Smartbones
Pros
- Rawhide free
- Great for the teeth
- Made ot US standards
Cons
- Pricier than other chews
In this SmartBones review, I will be taking a close look at SmartBones Rawhide-Free Peanut Butter Mini Bones, a highly digestible chew for dogs. One of the amazing things about SmartBones is that the chew is actually rated as more digestible than some premium dog foods.
Chews are a product that you need to look at carefully, since they often present a variety of health issues for dogs, so as a caring dog owner, this SmartBones For Dogs Review is a “must-read.”
SmartBones Review
SmartBones are made by PetMatrix in Vietnam. Despite the factory being in Vietnam the company still follows the higher U.S. Quality Control protocols. They claim to have the most modern and safest manufacturing facilities anywhere.
About SmartBones For Dogs
1. Made in Vietnam
2. Made from real peanut butter, chicken, and vegetables
3. Easy for the dog to digest
4. Vitamin, and mineral, enriched
5. Rawhide FREE (see below)
6. Real Peanut Butter (Does not contain Xylitol)
SmartBones are a chew made for dogs that will provide a healthy activity for dogs, keeping teeth clean and jaws strong. The chews are made from wholesome vegetables and chicken (Not Rawhide).
Rawhide
One of the biggest sales features promoted by PetMatrix is that SmartBones contain no rawhide. According to WebMD Fetch, Rawhide treats represent a risk to your dog. Not a huge risk but substantial enough to take note off. They state that the following factors should be considered
Contamination: Rawhide chews can carry traces of toxins, and Salmonella or E.coli might be present.
Digestive Irritation: Some dogs are allergic to rawhide and can cause Diarrhea.
Choking or Blockages: This is probably the greatest risk (depending on your dog’s chewing style). If your dog were to swallow a piece of rawhide it can get lodged in the esophagus or elsewhere in the digestive tract. Sometimes the vet can remove the pieces through the throat but it can sometimes lead to expensive surgery. Why would you risk giving your dog rawhide when there are better and safer alternatives?
SmartBone Variations
SmartBones are made in several variations
1. SmartBones Mini Chicken Chews (24 Pack)
Made in Vietnam. Made with Peanut Butter, Chicken, Vegetables
2. SmartBones Rawhide-Free Peanut Butter Mini Bones (24 Pack)
Made in Mexico and Vietnam. Made with Sweetcorn, Chicken, Vegetables
3. SmartBones SmartSticks Chews for Dogs (10 pack)
Made in Vietnam. Made from peanut Butter, Chicken, and Vegetables
4. SmartBones Mini Rawhide-Free Dog Chews (24 Pack)
Made in Mexico and Vietnam. Made with Sweet Potato
5. SmartBones Big Beef Dog Chew (3 Pack)
Made in Vietnam. Made with Real Beef
6. SmartBones Chicken Dog Chews Calming (16 Pack)
Made in Vietnam.Made with Chicken, Vegetable, Chamomile, Lavender
7. SmartBones Smart Twist Sticks Chews for Dogs, Rawhide-Free (50 Pack)
Made in Vietnam and Mexico. Made with Chicken and Vegetables
8. SmartBones SmartChips for Dogs (12 Pack)
Made inChina. Made from Chicken, Vegetables, Peanut Butter
9. SmartBones Medium Chicken Chews (4 Pack)
Now Made in Vietnam. Made of vegetables and Chicken
10. SmartBones Large Chicken Chews (3 Pack)
Now Made in Vietnam. Made with Chicken and Vegetable.
11. SmartBones Chicken Dog Chews Skin Coat (16 Pack)
Made to improve coat, Made in Vietnam
12. SmartBones Mini Dental Chews. (24 Pack)
Dental, Fresh Breath, Reduce Plaque. Made in Vietnam
13. SmartBone Double Time Chews (3 Pack)
Made with Chicken and vegetables. Made in Vietnam
14. SmartBones Chicken-Wrapped Sticks for Dogs (8 Pack)
Made in Vietnam. Made with Peanut Butter wrapped in Chicken.
Because this product is made in so many sizes and variations, it is possible to find the optimum variety for your dog or puppy. Just to clarify, some of these products were made in China (where they have a poor record of safe ingredients and quality. They are now made in Vietnam in a modern factory that operates to the same standards as the USA.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Made in Vietnam to USA Manufacturing Standards
I have seen some reviews giving misleading information about this. SmartBones have always been made in Vietnam. They have never been made in China (where standards are lower) or the USA.
Rawhide Free
Rawhide chews are both safer to chew and toxin-free. A far superior treat to give your dog.
Easy to Digest
Made in a way that is much easier to digest than other types of chew.
Good for Teeth
The chews help keep your dog’s teeth clean.
Cons
More Expensive than Other Chews
Some customers prefer less expensive chews
SmartBones Recall
First, I am aware that several dog chews have been recalled over the years for safety concerns. There has never been any SmartBones Recall ever.
Dream Bones Vs SmartBones
One alternative to SmartBones you may have heard of is DreamBones. At the moment they are not available and listed as discontinued by the manufacturer.
They are also Rawhide free. The first nine ingredients in the product are exactly the same, the tenth ingredient is Glycerol monostearate in DreamBones, and 2,3 Dihydroxypropyl Octadecanoate in SmartBones. In fact, the two products are made by the same company.
If you have been using DreamBones, then switching to SmartBones is the obvious move to make now they are discontinued.
The Shape of Each Variety
The shape of each variety is not just decided upon at random. Each shape is carefully designed to suit the age of the dog catered for and to allow the chews to clean the teeth and exercise the gums. Overall an excellent product.
Final Thoughts
The product is manufactured to a high standard and the manufacturers have gone to great trouble to provide a wide variety of sizes and varieties to suit every dog. Looking at user reviews of the product, there were very few people who had any criticism of the actual product, the negative reviews were nearly all from people who objected that they were made outside the USA. Since the factory operates on USA standards this seems a rather strange issue to complain of.
A much more serious issue is the number of injuries to dogs that have occurred from Rawhide Chews that get swallowed, causing major surgery on dogs. An issue that SmartBones overcomes.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, I’ve tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have nothing but praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be hard, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that they require a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
