Dog chews are an essential part of keeping your pup happy and entertained. Two of the most popular brands of durable chews are Barkbone and Nylabone. But which one should you choose for your energetic chewer?
Here’s an in-depth look at the pros, cons, safety, and reviews of Barkbone and Nylabone to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Barkbone | Nylabone |
| Ingredients | Real bone, wood, antlers, vegetables | Nylon polymer, real bone |
| Chewing Experience | Satisfying texture for hours of chewing | Durable for aggressive chewers |
| Dental Benefits | Abrasive for removing plaque and tartar | Textured to clean down to gumline |
| Safety | Natural, non-toxic, rigorously tested | Non-toxic nylon, passes through digestive system |
| Price | Premium, $15-$30 per chew | Budget-friendly, $3-$20 per chew |
| Reviews | Rave reviews for high quality | Extremely highly reviewed for durability |
| Best for Power Chewers | Beef bone, split antlers | DuraChew, Power Chew, Galileo bone |
Overview Of Barkbone And Nylabone
Barkbone and Nylabone are both made in the USA brands that produce a variety of veterinarian-recommended chewing options for dogs. They use some similar ingredients, like nylon and real bone, but have some differences as well.
Barkbone Chews
Barkbone focuses on using high-quality natural ingredients like real bones, antlers, wood, and vegetables. Their chews are baked for safety and infused with flavors like peanut butter, turkey, and bacon. The main goals of Barkbone are providing tasty chewing satisfaction and promoting better dental health in dogs through natural abrasives that help remove plaque and tartar as your dog chews.
Barkbone chews are made in the USA and have rigorous quality control standards. They avoid ingredients from China, using only FDA-approved materials sourced from the USA, New Zealand, Australia and South America.
Nylabone Chews
Nylabone makes chews from nylon polymer and real bone, designed to stand up to aggressive chewers. They have textured surfaces and shapes that provide dental hygiene benefits. The nylon Nylabone chews are infused with flavors like chicken and bacon through a process called macro-encapsulation that helps the taste last longer.
The Nylabone brand focuses on science and research in their product designs. They have an in-house team of scientists, engineers, and lab technicians that test their chews for safety and durability. Their goal is creating chews tough enough to challenge strong chewers.
Safety
Safety is a top concern when choosing a long-lasting chew for your dog. Here is how Barkbone and Nylabone compare when it comes to chew safety.
Is Barkbone Safe for Dogs?
Yes, Barkbone has rigorous safety standards to ensure their chews are non-toxic and safe for dogs. Their natural chews undergo extensive product testing both internally and through independent third-party laboratories. Barkbone also randomly tests their products for contaminants to ensure strict quality control.
The brand meets all safety regulations in the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and South America where they source their ingredients. They also meet FDA, USDA, and CFIA standards. Additionally, their manufacturing facilities are FDA registered.
Barkbone chews pass all toxicology tests and contain no harmful chemicals like paints, preservatives, or varnishes. Their rigorous safety processes give them veterinarian-recommended status.
Is Nylabone Safe for Dogs?
Nylabone also meets stringent standards for safety and non-toxicity. All of their recipes are tested internally for safety. Their nylon chews undergo additional testing by independent laboratories to ensure they pass standards for toxicity.
Both their natural bone chews and durable nylon chews are non-toxic and completely safe for dogs under normal use. The nylon used in Nylabone products is not digestible, so it passes through the digestive system without issue.
The Nylabone brand meets FDA regulations for safety. Their toys are proudly made in the USA. They also have an in-house team of scientists, engineers, and lab technicians focused on safety during product design.
Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, Barkbone focuses on natural options while Nylabone uses a blend of natural ingredients and nylon polymer.
Barkbone Ingredients
- Real bone
- Real wood
- Antlers
- Minerals
- Veggies
- Peanut butter
- Flavors like bacon, turkey, and cheese
Barkbone avoids any ingredients from China, instead using high-quality natural ingredients from the USA, New Zealand, Australia and South America. This gives their chews appeal for pet parents looking for natural chewing options.
Nylabone Ingredients
- Nylon polymer
- Real bone
- Real wood
- Flavors like chicken, beef, bacon
- Peanut butter
Nylabone uses nylon polymer for their extremely durable chews that stand up to aggressive chewing. They focus on science-based designs. Their nylon chews also include real wood and bone options. Flavors are added through a process Nylabone calls macro-encapsulation that helps them last longer.
Chewing Satisfaction
Both brands aim to provide long-lasting chewing satisfaction to keep dogs happy and busy. Here’s how they compare.
Barkbone Chewing Experience
Barkbone chews provide good chewing satisfaction thanks to their natural ingredients and flavors dogs love. Real bones, wood, antlers, and ingredients like peanut butter provide plenty of interest for chewers.
Owners say their dogs happily chew Barkbone for hours. The natural textures give a unique chewing experience. Most Barkbone chews last for weeks with aggressive chewers, while lighter chewers can enjoy them for months.
Nylabone Chewing Experience
Nylabone chews are designed specifically for avid, powerful chewers, so they provide very long-lasting chewing satisfaction. The nylon stands up to aggressive chewing, keeping dogs entertained for weeks or months. The textured nylon surfaces and real bone add chewing appeal.
Dog owners report Nylabone chews like the Power Chew keep their demanding chewers happy and occupied for impressively long. While softer chewers may grow bored with the harder nylon, these chews are ideal for super chewers.
Also Read: Is Lumabone Better Than Nylabone?
Dental Health Benefits
Promoting better dental health is another goal of both brands. Here’s how they compare for removing plaque and tartar.
Barkbone Dental Benefits
The natural textures and abrasive surfaces of Barkbone’s real bone, wood, and antler chews provide good dental cleaning benefits as dogs chew. These natural chews gently scrape away plaque and tartar buildup.
This provides better dental health and helps reduce the need for dental cleanings under anesthesia. Owners generally agree Barkbone chews help keep their dog’s teeth cleaner.
Nylabone Dental Benefits
Nylabone chews like the DuraChew have textured, abrasive surfaces designed specifically to help remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria as dogs chew. This promotes better dental health between teeth cleanings.
The brand’s scientists evaluate their chews’ effectiveness for dental health through clinical studies. Nylabone also has an Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal for their clinically proven dental health benefits. Their chews are veterinarian recommended for improving dental health.
Price Comparison
When comparing prices, Nylabone chews tend to be more budget-friendly while Barkbone is priced at more of a premium.
Barkbone Pricing
Barkbone chews range from $8 to $30 depending on the specific chew. Their bones, antlers, and wood chews fall on the higher end while their vegetable chews are very affordable.
You’re paying for the natural ingredients and rigorous safety testing with Barkbone. Expect to spend $15 to $25 for one of their premium real bone chews. This puts Barkbone in the premium price range when compared to other brands.
Nylabone Pricing
Nylabone chews start around $3 and range up to $20. Their softer chews and treats are very inexpensive. The durable Power Chew nylon bones can cost between $10 to $20 for a pack.
This generally makes Nylabone a very budget-friendly choice. Their prices are low considering how long their tough chews last even for aggressive chewers. You can get great value from Nylabone chews priced under $10 that still stand up to serious chewing.
Reviews
Here’s what dog owners have to say about their experience with Barkbone and Nylabone chews.
Barkbone Reviews
Barkbone chews get consistently positive reviews from pet parents. They love that the chews keep their dogs happily occupied for hours with the tasty flavors and textures. Owners also say the natural ingredients give them peace of mind.
Many reviewers say Barkbone chews last their energetic chewers a few weeks to a over month, which they’re very pleased with. The chews get rave reviews for being a tasty, long-lasting treat dogs love. Negative feedback is very rare and mostly related to preferences around pricing.
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Nylabone Reviews
Nylabone chews are extremely highly reviewed, with most giving them 5 stars. Dog owners say these chews stand up to incredibly aggressive chewers better than anything else. Even owners with extreme chewers say the Nylabone Power Chew lasts their pup 1-2 months with daily use.
The most common praise is that Nylabone chews last forever even for power chewers. Owners love that they don’t have to replace the chews constantly. Negative reviews come from dogs who can’t get into the hard nylon, so they’re not the best choice for soft chewers. But for serious chewers, Nylabone earns rave reviews.
Best Bones For Super Chewers
Super chewers require ultra-durable bones that can stand up to their intensity. Here are the best Barkbone and Nylabone options for aggressive chewers.
Best Barkbone Chews for Super Chewers
- Beef Bone Dog Chew – These thick, textured real beef leg bones provide a healthy chew super chewers will devour.
- Wooden Stick Chews – These tough, weathered wood chews stand up well to extreme chewers.
- Split Elk Antlers – Aggressive chewers can spend hours grinding down these split antlers.
Best Nylabone Chews for Super Chewers
- DuraChew Bone – This extra-tough nylon chew is made for the most extreme chewers. It lasts for months.
- Power Chew – Shaped like a classic bone, this exceptionally durable nylon chew stands up to vigorous chewing.
- Galileo Bone – The unique shape gives chewers an extra-satisfying experience with durable nylon.
Also Read: Comparison Between Lumabone And Benebone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, BarkBone chews are completely safe for dogs. They undergo extensive independent lab testing to ensure they contain no toxic chemicals or other hazards. BarkBone also sources their ingredients from FDA-approved locations and meets stringent quality standards that give veterinarians confidence in their safety.
Yes, Nylabone chews are veterinarian recommended. They have the VOHC dental health seal proving their plaque-fighting benefits. Vets also like that the nylon Nylabone chews are non-toxic and pass through the digestive system safely if ingested. Their safety testing gives vets added assurance.
For super chewers, the most recommended bones are:
Nylabone DuraChew – Extremely tough nylon bone made for the most aggressive chewers.
Barkbone Beef Bone – Thick, textured real bone that powerful chewers will love gnawing.
Nylabone Galileo Bone – Unique shape provides extra appeal for enthusiastic chewers.
Veterinarians praise Nylabone for their scientifically-designed nylon chews that help clean dogs’ teeth down to the gumline. The texture removes plaque and tartar. Vets recommend monitoring to prevent ingestion of large pieces, but overall consider Nylabone a safe, effective chew. They like that the nylon is non-toxic and passes through if ingested.
Veterinarian Recommendations
Chews with veterinary endorsements provide added assurance about safety and benefits.
Here’s what vets say about Nylabone and Barkbone.
Do Vets Recommend Nylabones for Dogs?
Yes, Nylabone chews are veterinarian recommended. Their chews have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance based on independent clinical trials proving their dental benefits.
Vets regularly recommend the textured Nylabone DuraChew and dental chews to help clean dogs’ teeth and reduce plaque and tartar. Their focus on science and safety testing also appeals to vets.
What Do Vets Say About Nylabone?
Vets praise Nylabone chews for their non-toxic nylon material that is digestively inert if ingested so it safely passes through. The textured surfaces help clean teeth down to the gumline.
Vets also like that Nylabone chews satisfy eager chewers. Some do recommend monitoring due to rare instances of dogs ingesting large pieces. But most vets consider Nylabones very safe and effective for dental health.
Are Barkbone Chews Veterinarian Recommended?
Yes, Barkbone chews are vet recommended thanks to their rigorous safety standards and use of natural ingredients. Veterinarians like that Barkbone chews are non-toxic and safe if ingested in addition to promoting better dental health.
Vets also like Barkbone’s strict standards avoiding ingredients from China. The dental-cleaning abrasive textures appeal to vets as well.