Jeffrey Salazar
The Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet for dogs is a controversial topic. Some dog owners believe that a raw food diet more closely resembles what their ancestors would have eaten, and that it can improve their health and coat. However, there are risks associated with raw food diets, including nutrient deficiencies and bacterial contamination. Bones can provide important nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, as well as mental stimulation and dental health benefits. When feeding bones, it is important to ensure they are raw and soft enough for your dog to chew and digest safely. Ground bones can be a good alternative to raw bones, providing the nutritional benefits of bones without the risk of choking or splintering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why ground bones? | Bones are a vital ingredient in a healthy dog's diet, providing calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. They also help maintain dental health. |
| Risks | There are inherent risks associated with raw meat and bones, including bacterial contamination and obstruction of the esophagus. |
| Diet Transition | It is recommended to wait 7-14 days after transitioning to a raw diet before introducing bones, to ensure the dog's stomach acid is strong enough to break them down. |
| Bone Sourcing | Suitable raw meaty bones include poultry (wings, legs, feet, carcasses), lamb, kangaroo tails, and pig's trotters. Avoid weight-bearing bones like cattle leg shafts. |
| Feeding Guidelines | Feed bones with a small meal, in sizes roughly equal to or larger than the dog's head, to encourage safe chewing and swallowing. |
| Supplements | Food-grade bone meal, seaweed, coral calcium, and freeze-dried beef bones are available as supplements to a raw diet. |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of ground bones for dogs
The Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet for dogs has gained popularity among pet owners. This diet aims to replicate what a dog's wild ancestors or carnivores would have eaten in the wild. While there are risks associated with feeding dogs raw bones, there are also several benefits to this practice when done appropriately and under veterinary supervision.
Ground bones can provide essential nutrients to dogs, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for bone health and strength. These minerals also support organ and tissue function throughout the dog's body. Additionally, ground bones can aid in maintaining dental health by acting as a natural toothbrush, preventing tartar buildup, and reducing the risk of dental diseases.
Ground bones can also be beneficial for a dog's mental health and stimulation. Dogs find chewing on bones enjoyable and entertaining, providing them with physical and mental exercise. The act of gnawing and biting bones can also strengthen their jaw and mouth muscles.
When feeding ground bones to dogs, it is important to ensure they are appropriately sized to avoid choking hazards. The bones should be ground to a minced consistency to prevent gastrointestinal blockages. It is also crucial to source bones from reputable suppliers and choose the right types of bones, avoiding those that are too hard or that may pose a risk of tooth damage, such as large leg bones or chicken necks.
Before introducing ground bones into a dog's diet, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian to ensure it aligns with the dog's specific nutritional needs and health status. Additionally, a gradual transition period is advised, especially for dogs that have previously been on a processed or cooked food diet.
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How to prepare ground bones
While the decision to feed bones to dogs is a controversial one, many people choose to include them in their dog's diet. Bones are a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy teeth and bones, as well as organ and tissue function. They also provide mental stimulation and can help keep your dog's mouth, jaw, neck, and shoulders strong.
If you are going to feed your dog bones, it is important to do so safely. Bones should always be fed raw and they should be soft and entirely edible. Bones from poultry (including wings, legs, feet, and carcasses), lamb, kangaroo tails, pig's trotters, and brisket (rib) bones are all suitable. Do not feed your dog bones that are too big for them, as these could cause choking. Chicken necks, for example, are likely to cause choking or constipation and are best avoided. You should also avoid weight-bearing bones, like marrow bones, as these are more likely to splinter.
Before introducing bones into your dog's diet, you should ensure they have been eating raw food for at least 7-14 days beforehand. This will give their stomach acid time to recover and become strong enough to break down bones. When feeding your dog bones, it is best to do so with a small meal, rather than as a separate food. Feeding meat first will promote the secretion of stomach acid, readying the body for digesting bones.
You can purchase ground meat and bone mixes, which will allow your dog to get the benefits of bones without having to chew on them. You can also buy food-grade bone meal, although this should not be heated.
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What types of bones to use
Bones are an important part of a dog's diet as they provide essential nutrients and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, protein, iron, collagen, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids. They also help maintain dental health by acting as a natural toothbrush, preventing tartar buildup, and strengthening the jaw and mouth. However, it is crucial to choose the right types of bones to feed your dog to ensure their safety and well-being.
When feeding your dog bones, it is important to ensure they are raw, uncooked bones. These can be given as edible bones or recreational bones. Edible bones, also known as raw meaty bones (RMBs), are soft, entirely edible, and meant to be consumed along with the attached meat, tissue, and cartilage. They are typically sourced from poultry, such as chicken, quail, duck, turkey, or rabbit, as these bones are smaller and softer. Lamb, kangaroo tails, pig's trotters, and brisket (rib) bones are also suitable options. It is important to avoid feeding weight-bearing bones like marrow bones, as they are denser and stronger and may pose a risk of breaking your dog's teeth. Chicken necks should also be avoided due to the choking hazard they pose.
Recreational bones, on the other hand, are raw, uncooked bones that your dog can chew on but not consume whole. These bones are typically filled with marrow and covered in a small amount of meat and tissue. Recreational bones can be fed to your dog 1-2 times a week to promote mental stimulation and provide a natural outlet for their chewing instincts.
When introducing bones into your dog's diet, it is recommended to wait for at least 7-14 days if transitioning from a processed diet to allow their stomach acid to recover and strengthen, enabling them to better digest bones. It is also important to feed bones with a small meal to promote the secretion of stomach acid, aiding in bone digestion. Additionally, including green tripe in their diet can help promote strong stomach acid, which is beneficial for bone digestion.
It is crucial to be cautious when feeding bones to your dog, as there are potential risks associated with bone consumption. Bone fragments can cause obstruction of the esophagus and constipation if they accumulate in the colon. Additionally, raw meat and bones may be contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, posing health risks to both your dog and your family, especially those who are young, old, pregnant, or immunocompromised.
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Risks and safety precautions
While bones can be a good source of minerals, vitamins, and essential amino and fatty acids, they can also pose health risks to your dog.
One of the biggest risks is choking. Bone fragments can get stuck in your dog's trachea (windpipe), blocking their airway and interfering with their ability to breathe. This is an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinary attention. Bone fragments can also damage the mouth, tongue, and soft palate, as well as the walls of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, sharp bone shards can penetrate the soft tissues at the back of the throat or pierce the esophagus, causing a life-threatening condition called peritonitis.
Another risk is obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Bone fragments can cause blockages if they are too large to pass through the gut, obstructing the flow of digested food. This can quickly lead to severe illness and even death. Additionally, bones and their marrow can cause diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation. Bones could also irritate sensitive stomachs and damage your dog's teeth. If a bone is harder than your dog's tooth, it can cause a fracture, requiring expensive dental treatment.
If you choose to feed your dog bones, there are several safety precautions you should take. Always give raw bones with meat attached, as cooked bones are brittle and more likely to shatter. Select the right type of bone for your dog's size and never leave them alone with a bone. Supervise your dog while they eat, and be prepared to take the bone away if it becomes too small or if they have been chewing on it for a long time. You can also feed smaller bones or limit bone consumption by swapping it for a high-value treat.
If you are making homemade dog food, ensure that the diet is well-balanced and includes all the necessary nutrients. A diet with too much muscle meat and not enough of the other "parts" of an animal can lead to nutrient deficiencies and diseases. It is also important to be cautious of food-borne bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause illness in both dogs and humans. Freezing meat for a couple of days can help reduce the risk of bacterial growth and parasite contamination. However, it is important to note that freezing may not kill all bacteria and parasites.
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Commercially available ground bone mixes
Commercially available raw dog food, or Bones and Raw Food (BARF), typically comes in the form of frozen logs that can be thawed before feeding. While these products are convenient, it is important to note that they may not always be nutritionally complete, and there are some health risks associated with them.
BARF diets have been linked to a higher abundance of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium (C.) perfringens, as well as an increased Dysbiosis Index. In addition, commercially manufactured raw meat diets carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination due to the potential for cross-contamination in processing plants.
Despite these risks, some pet owners prefer commercial raw dog food for its convenience and ease of preparation compared to homemade raw food diets, which require careful planning, measuring, mixing, storing, and defrosting.
When choosing a commercially available ground bone mix for your dog's BARF diet, it is essential to select a reputable brand that prioritizes the quality and safety of its ingredients. Here are some options to consider:
- Four Leaf Rover: This natural supplement is sourced from grass-fed Australian beef bone and contains calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D to support joint health, teeth, and bones. It is formulated by a holistic veterinarian and made in the USA. However, note that you may need to balance the phosphorus in the meal and potentially add more Vitamin D to aid in calcium absorption.
- Buck Bone Organics Ground Wild Elk and Deer Antler Powder: This supplement is made from naturally shed elk and deer antlers, which are high in calcium and other minerals to support bones, teeth, and joints. Again, you may need to adjust the phosphorus levels and add Vitamin D for optimal calcium absorption.
- Darwins Raw Pet Food: This brand offers a prescription selection for different ailments, including kidney disease. They also provide various choices to cater to specific needs and allergies.
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Frequently asked questions
Bones are a source of calcium and other minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. They also help maintain dental health by acting as nature's toothbrush and preventing tartar buildup.
Bones from poultry (including wings, legs, and carcasses), lamb, kangaroo tails, and pig's trotters are suitable. Do not feed weight-bearing bones like cattle leg-shaft bones as they are too dense and may break your dog's teeth.
Your dog's diet should include about 10-15% edible bone. You can also feed recreational bones 1-2 times a week.
Do not feed bones until your dog has been eating a raw diet for at least 7-14 days. This will ensure their stomach acid is strong enough to break down bones.
Yes, there are some risks associated with feeding bones to dogs. Bones can cause obstruction of the esophagus and constipation from bone fragments. There is also a risk of food-borne bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause illness in both dogs and humans in the household.
