A Guide to Feeding Raw Bones For Dogs

We've all heard the warning about feeding bones to our dogs, but are raw bones for dogs really that dangerous? Can dogs eat bones? What kind of bones can dogs eat? Can dogs eat raw bones? Read on to learn how to safely feed raw bones to your dog by picking the right bones

When it comes to our dogs and cats, we want to give them only the best, safest pet food. Your dog's safety is your first concern, and you need to know the risks of feeding raw bones just as much as the benefits. can dogs have raw bones? Read on as we discuss the best raw bones for dogs.

Should You Feed Your Dogs Raw Bones?

Most dogs are no strangers to gnawing on a bone from time to time, but not every dog bone is safe. Furthermore, the benefits of feeding raw bones to your dog don’t always apply to every type of bone. If you are looking to improve your dog’s health by feeding bone, make sure you know what kind of bone will be safe and beneficial to your dog. 

We'll touch on the biggest benefits of raw bones for dogs in the next section, but first, take a look at why dogs love to chew. 

Chewing is an instinct for dogs. They often chew toys, sticks, furniture, and even fingers, but why do they love to chew?

As carnivores, dogs are made for chewing, and even though our pets are domesticated and don't live a stereotypical carnivorous lifestyle anymore, chewing is still ingrained. In simplest terms, dogs enjoy chewing because it satisfies an urge - It's fun!

It's important to give your dog a healthy outlet for chewing. Otherwise, he may start to chew on things that he's not supposed to, and sometimes, things that are dangerous for him to chew on. This is when raw bones for puppies and dogs can be very handy. 

They provide the hard and long-lasting texture that dogs seek, but they also taste good and provide some nutrition. So long as you choose safe raw bones for your dog, your dog can reap all the benefits of eating raw bones and replace bad chewing habits caused by boredom and anxiety. 

4 Benefits of Raw Bones for Dogs

There are many reasons to feed raw bones to your dog, and they can conveniently be found at your local pet store. We highly recommend raw beef bones for dogs that eat a raw diet, but they can be a helpful addition to any diet.

It’s a common myth that dogs can’t digest bone at all. The truth is that dogs can digest certain types of bones. These bones, called edible bones, are rich in nutrients and can aid in dental care, growth, and digestion.

Bone requires a very acidic environment to break down, which dogs have. Raw-fed dogs have an even more acidic stomach environment than kibble-fed dogs, making it easier to digest bone quickly and efficiently.

Kibble-fed dogs should start with smaller, softer bones, like chicken necks. This will allow their body to adjust acidity levels to break down the bone. In time, they will be able to digest any edible bone.

For those looking for a longer-lasting chew, recreational bones can also be offered - beef neck bones for dogs, for example, are a popular choice. Recreational bones are harder and not meant to be consumed, so the risks increase, and the benefits go down.

Chew toys are a much better alternative instead of using recreational bones for chewing purposes for dogs that don't chew safely.

1. Maintain Bone Density

Bones are an excellent source of calcium and are vital to bone structure. In most commercial diets, calcium is added to ensure that the calcium levels meet AAFCO regulations for a complete and balanced diet, but every dog has different calcium requirements, so food that may be suitable for one dog could be lacking in this essential mineral for another.

Here are some facts about calcium for dogs:

• Calcium deficiencies, called hypocalcemia, although not common, are severe and life-threatening. 
• Dogs require calcium for more than just bone structure. Calcium is needed for blood coagulation and muscle contraction and has a significant effect on vision and heart function.
• Large breed puppies need to be cautious of getting too much calcium, as this can lead to abnormal bone growth. Raw bones should be fed less frequently and in smaller portions.
• White poop is a common sign of too much dietary calcium. It means it's not being absorbed.
• Bones and phosphorus are better together. Muscle meat and marrow are both excellent sources, so offering raw meaty bones is better than stripped and cooked ones.

2. Dental Health

Chewing is a vital part of dental care. Today we have toothbrushes, toothpaste, food and water additives for dogs, all of which are designed to prevent dental issues for our pets. A consistent dental routine for your dog can save you thousands in vet bills.

Of course, your dog’s ancestors weren’t brushing their teeth, so they relied on things in their diets, like bones, to keep their teeth strong and healthy. Here's how:

• • Raw meat contains bacteria-fighting enzymes, so raw meaty bones are great for dental health
  • Connective tissues, like tendons that are attached to raw meaty bones help to floss your dog's teeth while they chew
  • The mechanical action of chewing is great for scraping away food debris and bacteria to improve breath

Puppies, seniors, and dogs with compromised dental health should avoid hard bones. Their teeth are more fragile and have a higher risk of being damaged. Avoid feeding bone and other hard chews until their adult teeth have come in.

You could also try something softer, like a tendon or a cow ear. You will still get a dental cleaning effect, but you won’t risk your dog damaging its teeth while chewing.

3. Mental stimulation

Bones are a great way to keep a bored dog happy. Chewing is a favourite pastime for most dogs and giving them a bone will help to keep them both physically and mentally occupied.

Usually, chewing bones keeps your pup out of trouble and ensures that they are chewing on something healthy instead of your shoes or your baseboards.

Recreation bones are great for letting your dog work their jaw but aren’t designed to be consumed. If your dog is a serious chewer with a powerful jaw or has compromised dental health, stick to softer edible bones that are safe to consume.

4. Skin & Coat

Bones contain a variety of minerals that can aid in skin and coat health, and the marrow and cartilage are good sources of collagen. Bones with connective tissues attached are especially beneficial for skin and coat health. Raw meaty bones can be fed to dogs eating any format of food but can specifically complement a raw diet perfectly.

Use recreational bones to make a healthy bone broth for your dog. Be sure to choose bones that contain marrow and connective tissues, as this will provide the most nutrition.

Discard the bone after it’s been boiled down. It will be cooked, brittle, and has a high chance of splintering if your dog were to chew it again. The broth can then be used as a treat, a supplement, or a meal topper.

Raw Bone Safety for Dogs

We’ve gone over all the good things about feeding raw bones, but let’s talk about the safety precautions and potential risks of feeding raw bones. I’d love to tell you that all dogs will do perfectly fine eating raw bones, but that is not the case. 

Some bones are safer than others, and some bones should never be fed at all. As mentioned before, puppies, seniors, and dogs with compromised dental health may not be suited for raw bones or other hard chews.

Three types of bones are available for dogs: Edible bones, recreational bones, and cooked or smoked bones.

Edible Bones

Let’s start with edible bones. An edible bone is a bone that is softer, usually hollow, and covered in cartilage or other connective or meaty tissues. Typically when we talk about edible bone, we are referring to poultry bones. There are some non-poultry bones that I would consider edible, but they are harder to find and way more expensive to source.

Keep in mind that not all poultry bones are safe to feed, even raw. These include weight-bearing bones. Weight-bearing bones are more likely to splinter. Splintered bone fragments can be very sharp and have the potential to cause damage to your dog’s esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Here are some poultry bones that are safe for your dog to consume completely:

• • Wingtips
  • Feet
  • Necks
  • Backs

These bones are very soft. While they still have a crunch, provide dental benefits, and are high in calcium, they will not be a long-lasting chew for most dogs. Necks and backs are much meatier than wings and feet, so they will be higher in calories and fat. Keep that in mind when feeding poultry necks or backs.

Always choose a size that is appropriate for your dog. Chicken bones will be the smallest of the poultry bones, so they are well suited to small to medium-sized dogs. They can even be fed to cats. For larger breeds, look for turkey necks. They are much larger and will discourage your dog from swallowing them whole.  

If you are watching your dog's weight or counting calories, then make sure you reduce regular feedings to accommodate the increased calories in the edible bones you offer. Edible bones can be part of their daily diet, but you will want to avoid giving them too much calcium. 

For raw feeders, feeding edible bones with meals is a common and safe way to provide appropriate amounts of calcium in their diet, but if you already feed a diet complete with calcium, then limit edible bones to smaller portions and only as occasional treats. 

If you are looking for larger edible bones for bigger breeds, then try a non-poultry bone. Safe non-poultry alternatives include:

• • Lamb, pork, venison, and beef ribs
  • Pork feet
  • Ox and pork tail

Poultry bones have a higher calcium content than other bones, so if you use edible bones to supply your dog’s total calcium needs, try to incorporate some poultry bones into their diet.

If poultry is an allergy trigger for your dog, opt for lamb or pork ribs instead. They provide the closest amount of calcium to poultry.

Recreational bones

A recreational bone is meant for chewing but not necessarily eating. These bones are much harder and should always be fed with caution and under supervision. They do have nutritional value, but because they are not meant to be consumed, they will not replace the need for edible bone in their diet. 

The purpose of offering recreational bones is dental health, jaw exercise, and mental stimulation. It’s a nice treat but is not technically a part of their diet. Dogs can eat these bones, but there are risks:

Blockages and Choking

Don’t offer recreational chews to “gulpers.” They could end up choking or have an intestinal blockage. Both of these are life-threatening, so only feed bones that you know they’re properly chewing. If you find your dog breaking off and swallowing pieces of recreational bones, it's a good idea to remove the bone. 

Some dogs never have any issues, but it only takes one slightly too large or jagged piece of bone to cause some real damage to your pet. 

Tooth Damage

Some bones are harder than others, which can affect the safety of the bone. A femur or marrow bone, for example, will be very hard. The risk of your dog chipping or breaking a tooth is much higher than it would be with a softer bone.

Certain animals have very dense bones, which can also increase dental risk. Beef, bison, and other large bovine bones are among the harder, denser bones. While the risk is higher, this doesn’t mean that all bovine bones are off-limits. 

Choose Recreational Bones Carefully

Many dog owners still feed these types of bones to their larger breed dogs as a means of distraction and activity. It’s important to know the risk, but you know your dog best. How they chew and their current dental health are significant factors. 

A healthy adult dog with appropriate chewing habits will likely do fine with the occasional recreational bone, but if you are concerned, then stick to the edible bone only.

Red meat bones, usually bovine, will make up the majority of the recreational bones. Look for beef, bison, elk, moose, or deer antlers and bones. From antler dog chews to beef necks - there are many options from which to choose.

The sizes vary depending on the animal, so choose a protein source that is suited to your dog’s size and chewing habits. In the end, there are lots of antler dog chews to choose from as heavy chewers really enjoy the chance to chew antlers! It beats regular old chew toys every time!

Some smaller animals like goats, llamas, lambs, and pigs also have larger bones that can be fed, but these bones tend to be trickier to find. Talk to your local butcher to find out what kind of bones they can source. 

Here are some of the best recreational bones that you can feed:

• • Knuckles
  • Hock bones
  • Kneecaps
  • Necks

To use recreational bones as a chew, which is the intended purpose, allow your dog to gnaw but not eat. Once the bone has been picked clean of all bits and yummy flavouring, then take the bone away and discard it. 

Power chewers will eat just about everything, so be very cautious when feeding these types of bones. Your dog’s stomach acids can break down bone, but only in moderation. If your dog has a habit of swallowing large chunks of bone, then recreational bones are probably not the right choice. 

You may want to consider a different type of natural chew that can be broken down easier to prevent choking or digestive issues. Cow ears, tendons, and bully sticks may be better for aggressive chewers, and dogs that are not suited to recreational bones.

Instead of discarding the bone, you can use it to make bone broth. Check out our step-by-step bone broth recipe. 

Customize it to suit your dog's needs. Try different recipes to keep it fresh and exciting for your dog. You can also freeze the bone broth into ice cube trays. It's an easy way to portion it and add it to any meal. 

Cooked bones

The last form of bone available is cooked or smoked bone. I highly recommend avoiding this type of bone unless you are very sure that your dog is not consuming them and that they are chewing properly. There are a number of risks associated with cooked or smoked bones.

Brittle

Bones that are cooked or smoked get brittle. The chances of splintering or breaking off into sharp pieces are higher in cooked bone. Pets consuming cooked or smoked bones can lead to sickness, vet visits, and sometimes death. 

Pieces and shards of bone can do significant damage to their mouth, and there is a scarier risk of the bone fragments damaging delicate tissues along their digestive tract. Cuts or lacerations to the intestines, stomach, or esophagus are painful and life-threatening. 

Broken Teeth

Cooked bones are more likely to damage teeth as well. Even an adult dog with healthy teeth can be at risk of cracking or breaking a tooth on a hard, cooked bone. While many dogs have been eating cooked bones for years without incident, tooth damage is still a constant risk. 

Not Edible

There are very few cooked bones that I recommend for chewing, and none that I recommend as edible. Anyone who prefers cooked bones is probably concerned about the messiness of feeding raw bones, but trust me when I say that the mess beats risking your pet’s health and safety.

The only cooked bones that I have ever recommended for recreational chewing are knuckles and kneecaps. These bones are covered in connective tissues, like cartilage. These tasty little bits on the bone will keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated. 

The bone is also round, making it much more difficult to break off large pieces. A flatter or longer bone will crack and break into sharp pieces, while the cartilaginous bone is much less likely to do that. 

All that being said, I still recommend monitoring your dog and taking the bone away once your dog has cleaned it off. The risk of splintering or tooth damage is not gone, just reduced.

Tips for Feeding Raw Bones

Feeding raw bones can seem a little gross, especially if your dog likes to carry his chews around the house or chew them on the furniture or carpet.  A raw bone moving around your home can pose a health risk to you and your family, as the bones will contain the same bacteria as raw meat. Bone marrow for dogs, however, is highly nutritious and beneficial for them to consume.

To prevent your dog from spreading these germs around the house, here are some best practices to keep you and your pet safe:

1. Choose the Right Spot to Feed 

Giving your dog a bone doesn’t mean that they need free reign to move about the house with it. Choose a designated spot for your dog to chew, and make sure that it’s an easy place to clean after they’re done chomping down on their treat. 

Feed in their kennel, on a washable mat, tile or linoleum, or outside. This may take some training, but be consistent. When you offer the bone, make sure you offer it in the designated area.

Try to use a vocal command like "spot" or "place" to help them connect the location with the fun of chewing on a bone. If they move from that spot, take the bone from them, walk them back to their place, and repeat the first steps. You may need to do this several times to help your dog understand. 

2. Feed Bones Frozen 

Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than a nice cold treat. Help your dog stay cool by offering them a frozen bone. It will take them longer to chew, and will keep them hydrated. When combined with other dog cooling gear, your dog should have no problem beating the summer heat. 

Most raw bone brands for dogs, like Puppy Love or Big Country Raw, are going to be frozen when you buy them. You can toss them in the freezer when you get home, or feed them right away. 

3. Use Bones as a Training Opportunity

I learned this nifty trick from a co-worker years ago. If your dog is not keen on baths, feed the bone in the bathtub to help him acclimate. It’s both an easy place to clean and will help your dog associate the tub or shower with their favourite snack. 

In time, you can try to pour small amounts of water on their feet and back to help them get used to getting wet in the tub.

Don’t feed a bone while actually bathing your dog though. You neither want them consuming the soapy water, or bathing in raw meat juice. Feed the bone after the bath as a reward for good behaviour. 

4. Sanitize Surfaces

If you use a blanket or towel, throw it in the wash. Tile floor or kennel? Wipe it down. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be diluted in water and used to clean surfaces. It’s great for cleaning up after your pet because it is non-toxic and safe if your dog licks the surface afterward.

Most importantly, wash your hands after touching the bone. Avoid letting your dog give you kisses after chewing on the bone. They will likely have some blood, meat, or bacteria on their muzzle from chewing on it. Use a dog-safe wipe or washcloth with warm water to wipe down their muzzle and paws. A quick wipe down will help prevent any residue from spreading around your house. 

5. Don't Leave Bones Out

Edible bones typically have tissues and meat on them. Treat them like raw meat. Whatever your dog doesn’t eat in one sitting should be refrigerated. Proper storage will prevent the meat from spoiling, and limit the number of bacteria that are lying around your home. 

For recreational soup bones for dogs, even if the bone has been cleaned off by your dog, the bone should be removed and discarded. Leaving a bone out will not only let the bone dry out, making it more likely to splinter or break, but it is also still hosting bacteria from the raw meat. Discarding the bone will prevent pathogens from spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are raw bones safe for dogs to eat?

Raw bones can be safe for dogs, but it depends on the type and size of the bone. Always choose appropriately sized, edible raw bones to ensure your dog can properly chew the bone.

What are the benefits of feeding raw bones to dogs?

Feeding raw bones can help clean your dog's teeth, provide mental stimulation, and offer a source of natural nutrients like calcium and phosphorus. Chewing on raw bones is also a great way to relieve doggy boredom.

Which types of raw bones are safe for dogs?

Safe options for dogs include raw chicken necks and feet and pork or lamb tails. Avoid cooked bones, small bones, or bones that can splinter, such as cooked poultry (chicken or turkey) bones.

How often should I give my dog raw bones?

The frequency of feeding raw bones depends on your dog's size, chewing habits, and overall diet. You can offer raw bones 1-3 times a week.

Can raw bones cause digestive issues for dogs?

With some dogs, raw bones can cause digestive issues if consumed too quickly or your dog is unused to them. Monitor your dog while chewing and after consumption of the raw bone.

Are there any risks associated with feeding raw bones?

Raw bones can pose risks if not handled properly. Choking, broken teeth, and gastrointestinal issues can occur.