Bones Matter
A close look at bones- part 1
Working at a health food store for dogs and cats, this is an everyday subject of conversation with caring guardians. Therefore, I have decided to dedicate the first article of our blog to what I consider should be acknowledged as a carnivore right, just in the same way as there are animal and human rights.
Why are bones so important to your dog and your cat?
Although in this article I will be focusing on dogs mainly, much of this information applies to cats as well. I will be talking in more detail about them in Bones Matter part 2.
Raw Meaty Bones have vital nutritional value
Raw meaty bones (RMBs) are not only the primary source of calcium for carnivores but also other important minerals such as phosphorus, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, and magnesium (more on magnesium later). They are a high-quality source of nutrients because they are in the proper ratios and they are also highly bioavailable, which means they can be well digested and absorbed; something that doesn't happen with processed foods which contain artificial vitamin and mineral mixes.
Raw Meaty Bones can be great dental cleaners
So, if we feed our dogs and cats raw commercial foods, which usually though not always, contain ground bone, do we still need to feed raw meaty bones?
The answer is: YES! Studies have shown that by just 3 years of age 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease.
Studies have also shown that biting, tearing, and crunching whole meat pieces takes care of teeth cleansing in carnivores, including dogs.
Chewing bones is an excellent way to remove plaque buildup through abrasion, helping to keep healthy gums. It's the way Nature has been doing it effectively for a very long time and it's safer than using artificial products which usually contain problem ingredients such as salt and sugar.
Raw Meaty Bones can contribute to keeping healthy anal glands
RMBs can have a scrubbing effect on the dog's digestive tract, encouraging healthy fecal motions and also making stools more solid which stimulates anal glands.
Raw Meaty Bones can play an important role in a balanced behavior
The action of chewing bones is soothing because chewing bones boosts endorphins which relieve stress and fear. As I mentioned earlier, bones are a source of Magnesium, which plays a very important part in stress management. So, if your dog shows some signs of anxiety and is not chewing bones regularly, besides addressing possible reasons which could be triggering that state, feeding raw meaty bones could be very helpful.
Nowadays CBD oil has become a popular aid for anxiety, not to mention the frequent use of allopathic medication for anxiety management for dogs. The range in the spectrum of anxiety is wide, but addressing the diet and feeding raw meaty bones is always a good place to start. If this does not completely solve the problem, it will certainly enhance and support other actions that can be taken to support our dogs, when addressing anxiety issues.
After all, this is exactly what a holistic approach entails: addressing a situation from a physical perspective as well as mentally and emotionally; going to the cause of the problem for understanding and solving it, instead of suppressing it.
But getting back to bones, if raw meaty bones are so great for dogs,
why do so many dog guardians not feed bones to their carnivore companions?
These are some of the most popular concerns I have come across:
fear of the dog eating bone and being unable to digest it,
fear of bacteria contamination,
fear of choking,
concerns about the dog making an indoor mess,(when the dog can’t chew the bone outdoors),
fear of making the dog more aggressive
Here, some answers to safely feed raw meaty bones:
What if my dog swallows a piece of bone?
Carnivore species are capable of digesting bone. Their digestive system is perfectly designed for it. They are much better equipped to digest bone than corn, which paradoxically is an ingredient often included in dog food by some well-known commercial brands.
However, we still need to keep some important details in mind when feeding bones.
Do not feed cooked bones: raw bones are safer than cooked bones (boiled, smoked, baked, microwave, barbecue leftovers). Cooked bones become brittle, they are more difficult to digest, and are more likely to cause obstructions or lacerations.
Pick up the old bones from your yard: over time and exposure to the elements, old bones also become brittle, so it's safer to pick them up from your yard.
Always supervise dogs with bones.
What about bacteria contamination?
While wild felines aren't scavengers but hunters, most wild canines are scavengers as well as hunters. This could explain why most dogs are so much easier to please than cats when it's time for a meal. This is also a strong indicator that canines can tolerate higher levels of bacteria if healthy. Their digestive system can certainly tolerate bacteria at much higher levels than any human being could, for instance. However, immune-compromised dogs are more sensitive and this should be taken into consideration as well.
In any case, the way to prevent bacteria poisoning is freezing the raw bones for two weeks before feeding. This also applies to raw meat in general.
Prevent choking by choosing the right bones: the size matters
As a general rule, you can take the correspondence between the size of the dog and the size of the bone. If you give a chicken neck to a Golden Retriever, there will be hardly any chewing, therefore not much teeth cleaning. He still will benefit from its nutritional value though. The ideal is to choose larger bones for larger dogs, smaller bones for smaller dogs. You also need to take into consideration what kind of chewer your dog is. Does he take his time? Or he tends to gulp it? More about this topic on Bones Matter part 2.
Feeding Raw Meaty Bones indoors
Understanding the importance of feeding raw meaty bones for physical and mental health of your carnivore companion may help you to make the decision and necessary arrangements so your dog and cat can enjoy their bones once, twice, or even three times a week.
If you don't have an outdoor space or winter is too hard for your dog to chew his bone outdoors, you can teach him to chew it indoors, on a mat, or wherever you consider a convenient space. There are some rubber mats specially for this in some pet stores. It'll take a bit of your time and kind patience but probably sooner than you think, he'll be able to adapt. Bones are so precious to them that they'll be willing to cooperate!
Myth: Bones make dogs more aggressive
Once in a while, we'll come across a dog that will protectively guard his bone, not liking anyone coming close to it. This kind of response is called resource guarding aggression. It's not only limited to bones but to objects that the dog appreciates very much. It could be a toy or a place or even her favorite human. The good news is that if your dog shows this kind of behavior, you can work with her to change it to a more gentle, peaceful response. You should be able to safely remove the bone or whatever is her favorite object. If you have this problem and would like some help the Trust Technique can do wonders. It'll take some of your time and dedication but definitely worth it for more than one good reason. For more information, go to
Summarizing
Chewing raw meaty bones can make your dog and cat happier and healthier. It can make your life much easier not having to brush your furry companion's teeth regularly. Their breath will smell just fine, and there wouldn't be a need for stressful, unpleasant and expensive procedures.
Huge Thanks to Tail Blazers Gateway for its commitment to dogs and cats' health care and for supporting this blog!
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