Raw Bones for Dogs

Raw dog food diets are certainly a huge trend in the pet world now, and rightly so. Many pet owners attest raw diets have cured canine allergies and even held back cancer, affording dogs a longer life. When feeding dogs a raw food diet, it’s important they consume raw meaty bones—but this is where many pet owners and pet professionals disagree.

As someone who’s provided raw bones for dogs for more than a decade, I do think raw dog food diets work for dogs that tolerate them. With that said, I’m a nervous wreck when it comes to feeding my dogs raw bones. Here’s what I do to minimize fractured teeth, obstructions and the obsession that my dogs might have bits of undigested bones in their stool. And yes, my dogs thrive on their raw diets!

Best Raw Bones for Dogs

I feed raw meaty bones instead of raw bones. Feeding your dog too many raw bones can cause constipation while raw meaty bones provide the perfect balance of meat-to-bone ratio. Never ever feed your dog cooked bones. Once bones are cooked, they lose their moisture and can cause obstructions. Raw meaty bones should be 50% of your dog’s daily meal unless otherwise advised by your holistic veterinarian.

If you’re a nervous pet owner like myself, try feeding your dog raw chicken wings. They’re easy for most dogs to chew and swallow, and the bones are smaller than rib bones, chicken thighs and chicken backs. For large dogs that swallow chicken wings whole, try giving them turkey wings instead.

RELATED: Why You Should Feed Your Dog Bone Broth

What If You’re Scared to Feed Raw Meaty Bones?

Don’t worry; I’m the same way. Once, my large Rottweiler ate an entire chicken back and pooped tiny, undigested bones the next day. I freaked out and swore I would never do it again ever. While many raw dog feeders laughed at my reaction, I learned to grind up raw bones for my dogs. 🙂 I feel much better about feeding my dogs raw bones, and their teeth are gleaming white now too!

Grind Up Raw Bones

For pet owners who make their dog’s raw meals, it’s best to grind raw bones in a heavy-duty grinder. Just toss in chicken backs, turkey necks, wings and so forth, then grind away. Mix your ground-up bones into your dog’s veggie mixture and voila!

If cleaning a raw food grinder is not your cup of tea, then you can purchase ground meat and bones from pet food companies. Most small pet stores offer these pre- ground mixtures with the perfect meat-to-bone ratio. Also, many raw pet food companies have local distributors within your area, so contact them for delivery dates (usually once a month).

Calcium Supplement

Dogs need calcium, which they can get from raw bones. However, if you omit raw bones, then you must include a calcium supplement to your dog’s raw or cooked meals. Dogs need to eat a balanced diet, and calcium is an important aspect of that.

Try feeding your dog raw bones. You’ll be shocked at the difference in your dog!