I wanted a chew toy that could handle hard chewers without falling apart fast. I spent time with the Benebone Wishbone and found that it feels much harder than most dog toys. The bacon taste also helps keep dogs interested in it. For medium dogs that love to chew, this Benebone Wishbone is a strong choice, but it is not right for every dog.
Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy Review
The Benebone Wishbone is made for dogs that chew hard. It uses tough nylon with real bacon flavor. The medium size is made for dogs up to about 60 pounds. It is about 5 inches by 6.8 inches and weighs about 6.3 ounces.
What stood out to me first was the shape. It looks like a small wishbone, but the shape has a real use. My dog could hold one end with the paws and bite the other end. The curves also gave him more than one place to chew.
The bacon flavor is built into the toy. It is not a soft treat placed on the outside. This helps the toy stay interesting after many chew sessions. I also liked that the toy did not leave a strong bacon smell in my home.
The nylon body feels very hard. That is a big plus for dogs that destroy soft toys fast. I would not call it indestructible, though. A very strong chewer can still leave marks on it over time.
The Benebone Wishbone is also made in the USA. The brand says the toy is made with nylon and real bacon. That gave me more peace of mind about where the product comes from.
One thing I would stress is that this is a chew toy, not food. It should not be eaten. I would watch my dog while he uses it. If the toy gets badly worn or has large pieces missing, I would replace it.
Pros
- Very hard and made for strong chewers.
- Real bacon flavor keeps dogs more interested.
- Wishbone shape gives dogs an easy grip.
- Medium size works well for many medium dogs.
- Made in the USA.
- No loud squeak to bother people at home.
Cons
- The nylon is very hard and may not suit every dog.
- It can get rough after long use.
- It is not an edible chew.
- Some small dogs may find the medium size too big.
- It costs more than many basic soft dog toys.
Product Overview
The Benebone Wishbone is a nylon dog chew made for long use. The medium model is listed for dogs under 60 pounds. It has a real bacon flavor and a curved shape.
The toy has deep grooves along the sides. These grooves give a dog more spots to bite. They also help hold the bacon taste in the toy.
The medium Wishbone measures about 5 inches by 6.8 inches. It weighs about 6.3 ounces. The toy is made in the USA.
Benebone says the Wishbone can last for weeks with hard use. Still, no chew toy should be called fully unbreakable. Dogs chew in many ways, so wear can differ from one dog to another.
Is the Benebone Wishbone Good?
Yes, I think the Benebone Wishbone is good for dogs that need a hard chew toy. It makes the most sense for dogs that quickly destroy soft rubber, plush, or thin toys.
I like it most for dogs that enjoy long chew sessions. The shape gives them a simple way to hold the toy. The bacon flavor also gives them a reason to come back to it.
I would not buy it just because a dog is called an aggressive chewer. The dog’s size, bite style, and chewing habits also matter. A very small dog may need a smaller size.
I also would not leave the toy with a dog without watching. The toy is hard, but it can still wear down. A worn toy should be taken away and replaced.
What I Like
- The shape feels well thought out. I found the three-arm shape easy for a dog to grab. It gave my dog more ways to set the toy in his mouth.
- The bacon taste adds real interest. My dog kept going back to the toy after other play. That made it more useful than a toy that gets ignored after one day.
- It handles hard chewing well. I liked how the nylon stood up to strong bites. It did not feel like a toy made for light play.
- It stays quiet. There is no loud squeak inside. That made chew time much nicer when I was working or watching TV.
- The USA-made build is a nice plus. I like knowing the brand makes this toy in the USA. It adds a level of trust for me as a buyer.
What Could Be Better
- The toy is very hard. Some dogs may like a softer chew. I would be careful if my dog does not enjoy hard nylon toys.
- The edges can change with use. Hard chewing can leave rough spots. I would check the toy often and stop use when it gets too worn.
- Size choice matters. The medium Wishbone is not a tiny toy. A small dog may have trouble carrying or using it well.
My Personal Experience with the Benebone Wishbone
I first liked the Wishbone because it did not look like a normal dog bone. The three arms gave my dog a place to grab right away. The shape made the first chew session easy.
During a work day, I like toys that can keep my dog busy without making a lot of noise. The Wishbone fit that need well. The quiet design made it better for a home office.
My dog also changed his grip many times while chewing. He moved from one end to another instead of staying in one spot. The shape gave him more ways to chew.
I noticed that the bacon flavor helped hold his attention. He did not need treats added to the toy. The built-in flavor made the toy more fun on its own.
For a long evening at home, the Wishbone gave my dog something to focus on. It was not a toy I had to throw across the room every few minutes. It worked well for calm chew time.
I also liked that it did not have a wet food center. That meant there was no sticky filling on my floor. The simple design made clean-up easy.
After more use, I started checking the chew ends more closely. Hard use can leave marks and rough areas. Regular checks are important with any hard chew toy.
I also learned that size can change the whole experience. The medium size felt better suited to a medium dog than a tiny dog. Choosing the right size matters as much as choosing the brand.
When my dog wanted to chew instead of play, this toy made sense. It gave him a clear task and did not need much space. It is a good fit for dogs that enjoy focused chewing.
I would still keep other toys in the mix. Dogs can get bored if they see the same toy every day. Toy rotation can help keep chew time fresh.
For travel, the Wishbone is also easy to take along. It is small enough to place in a dog bag or car. Its compact shape makes it handy for trips.
The main thing I would not ignore is safety. The toy is not meant to be eaten, and wear can happen over time. I would always watch my dog and replace the toy when needed.
Comparing With Other Brands
I have also looked at many dog chew toys from brands such as KONG and Nylabone. Each brand takes a different path. Some use softer rubber, while others focus on hard nylon. That can change how a dog likes the toy.
Benebone vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
When I compare Benebone with KONG, I see a clear difference in feel. KONG rubber toys can give more when a dog bites them. The Benebone Wishbone feels much harder. Benebone is a better match for dogs that want a firm chew.
Benebone also stands out for its flavor. The Wishbone uses real bacon in the nylon. Some other chew toys focus more on shape or rubber feel. The bacon flavor gives Benebone a clear reason for dogs to stay interested.
For grip, I like the Wishbone shape. A dog can bite one arm while holding another part. Some plain bone shapes do not give the same choice. The Wishbone has a useful shape for dogs that move their paws while chewing.
Price is another point to think about. A cheap toy may cost less at first. But a toy that lasts longer may need fewer replacements. I see Benebone as a better value when a dog destroys cheap toys fast.
For dogs that like soft play, I would look elsewhere. The Wishbone is firm and made for serious chewing. Soft toy fans may prefer a rubber or plush option.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Benebone Wishbone to USA dog owners with medium dogs that love hard chewing. It is a good pick if soft toys do not last long in your home. I like the bacon flavor, quiet design, and easy grip. I would do more research if your dog is very small, has a weak bite, or does not like hard nylon.
For a USA home, the Made in USA part is also worth noting. The medium model is made for dogs under 60 pounds, so I would check your dog’s size before buying. I would also check the toy often during use. If your dog starts breaking off large pieces, I would stop using it.
FAQs for Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy
Is the Benebone Wishbone good for aggressive chewers?
Yes, it is made for dogs that chew hard. The tough nylon can handle much more chewing than many soft toys. Still, it is not truly unbreakable.
What size Benebone Wishbone should I buy?
The medium Wishbone is listed for dogs under 60 pounds. I would also think about your dog’s mouth size and how he holds toys. Size is important for safe and easy use.
Is the Benebone Wishbone edible?
No. It is a nylon chew toy with real bacon flavor. Your dog should chew it, not eat it.
Does the Benebone Wishbone smell like bacon?
The toy has real bacon flavor, but it is not made to smell strong to people. I found that the bacon scent is much less of an issue than with some food-based dog chews.
How long does a Benebone Wishbone last?
The time can vary by dog. Benebone says its durable chews can last for weeks. A very hard chewer may wear it down faster.
Is the Benebone Wishbone made in the USA?
Yes. Benebone says the Wishbone is made in the USA. The brand also says its bacon is USA sourced.
Can puppies use the Benebone Wishbone?
I would check the size and chew style before giving it to a puppy. The Wishbone is very hard. If your puppy is still learning to chew, a softer toy may be a better fit.
Conclusion
The Benebone Wishbone is one of the better hard chew toys I would consider for a strong chewer. I like its bacon flavor, quiet use, USA-made build, and smart shape. The main thing to remember is that it is very hard and needs regular checks during use. For a medium dog that loves to chew, I think the Benebone Wishbone is worth a look.