𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐆𝐒?

by Casey Wesche November 08, 2022

ARE BONES GOOD FOR DOGS?

𝐘𝐞𝐬! In fact RAW bones are essential to your dog's health the same way they are part of the diet of wild canines. Bones are the key to good dental health, proper digestion and they also provide minerals and joint and cartilage building blocks.

Chewing on the right kind of raw bones is the equivalent of a good dental cleaning, it removes plaque buildup and prevents gum disease!

Raw bones provide a highly digestible source of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals. Chewing on raw bones keeps our dogs, especially the puppies and adolescents, occupied. However, feeding bones too often, or daily, may lead to excessive tightness of the chewing muscles. I suggest feeding bones about 2 to 3 times a week.

Bones also have a cleansing effect as they provide roughage in the diet and bulk for healthy bowel movements.

Feeding raw bones also prevents anal gland problems. The bowel movements after feeding bones are harder which helps express anal glands and get rid of toxins.

WHICH BONES ARE BEST FOR DOGS?

Avoid feeding beef, buffalo or bison shank bones. They are often harder than dog's teeth. Larger dogs can get carried away chewing on a large bone and may crack one of their teeth. This is how a five dollar marrow bone can turn into a painful and very expensive adventure.

Smaller dogs may be fine chewing on the big marrow bones because they can’t crunch through them. However, they have zero scaling effect. I already hear some of you protesting: “But my dog loves big bones!! He likes to work at the bone marrow!” In reality, nature intended canines to hunt for birds, rodents, rabbits, goats and perhaps deer. Most dogs would simply not dare go anywhere near a buffalo or a cow and if they did, these large animals would not be the mainstay of their diet.

However, the right sized bones can save Fido a lot of dental trouble and save you tons of money. I recommend feeding lamb or goat bones twice a week. The abrasive action of these hard but not too thick bones are perfect for keeping your dog's teeth shiny without the risk of dental fractures.

ARE CHICKEN BONES DANGEROUS FOR DOGS? WHAT ABOUT BONES THAT SPLINTER?

In my opinion, feeding dogs chicken bones is safe if they are raw. Dogs have very strong stomach acids and bones dissolve into smaller pieces before they move into the intestines. The same applies to seemingly sharper bone fragments. Dogs have evolved very strong stomach and intestinal walls, and the fear of intestinal perforation is just another myth invented by pet food companies.

I do not make or sell pet food and have no reason to recommend bones other than for your dog's health and wellbeing.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG WON'T EAT BONES, IS IT OK?

If your dog does not like bones or does not digest them well, it is okay to skip them. Just make sure that you supplement your dog’s diet with the four essentials - Probiotics, minerals, vitamins and omega oils.