Emu Lumbar Dog Chews: Why This Natural Chew Is Built Different

September 15, 2026

Why We're Obsessed With Emu Lumbar: The Science Behind Our New Favourite Dog Chew.

There aren't many dog chews that make us stop and think:
How is this actually made by nature?

But the first time you pick up an Emu Lumbar, you'll understand.

It's lightweight. Full of ridges, curves and different textures. It looks completely different from the dense leg bones most of us picture when we think of a dog bone. And after giving them to our dog Lenny over and over again, they've become one of our absolute favourite chews.

So, what makes it so different?

It Starts With Something Called Pneumatic Bone

Birds have a unique respiratory system with air sacs. In many parts of the avian skeleton, extensions of these air sacs enter the bones, creating air-filled spaces. Scientists call this postcranial skeletal pneumaticity.

And yes, even though emus can't fly, research has found clear pneumatic features throughout their vertebral column.

Researchers examining emu skeletons have identified pneumatic foramina openings associated with these air spaces in the vertebrae around the lower spine as well.

Basically, An Emu Lumbar isn't just one big, dense chunk of bone.

Its natural anatomy creates an intricate structure with openings, cavities, ridges and thinner sections of bone. That's what gives it that unmistakable appearance when you hold one.

And it's a huge part of why we think this chew is so interesting.

Pick One Up and You'll Notice Instantly

This is probably easier to understand by holding one than reading about it.

For its size, an Emu Lumbar can feel surprisingly lightweight.

There isn't one flat chewing surface.
There are ridges.
Little pockets.
Raised sections.
Open areas.

For Lenny, that means he doesn't just sit there biting the same point repeatedly.

He turns it around.
Holds it between his paws.
Works one side.
Finds another ridge.
Flips it over.
And starts again.

That's what we love about it.

It gives him something to actually work on and if you own a dog who seems to finish every normal treat approximately four seconds after you've handed it over, you'll understand why the emu lumbar is so appealing.

The Biggest Thing We've Noticed With Lenny

We've given Lenny plenty of different natural chews over the years and bones are something we've always watched particularly closely.

What has stood out to us about the Emu Lumbar is how we've seen it wear down while he chews it.

As Lenny works around the different sections, the little fragments we've observed coming away tend to be soft and sponge-like.

That has been very different from some of the harder, sharper looking pieces we've personally seen come away from other types of bones. And because of that?

Of all the bones we've tried with Lenny, this is the one we've personally felt most comfortable giving him.

That's our experience with our dog.

It isn't a promise that an Emu Lumbar can never break differently. Every natural bone varies and every dog chews differently but as dog parents ourselves, what happens to a chew once Lenny gets his back teeth into it matters enormously to us.

And we've been seriously impressed with these.

How They've Helped Keep His Teeth Clean

Here's another reason chewing matters.

Most of us are guilty of paying attention to our dog's teeth only when their breath suddenly becomes unbearable but dental disease is incredibly common in dogs.

A 2026 veterinary review reported that periodontal disease affects more than 80% of dogs and cats by three years of age, while the Australian Veterinary Association says good oral care is important for both health and quality of life.

Brushing remains one of the most important things you can do at home but chewing can also form part of a good dental routine.

Studies using dental chews and separate research using certain types of bone have shown that the mechanical action of chewing can reduce plaque or calculus accumulation.

This is why we LOVE the Emu lumbar. Lenny has to work around all the grooves and textures which keeps him busy, focused and actually chewing. It reaches his back molars and canines giving them a good and thorough scrub.

Our Favourite Benefit Is Actually for Us

We love our dogs, but sometimes we just want a moment of peace.

Ten minutes to drink a coffee.
Make dinner.
Answer emails.
Watch TV.
Or sit down without somebody dropping a tennis ball into our lap.

That's when we tend to reach for Lenny's Emu Lumbar. He gets something interesting to chew, manipulate and work around. We get a little time to ourselves.

And chewing itself is a normal canine behaviour that can provide enrichment and an outlet for dogs to engage with and manipulate something using their mouth.

That's really why we've become so obsessed with good long-lasting chews.

They're for the dog but they're kind of for us too.

So Why Do We Love It So Much?

For us, it's the combination.

A naturally pneumatic structure.
Lightweight for its large size.
Loads of ridges, angles and different areas to work around.
A satisfying long-lasting chewing activity.
Something Lenny is absolutely obsessed with.

And most importantly, we've loved watching the way it wears down when our dog chews it.

There's no magic ingredient. Nature just built this one differently.

How We Give It to Lenny

We don't hand Lenny a bone and leave him alone for the afternoon.

We use the Emu Lumbar as a short, supervised chewing activity, generally around 10-15 minutes. Then it goes away for next time.

That gives him something to look forward to while allowing us to regularly check how the chew is wearing down.

With any natural bone:

Always supervise your dog
Choose an appropriate size
Check it regularly while they're chewing
Remove pieces that become small enough to swallow
Stop using it if you're uncomfortable with how it's breaking down
Consider your dog's teeth and individual chewing style

And this part is important:

Bones aren't suitable for every dog.

If your dog has damaged teeth, significant dental disease or you're unsure whether bones are appropriate for them, speak with your vet first.

The Long-Lasting Chew We Keep Reaching For

We sell dog chews for a living, so Lenny has tried a lot of them.

Somehow, this odd-looking piece of emu anatomy has become the chew we keep coming back to.

Partly because it's fascinating. Partly because Lenny absolutely loves it. And partly because, after watching him work through them ourselves, it's become one of the bones we personally feel most comfortable putting down in front of him.

If your dog LOVES to chew and you're looking for something a little different…