If your dog has a nylon chew bone on their bed right now, there's a question worth asking: what actually happens when they chew through it? The answer is less reassuring than most pet owners realize — and there's a genuinely better alternative that works just as well, lasts just as long, and leaves the planet (and your dog) in better shape.
What Nylon Dog Chews Are Actually Made From
The familiar flavoured nylon dog bones that dominate pet store shelves are made from polyamide nylon — the same material used in synthetic textiles, carpet fibres, and industrial components. As dogs chew through it, they ingest small amounts of the material. Concerns include: chemical additives that aren't all food-safe, splinter risk for aggressive chewers creating dangerous sharp edges, potential dental damage (nylon is harder than enamel when new), and the fact that every finished nylon bone goes to landfill as non-biodegradable waste.
The Problem With Rawhide
Rawhide is treated with lime and other chemicals during processing, then often bleached. The primary danger is practical: rawhide softens as dogs chew it, creating large chunks that become choking hazards or cause gastrointestinal blockages. Veterinary emergency rooms see rawhide-related blockages regularly enough that most vets now advise against rawhide entirely for power chewers.
The Plant-Based Alternative That Actually Works
BetterBone was founded on a straightforward premise: dogs need to chew, and the best material for them to chew should be natural, safe, and genuinely durable. The result is a product made entirely from cellulose and plant-based polymers — the same materials found in common foods like bread and yoghurt. No nylon. No rawhide. No PVC. No artificial colours or preservatives.
For the Aggressive Chewer: BetterBone Hard
The BetterBone Hard Chew offers durability similar to antlers (without antler's tooth-fracture risk), carbon-neutral production, recycled FSC-certified paper packaging, and a tree planted per order. Available in Classic (hypoallergenic), Natural Beef, and Natural Venison.
For Everyday Chewing: BetterBone Moderate
The BetterBone Moderate Chew is roughly 20% softer than nylon — gentler on teeth while still satisfying the instinctive chewing drive. Suitable for most dogs with normal chewing habits.
For Puppies and Senior Dogs: BetterBone Soft
The BetterBone Soft Chew is 40% softer than standard nylon — designed specifically for teething puppies, senior dogs with sensitive teeth, and light chewers.
The Dental Benefits: Why Chewing Matters
Dogs are physiologically designed to chew. Regular appropriate chewing removes plaque and tartar from teeth, strengthens jaw muscles, releases endorphins reducing anxiety, and provides mental stimulation particularly important for high-energy breeds. The BetterBone design includes dental nubs and ridges specifically positioned to clean teeth and massage gums as the dog chews.
The Right Size for Your Dog
- Mini — Dogs typically under 15 lbs (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Mini Poodles)
- Small — Dogs typically 15–50 lbs (French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels)
- Large — Dogs typically over 50 lbs (Labs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers)
Eco-Friendly Pet Ownership: Small Choices, Big Impact
The average dog owner buys five to eight chew toys per year. Multiplied across the 90 million dogs in US households, that's hundreds of millions of plastic and nylon products entering landfill annually. BetterBone is already carbon-neutral — and they plant a tree for every order placed. Switching to plant-based alternatives is one of the easiest ways for pet owners to reduce their environmental footprint without changing anything about how they care for their animals.