Feeding Raw Bones: Why Your Pet Needs These In Their Life

Bones are composed primarily of calcium and phosphorus, these essential nutrients are crucial for bone and teeth development, muscle function, and overall health.

A raw dog bone is typically composed of two main components: the bone itself and the attached meat or connective tissue.

Bone: Bones are primarily made up of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus .These minerals contribute to bone density and strength. The inner part of the bone contains bone marrow, which is rich in nutrients and provides dogs with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Bones often have cartilage at the ends, which is a connective tissue that adds flexibility and support to the bone structure.

Meat and Connective Tissue: The meat attached to the bone provides a source of protein, amino acids, and essential nutrients. Connective tissues like tendons and ligaments are often present on the bones. These tissues contain collagen, which is beneficial for joint health and provides additional nutrients.

There are two types of raw bones you can feed your pet.

Type 1: Edible Bones

Edible bones are hollow, non-weight-bearing bones of birds (typically chicken backs, wings and chicken, turkey, and duck necks).

• They are soft, pliable, don't contain much if any marrow, and can be easily crushed in a meat grinder, or chewed up readily and happily by larger dogs.
• These bones provide calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals to a raw food diet.
• Other options are whole raw fish like sardines, or a portion of a "feeder" rabbit. Some dogs do very well with meaty lamb trotters (the small long leg bones of lambs with all the meat and sinew still on them).

Type 2: Recreational Bones

Recreational bones are femur, hip or knuckles bones from beef or bison that are filled with marrow.

• They don't supply a lot of nutrition because they're meant to be aggressively gnawed on, and not much of them actually gets ingested except the yummy marrow.
• They provide great mental stimulation and oral health benefits.
• When your dog chews on a raw recreational bone, especially a meaty one with cartilage and soft tissue still attached, their teeth get the equivalent of a good brushing and flossing. This helps to break down tartar and reduces the risk of gum disease.

Offering Recreational Bones

Match the size bone offered to your dog's head. Dogs can be given a bone that's too big, but they can't be given a bone that's too small.

Bones that are too small can be choking hazards and cause significant oral trauma.

If your pet breaks off pieces of raw bone we recommend removing them. Always supervise dogs when you've given them raw bones.

We recommend separating even the best of dog friends when offering raw bones.

Stop by Pet Food Plus and chat with our team, we'll guide you through safe options based on your dog's size, chewing habits, and dietary needs.

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