Kangaroo tendon for dogs: what's in it and how to feed it

Give a dog a kangaroo tendon and you'll get twenty quiet minutes, which is most of the reason people buy them. A tendon is the tough cord of connective tissue that joined muscle to bone in a kangaroo's leg, naturally dried at low heat until it's shelf-stable. It's a natural source of collagen, it has no bone in it, and for most dogs it's a long, slow chew rather than a quick crunch. What it isn't is a medicine, and we won't pretend otherwise.

What's in a kangaroo tendon?

Mostly collagen, the structural protein that gives tendons, ligaments and skin their toughness. Drying takes out the water, not the protein. Where it once met bone there's a little cartilage, which is where glucosamine and chondroitin naturally occur. We don't put a number on it; our glucosamine article explains why.

The kangaroo is wild, harvested under government-regulated programs. Kangaroo meat is one of the leanest red meats, roughly 1–2 g of fat per 100 g (FSANZ), and a tendon carries even less meat than that. Nothing added.

Which dogs suit it?

Dogs with adult teeth who like to work at something. A tendon is firm but not rock-hard: you can dent it with a thumbnail, the test veterinary dentists use for whether a chew can break a tooth.

It's a fair length for a small or medium dog and a shorter session for a big one; fast chewers may be better on a beef tendon or backstrap. Puppies wait until adult teeth are in, roughly six to seven months. Older dogs with worn or loose teeth may find it hard work.

How much, and what to watch for

For a medium dog, a chew every few days rather than a daily habit, counted towards the 10% of daily food that treats stay under. It is a long chew and it makes the jaw work; what that does and doesn't do for teeth is a question on its own, and we answer it in our article on chewing and teeth. If your dog is stiff getting up or slower on walks, start with your vet, not a treat.

Chew safely. Size it so it can't be swallowed whole, supervise, and take it away once it's small. Very hard chews can crack teeth — not for puppies, seniors or dogs with dental issues. Fresh water always. A treat, not a meal.

Every dog is different. For an ongoing issue, your vet is the first call — this is general information, not veterinary advice.

Connective tissue, no bone, and twenty minutes of work. That is what a kangaroo tendon is, and it is all it is.

Keep reading: Collagen-rich chews: tendons, tails and feet explained · Chicken feet for dogs: what's in them and how to feed them

Sources

• Australian Government DCCEEW. Commercial kangaroo harvesting. dcceew.gov.au
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Australian Food Composition Database. foodstandards.gov.au
• American Veterinary Dental College. Chew toys and dental fractures / Position statements. avdc.org

Pudel · Reviewed September 2026 · Single-protein, naturally dried dog treats, made in Australia. General information, not veterinary advice.