The Benebone Story: How Real Flavor Shaped a Tough Dog Chew
Benebone began in New Jersey in 2012, when Peter Toolan and his father, Jim, set out to make a tough nylon chew with real food flavor, curved so dogs can hold it in their paws.
In short
- Benebone was founded in New Jersey in 2012 by Peter Toolan and his father, Jim, and calls itself a small family business that means to stay one.
- Its flagship chew, the Wishbone, came from three basics: dogs love real flavor, chew hard and have no thumbs, so it is made with real bacon and curved for paws.
- Benebone's durable chews are nylon, a type of plastic, with real food worked in for flavor; they are made in the USA and are not edible.
- Size by weight, from Tiny for dogs under 15 lb to Giant for dogs under 120 lb, and pick the largest size your dog can handle.
- Replace a nylon chew once more than a sugar cube's worth is gone, or after about a month, and stay close while your dog chews.
Benebone began with a dizzying walk down the pet store aisles. Peter Toolan and his father, Jim, wanted something better for dogs and built it around what dogs actually enjoy: a tough nylon chew made with real bacon and shaped for paws. Here is the story as Benebone tells it, what each shape is for, and how to choose a size.
How Benebone began: a dizzy aisle and a family idea
Benebone's Our Story page puts it simply. Pet parents want the best for their dogs, yet the aisles were crowded with neon colors and squeaks, much of it made overseas. So they started fresh, from the way dogs experience the world. A company press release and its Habitat for Humanity partner fill in the rest: Peter Toolan founded Benebone in New Jersey in 2012 with his father, Jim Toolan, who is now its chief financial officer.
Bene is Latin for well, and Benebone's Dogma page cheerfully stretches it to "good vibes", admitting it took some liberties. The same page says Benebone began as a small family business and intends to keep it that way. Its own pages now give its address in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Wishbone: real bacon in a shape made for paws
Benebone's story page says its flagship came out of three basics: dogs love real flavor, push durability to the limit and "don't have thumbs." So it put real bacon into a durable, USA-made nylon chew with a paw-friendly grip: the Benebone Wishbone.
The Wishbone is a curved Y with a rounded knob at each of its three ends. Because it curves, part of it sits up off the floor, so a dog can pin it between two front paws and hold it steady. Deep grooves run along each prong, which Benebone says add extra flavor.
The bacon Wishbone, from Tiny to Giant
The same curved Y in five sizes; match yours to the weight table further down.
The same shape now comes in other real flavors: chicken and peanut, plus duck as a limited edition.
Same Wishbone, other real flavors
Chicken, peanut and a limited edition made with real duck.
One idea, many shapes
Benebone kept the recipe of tough nylon, real flavor and a paw-friendly shape, then changed the form. Each shape suits a different way of chewing.
| Shape | What it looks like | Good for a dog who |
|---|---|---|
| Wishbone | A curved Y with knobbed ends | Is new to Benebone |
| Dental Chew | Flat middle, ridged loops at each end | Likes texture; Benebone calls it a tug toy too |
| Maplestick or Bacon Stick | A forked branch with wood grain | Loves sticks |
| Zaggler | A ridged dumbbell that rolls | Likes to chase a rolling toy |
| Fishbone | A flat fish skeleton | Likes fish flavor; made with real Jack salmon |
| Ring | A ridged circle with a pocket | Enjoys a slow job with a spread |
| Tripe Bone | An S curve with a pocket at each end | Likes beef flavor and a spread to lick out |
| Pawplexer | A ridged bar with a rubber slot | Likes a bully stick or jerky held in place |
Seven shapes to try
Dental Chew, Maplestick, Zaggler, Fishbone, Ring, Tripe Bone and Pawplexer, all in medium.
The Pawplexer's center has a rubberized slot that grips a bully stick, jerky or a dental chew, so your dog can work at the treat while it stays off the rug. When the treat is gone, it is still a chew. For more brain games, see our dog puzzle toys guide.
Seasonal flavors and mixed packs
The Peppermint Ring is a limited edition holiday flavor made with real peppermint, and the Pumpkin Spice Wishbone a limited edition fall flavor made with real pumpkin. Either fits a stocking; our Christmas gifts for dogs guide has more ideas.
Limited edition flavors
The Peppermint Ring and the Pumpkin Spice Wishbone, both in medium.
Not sure which shape your dog will choose? A 4-pack holds a Wishbone, Fishbone, Maplestick and Zaggler, sized by weight.
Four shapes in one box
Small for dogs 30 lb and under, medium for 60 lb and under, large for 90 lb and under.
Sizes, softer puppy chews and natural rubber
Size matters most. Benebone sizes its durable chews by weight, and its safety guide says to choose the largest size your dog can handle, keep tiny chews away from bigger dogs and skip Benebones for dogs heavier than its guidelines.
| Size | Benebone's weight guide | Breeds Benebone gives as examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny | Under 15 lb | Chihuahua, Yorkie |
| Small | Under 30 lb | Jack Russell Terrier, Dachshund |
| Medium | Under 60 lb | Australian Shepherd, Doodle |
| Large | Under 90 lb | Labrador Retriever, Dalmatian |
| Giant | Under 120 lb | Great Dane, Mastiff |
For a puppy, Benebone's puppy line is a bit softer than its adult chews, and Benebone asks you to watch puppies very closely, since some chew hard. Our new puppy checklist covers the rest of the first week.
A bit gentler for puppy teeth
A Dental Chew and Wishbone, a Maplestick and Zaggler, and two Fishbones.
Rather skip hard nylon? A newer natural rubber range in lime green brings a wobbling treat dispenser, a cone, a ball with an opening for treats, a three-loop tug and a bone, all dishwasher safe, Benebone says. See more balls too.
Natural rubber for bouncing, tugging and treat hunts
Fill the Pawbler, Cone or Ball with kibble or dry treats and let your dog work it out.
Chewing safely and knowing when to replace
Benebone is open about the trade-offs of a hard chew. Its safety guide, in plain words:
- Chew, do not eat. Nylon Benebones are not edible. Small flakes come off with normal wear; if you think your dog is eating pieces, take the chew away.
- Stay close. Benebone says a dog's chew time should always be supervised.
- Mind the teeth. Benebone says hard chews such as nylon, natural bones and antlers can chip or crack teeth, and its nylon chews are not right for older dogs with weaker teeth. Ask your vet if unsure.
- Retire it on time. Toss or recycle one once more than a sugar cube's worth is missing, or about a month after you buy it.
- Keep it clean and smooth. Pick off dog hair, which can tangle with flakes, and smooth bristly edges with a wood file or heavy-grit sandpaper.
- Dogs only, and tidy up. Benebones are not for cats. Put chews away where no one can step or slip on them, especially in the dark.
Prefer a softer, stuffable rubber toy? Read the story of the red rubber toy from Colorado. Every chew here lives on our chew toys shelf, or see every Benebone we carry.
Good vibes beyond the chew
Benebone says what really drives the team is the community around dogs, which it builds through events, philanthropy and close ties with fans. Its Dogma page lists values like the best materials, giving back and staying playful. In practice: a scholarship for college and trade school students who love dogs, affordable homes built with Habitat for Humanity in New Jersey, a recycling program for worn nylon, rubber and plant-based toys of any brand, and Benebone Green, chews made with plant-based materials in the USA.
Our picks to start with
The flagship
Benebone's flagship shape: curved for paws, made with real bacon, sized from Tiny to Giant.
- Made with real bacon
- Deep grooves along each prong
For a dog who likes a project
Easy to hold, with a pocket for a smear of spread. Freeze it for more of a challenge, as Benebone suggests.
- A pocket for spreads
- Real bacon flavor
For a puppy's first chews
A Dental Chew and a Wishbone in Benebone's softer puppy nylon.
- A bit softer than adult chews
- Stay close: some puppies chew hard
To find a favorite shape
A Wishbone, Fishbone, Maplestick and Zaggler for dogs 60 lb and under.
- Four shapes and textures to compare
- Rotate them to keep chew time fresh
Questions people ask
Who owns Benebone?
Benebone was founded in New Jersey in 2012 by Peter Toolan with his father, Jim Toolan, who is the company's chief financial officer and a partner. Its Dogma page says it began as a small family business and intends to keep it that way.
Do Benebones have plastic in them?
Yes. Benebone's durable chews are made of nylon, a synthetic polymer that is a kind of plastic, with real food such as bacon, chicken or peanut worked in for flavor. They are not edible. Its natural rubber toys are an alternative.
Do vets recommend Benebones?
Ask your vet, who knows your dog's teeth. Benebone itself warns that hard chews such as nylon can chip or crack teeth, suggests softer products to avoid that risk and says its nylon chews are not for older dogs with weaker teeth.
Where are Benebones made?
Benebone says its durable nylon chews are made in the USA, from the ingredients and materials to the tools and packaging. For the natural rubber toys, check each label.
How long do Benebones last?
Benebone says most last a few weeks to about a month, depending on the chewer. Replace one once more than a sugar cube's worth is missing, or after about a month.
What size Benebone should I get?
Go by weight: Tiny under 15 lb, Small under 30 lb, Medium under 60 lb, Large under 90 lb, Giant under 120 lb. Benebone says to choose the largest size your dog can handle.
About the numbers
- Benebone, Our Story, read 2026-10-06: Founders pictured as Peter and Jim; pet store aisles of neon colors and squeaks, much of it made overseas; started fresh, understanding that dogs experience the world uniquely; flagship from a few basics (real flavor, durability, no thumbs): real bacon in a quality, USA-made durable chew with a paw-friendly grip; community, events and philanthropy
- Benebone press release with Habitat for Humanity, PR Newswire, read 2026-10-06: Founder Peter Toolan; Jim Toolan, CFO, is Peter's father; founded in New Jersey in 2012; Benebone's second house with Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey completed in June 2023
- Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey, Benebone partnership pages, read 2026-10-06: Peter, along with his father Jim Toolan, founded Benebone in 2012; Benebone-sponsored homes in Ewing (2021) and Hamilton Township (2022 to 2023), New Jersey
- Benebone, Our Pack page for Jim Toolan, read 2026-10-06: Jim Toolan: CFO and Partner
- Benebone, Our Dogma, read 2026-10-06: Bene is Latin for good vibes, with liberties taken; values: best materials, give back, delight dogs, stay playful; began as a small family business and intends to keep it that way
- Benebone, product pages for the Wishbone, Dental Chew, Zaggler, Ring, Fishbone, Tripe Bone and Pawplexer, read 2026-10-06: Size guides: Tiny under 15 lb, Small under 30 lb, Medium under 60 lb, Large under 90 lb, Giant under 120 lb, with example breeds; Wishbone named the flagship, curved with deep grooves on each prong that add flavor; Ring pocket for spread and freezing; Zaggler rolling design; Pawplexer rubberized slot for bully sticks and jerky; Fishbone flavored with real Jack salmon; Tripe Bone with real beef tripe flavor and a pocket at each end; durable nylon chews made in the USA from ingredients to packaging; company address in Philadelphia
- Benebone, Durable Nylon Chews Safety Guide, read 2026-10-06: Not edible; rice-sized flakes; tooth risk from hard chews such as nylon, natural bones and antlers; puppy line a tad softer; not for older dogs with compromised teeth; largest size the dog can handle; not for dogs over the guidelines; discard past a sugar cube's worth missing and replace after one month; keep free of hair; smooth with a wood file or heavy-grit sandpaper; dogs only; allergy notice; hard toys can cause a slip or fall, keep them in a safe place; use should always be supervised
- Benebone, When to Replace guide, read 2026-10-06: Most last a few weeks or a month depending on chewing style; replace or recycle after about a month or sooner with significant wear
- Benebone, Natural Rubber Toys Safety Guide, Greener and Scholarship pages, read 2026-10-06: Rubber toys can go in the dishwasher; supervise and replace when worn; recycling program for worn nylon, rubber and plant-based toys of any brand; Benebone Green plant-based chews made in the USA; scholarship program for college and trade school students
- Google search 'Benebone brand story' and 'do benebones have plastic', read 2026-10-06: Results point to Benebone's Our Story page and name Peter Toolan as founder; people also ask who owns Benebone, whether Benebones have plastic and whether vets recommend them; results describe nylon as a synthetic polymer, a type of plastic
- Hey Lovi catalogue, read 2026-10-06: Benebone products live: Wishbone, Dental Chew, Maplestick, Bacon Stick, Zaggler, Fishbone, Ring, Peppermint Ring, Pawplexer, puppy packs and natural rubber toys
