Deep Dive: Raw Bones For Dogs

Recreational, raw bones for dogs are a raw-some treat! 

Sometimes called Mother Nature’s toothbrush, raw bones provide amazing dental health benefits for dogs. Plus, they are super yummy! 

While there are many nutritional reasons why pet parents give their dogs bones, the main one is that it’s very enjoyable for pups. We want to give our dogs the best, most enjoyable life, and part of this is being able to gnaw on a bone.  

So, go on: give your dog a bone!

 
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WHAT ARE RAW RECREATIONAL BONES? 

Raw bones for dogs = uncooked raw bones usually filled with marrow (the fatty substance found in the cavity of the bone). This can include ribs, tails, necks, hips, femurs, knuckles and feet from animals such as cow or buffalo.

Usually served frozen, recreational bones are a delicious treat that provide mental stimulation and a good teeth cleaning.

Fun fact: Dogs’ natural desire to chew on bones comes from the fact that they are carnivorous canines 99.9% similar to wolves. In the wild, wolves kill their prey and chew on bones, so dogs chewing on bones is only natural! 

 

RECREATIONAL BONES VERSUS BONE Meal IN FOOD 

You might have noticed that our frozen raw and freeze-dried food for dogs are made up of 95% meat, organs and bone. Bones, specifically, are a nutritional requirement for dogs as they contain important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and other trace minerals.

These edible bones or bone meal typically don’t contain marrow, are ground up finely and put into dog food. Compared to recreational dog bones, bones found in your dog’s bowl are absolutely a vital nutritional requirement and not a recreational food.

Recreational dog bones aren’t a proper substitute for bone meal or edible bones found in dog food, because dogs don’t get the same amount of calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals as they do from edible bones. Recreational dog bones are a yummy healthy treat not meant to replace the basic nutritional requirement of bone for dogs. 

Bones & Co. 1:1 raw and freeze-dried recipes are complete and balanced, formulated with the proper level of ground bone. Now you get to do the fun part: give your dog a recreational bone to make their tail wag!

 

BENEFITS OF RAW BONES FOR DOGS 

While we’ve already mentioned a few, here are the major benefits of raw bones for dogs: 

  • Raw bones clean teeth: When a dog chews on a bone, they remove tartar or calculus from their teeth, which supports the natural health of your pet’s teeth and gums. Tartar is a big problem for dogs. Once tartar or calculus starts to build up on teeth, plague can enter under the gum line, causing inflammation (gingivitis), and this invites bad bacteria to enter into the gums and body. Over time, this can lead to infection all over the body, such as issues in the joints, liver and elsewhere. Tartar build up should be avoided at all costs. 

  • Raw bones are all-natural: Compared to highly-processed and highly-chemical rawhide chews, bones are all natural! This whole, unprocessed food works with dogs’ bodies and doesn’t contain unnecessary chemicals or preservatives—the only preservative is the freezer! 

  • Raw bones provide mental stimulation: Dogs, especially puppies, have an innate desire to chew. By providing dogs with a positive outlet for their chewing, you won’t have to worry as much about your dog chewing on things they aren’t supposed to (like your favorite pair of shoes). When dogs are mentally stimulated, they will be far less likely to act out and cause destruction elsewhere in the house.   

 
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 HOW TO FEED RAW RECREATIONAL BONES AT HOME 

Our raw bones are sold and stored frozen. Be sure to keep the bones frozen right up until you serve your dog.

Before you ever buying your dog a bone, make sure to access what type of bone is ideal for their size. Giving dogs a properly-sized bone that matches how big they are is super important so that the raw chewing experience will be a good one. 

Tip: give your dog a bone that is the same size as or bigger than your dog’s head! If the bone is smaller than your dog’s head...it might be too small for them. 

Now to the fun part: eating! Once you bring your properly-sized bone home, here are a few tips & tricks to make feeding you dog fun and safe: 

  • Feed your dog on a towel or outside: When your pup is chewing on a thawing bone, bits of blood and meat may get on the carpet or wherever they are chewing. In order to stay away from having raw meat all over the place, the best thing to do is give your dog a bone on something washable, or give it to them outside (where they can get as dirty as they want!).  

  • Try not to give your dog a bone every day: Just like with humans, dogs don’t need a special snack every single day. Recreational bones are best when fed 1-2 times a week instead of every day! GI upset from consuming too many raw bones can occur, leading to diarrhea in some dogs if consumed daily. 

  • Be careful and supervise: Be sure to supervise your dog while they chow down on their bone. In case they bite off a small piece, you can remove this piece so that they don’t choke. While there are a lot of scare tactics surrounding feeding dogs bones, this mostly isn’t applicable to raw bones if you choose the right size and supervise. Warning: Do not feed your dog cooked bones! This is where splinters and damage to your dog’s system can occur.  

That’s about it! If you make sure to follow these suggestions for feeding raw bones, the experience of giving your dog a bone is sure to be an enjoyable one. 

 

OUR SELECTION OF RAW BONES 

We have 4 different types of raw, meaty bones for dogs made from beef and buffalo for all shapes and sizes of dogs!  

Here’s our #RadRaw recreational bone menu:  

  • New! Buffalo Rib Bones: Recommended for small dogs under 25 lbs.  

  • 2 in Raw Beef Marrow Bones: Recommended for small to medium dogs. 

  • 4 in Raw Beef Marrow Bones: Recommended for medium to large dogs. 

  • 6 in Raw Beef Marrow Bones: Recommended for medium to large dogs. 

 
 

HELPING DOGS LIVE BETTER WITH RAW NUTRITION 

We’re all about making our dogs’ lives the best they possibly can be—giving them the food they need and the food they deserve. We're here to educate and unite pet parents under the raw food flag so that, together, we can change the way we think about dog food for good. 

Dogs deserve the very best: from all our love and affection to a raw, meaty treat every once and a while! They are family members and a huge part of our hearts.

Help us Spark A Keto Revolution for our dogs, because we know that by feeding them right, we can love them longer. 

Have specific questions about your dog’s health? While B&C cannot give medical advice, we recommend seeking advice from a Holistic Veterinarian for your best furry friend (BFF). B&C is here to be a resource for you while you learn more about raw food, keto, and dog nutrition!

Bones & Co.