Benefits of Beef Tendons for Dogs
Beef tendons are nutritious, low-fat chews for dogs which help improve dental health, as well as mental health, by providing plenty of chewing time. They also contain glucosamine and chondroitin which helps to improve joint health.
Mental Health Beef tendons can provide a few hours of enjoyable chewing which releases endorphins.
Dental Health Beef tendons fray as they are chewed and the fibres have an abrasive, cleaning effect.
Joint Health Beef tendons contain glucosamine and chondroitin which are linked to cartilage production and improved joint fluid.
Beef tendons are tough to chew through, and will keep your dog entertained for hours. Constant chewing stimulates the release of endorphins; natural compounds which help your dog feel happy and relaxed. Coupled with the hour or two of distraction that a beef tendon will provide your dog, they are ideal to improve your dog’s mental health, especially if they are a worrier, suffer from separation anxiety, or need some distraction through a thunderstorm or fireworks display.
Also, chewing through tendons helps improve your dog’s dental health. The chewing action provides abrasion against the teeth, resulting in less plaque build-up and cleaner teeth.
Beef tendons are full of connective tissue. This is high in protein and low in fat, and also naturally contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These compounds have been scientifically proven to improve joint cartilage health of osteoarthritic dogs. Glucosamine and chondroitin are precursors for cartilage, and stimulate the production of glucosaminoglycans (GAGs) which make up cartilage. They also improve joint fluid through stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid.
However, there is a variable amount of glucosamine and chondroitin in each individual product, and it is unlikely to be sufficient to make enough of a difference alone. Therefore, joint supplements are a superior option to ensure your dog is provided with a clinically relevant dose of the compounds. It’s also important to remember that neither supplements or beef tendon chews are substitutes for taking your dog to the vet to receive treatment when he is uncomfortable.
Beef tendons are also highly nutritious. As already mentioned are high in protein and low in fat, making them excellent choices for dogs which are overweight. The average guaranteed analysis is:
Protein is an integral part of your dog’s diet and helps keep muscles strong, as well as synthesise DNA and hormones. A dog’s diet should be made up of predominantly protein, so beef tendons contribute to it very well.
Beef tendons are low in fat and low in calories, enabling you to feel guilt free about giving them to your dog. However it doesn’t mean they are completely fat-free, so remember to take a small amount of food away from your dog’s daily ration to make up for eating a beef tendon.
Given all the benefits, you’ll probably want to give them as regularly as possible. Well the good news is, medium and large dogs can have a beef tendon daily. Smaller dogs shouldn’t have more than five a week, as beef tendons are quite large, but you can break or saw them in half and give your smaller dog a chew daily if you wish.
Disadvantages & Risks of Beef Tendons for Dogs
You can feed beef tendons often with virtually no risk. Just be sure to remove the last piece (especially if your dog is a gulper) to reduce the risk of choking.
There are very few risks associated with beef tendons, however, as with all treats which are tough, you should take it away when it becomes small enough to swallow whole (especially if your dog is a gulper!). This will prevent your dog from choking on the last bit of the treat.
But generally, beef tendons are easily digestible, so as long as it makes it to the stomach, it should be broken down by the stomach acid and pass through the rest of the intestines with no issues.
There are very few cases where you have to avoid giving your dog beef tendons. Naturally, if your dog is allergic to beef, they are not a good idea as they are full of beef protein. But otherwise, they are suitable for all dog breeds of all shapes, sizes and most ages.
Puppies can be given beef tendons from 16 weeks of age. They are perfect for distracting bitey puppies when they go through their crocodile phase! They also help relieve those itchy gums when your puppy loses his baby teeth to be replaced by adult teeth around six months old.
Like the sound of beef tendons but not quite sold on them? Why not try one of these alternatives?
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.
5 Things Dog Owners Need to Know About Cruciate Ligaments
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Your dog eats your shoes? Snacks on the legs of your table? Chews the corners of your walls?
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The predecessors of our beloved pups derived a balanced diet—fat, vegetable products, protein and minerals—by consuming the meat and bones of the animals they ate. Gnawing was and is an essential activity for a healthy dog. But FYI – always supervise! Watch for splinters, jagged edges and ends that might result in choking.
It’s up to us to give our dogs appropriate options for this natural behavior. What’s appropriate? At AAMD we ask the question a different way. We ask, What’s natural?
Yes! Bully sticks and beef tendons are a satisfying, natural option. Dogs love the give in the chew and the progress they make while consuming them. These gnawables do not splinter. They are easily digestible and soften at the ends to provide a natural source of nutrition. Bully sticks come air-dried and smoked. We recommend air-dried because they are easier on your dog’s digestive system, and not offensive to your sensitive nose. We do not recommend bones processed with chemicals or imported from China.
Yes! Bully sticks sourced from responsible, natural vendors offer a great gnaw! Avoid bully sticks that smell bad, are processed with chemicals, or imported from countries with sketchy manufacturing practices. Local is best!
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Yes! Raw bones are softer, more pliable and filled with nutrition than cooked bones. Cooked bones are brittle—they can break into shards. Just because bones are natural, doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. For voracious chewers, healthy, hard gnawables include knuckle bones, Himalayan chews, elk antlers, cow hooves, and buffalo horns!
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A big fat no! Rawhide can be swallowed in chunks that stay in your dog’s stomach for a long time.
Also no! Bones made of fillers and by products are not as desirable as natural options like bully sticks. Not only do these processed bones contain unwanted and unnecessary ingredients, but they crumble. They don’t offer a good gnaw!
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Canines (and humans) need to balance protein intake with fat. Bone marrow contains more than 50% fat. Bones also contain minerals necessary to sustain life, including Magnesium, Sodium, Copper, Zinc and Iron. Check out the minerals in one elk antler:
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Dogs, even small ones, have strong jaws. Sources say that the average Chihuahua has a bite force of 250 pounds per square inch. Rottweilers top out at 328 pounds of bite pressure, German Shepherds at 238 psi, and the American Pit Bull Terrier at 235 pounds of pressure. Nature gave canines the equipment with which to gnaw and crush bones. A toy stuffed with peanut butter is not going to cut it.
Okay, this one is for us humans. Bones come from natural sources. Some like elk antlers, are shed every year and picked off the ground.
Like toddlers, puppies explore the world through their mouths. But adult dogs need to chew, too. Gnawing relieves stress and anxiety. Gnawing is nature’s way of cleaning a dog’s teeth. Dogs will gnaw on whatever is available: shoes, furniture, rugs, and legs. It’s up to us, their loving pack leaders, to provide appropriate gnaw options.