing which ones your customers gravitate towards the most!