FAQS

+What Makes Bones & Co. Different?

All of our food is:

• Keto Approved: our low-carb recipes are formulated to shift the dog's metabolism away from carbs, and towards healthy fats.
• Made from responsibly sourced ingredients & grass-fed/cage free animals
• Made with MORE meat and NO fillers
• 95% Meat, Bones & Organs
• Made with human-grade meat
• Learn More: CLICK HERE

+Who Is Bones & Co.?

We are a small, family-owned company dedicated to pet metabolic health.

With 6 million dogs diagnosed with cancer per year, it is our mission to support independent retailers, pet parents and holistic practitioners in the fight against heatbreaking metabolic diseases.

Based out of Austin, Texas, we handcraft a line of Keto Approved pet foods: metabolically appropriate, low in carbs, and higher in healthy fats. A ketogenic diet promotes an optimal metabolic state known as ketosis, where the body shifts away from using carbohydrates as a fuel source and towards using healthy fats instead. Responsibly sourced from small family farms in the U.S., we only use whole cuts of meat and organic produce.

In addition to our complete line of keto friendly raw and freeze-dried food, we offer supplements, raw bones, and freeze-dried treats.

Learn More: CLICK HERE

+What Is Your Product Guarantee?

Guaranteed to decrease glucose and increase ketones, or your dog’s next meal is on us.

Learn More: CLICK HERE

+How Can I Share A Testimonial?

We LOVE hearing from you! If you have a testimonial to share, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.

+Are You Family Owned And Operated?

Yes!

+ Do You Ship?

NO, we don't ship. We sell our food, bones, supplements, and treats in small, independent pet shops all over the U.S.! The easiest way to find our food is call your local pet store and ask for us, or check our store locator here: https://www.thebonesandco.com/stockists/

If you don't see your store listed, don't fret! We are expanding everyday - and you can help with that! We recommend to ALWAYS ask your local pet stores if they can special order our product. While we can't guarantee that they will be able to today, your request helps us grow in a big way. One day, our dream is to be able to offer our food and treats to dogs all over the U.S.! Be sure to SIGN UP for our Tribe and we'll notify you as we grow.

+ How Can I Find Your Food?

Check out our store locator to find a local pet shop that carries B&C food: STORE LOCATOR

Remember, if you do not see your store on the store finder, don't fret! While we do not ship, we are expanding quickly and hope to be in your region soon.

We recommend to call your local pet stores to request Bones & Co., this will help tremendously! Many stores can special order our products from their distributor, they just need to ask!

+ How Much Does Your Food Cost?

We are unable share prices online because prices can vary from store to store based on location. Be sure to locate and call a store near you for specific prices on products near you! Go here: https://www.thebonesandco.com/stockists/

That said, in order to ensure our food is as accessible as possible, the cost of feeding Bones & Co. can cost less than a cup of coffee a day!

+ I Can't Afford B&C At The Moment, Any Suggestions?

We understand, for one reason or another, that pet parents sometimes can't afford to feed their dog 100% raw Keto food. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, though! Dogs will benefit from eating the most amount of fresh, raw food and meat possible. Try adding in a patty or two each week—a little bit of raw meat goes a long way!

Also, if you’re not ready to completely make the transition to raw food, you can give our supplements a shot! Adding in healthy probiotics, greens, raw food, and/or supplemental bones can give your dog a nutritional BOOST that they aren’t getting from kibble.

+How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

GREAT question. Every dog is different, but the general rule of thumb is to feed your full-grown dog 2.5% of their ideal body weight. Factors such as activity, age, health, metabolism, breed, and other lifestyle factors play a part in determining how much you should feed your dog. Be sure to monitor your dog’s weight and health (along with a holistic vet) and adjust feeding quantities accordingly.

Learn More, CLICK HERE1

+Do I Need To Add Supplements To Bones & Co. Patties Or Minis?

Patties and minis are completely balanced and meet AAFCO’s nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet foods. Unless otherwise specified by your pet’s health care provider, it is not necessary to add supplements to our patties and minis since your pup will be getting all of the required nutrients in their main meal.

That said, supplements are just that...supplemental. Supplements like Bone Broth, Goat Milk, and Bark Boost can give your pup a nutritional BOOST that they might need after a good bit of exercise, when it’s hot, or when they are recovering from an illness. Extra nutrients that promote healthy gut functioning, enhanced hydration, and a healthy immune system are always a good idea.

+Can Young Puppies Eat Bones & Co. Food? If so, how much?

YES, puppies can be fed a raw diet. The sooner a dog starts eating raw food, the better! Raw food is optimal for carnivorous canines, regardless of age.

Here’s the golden rule for feeding puppies:

We recommend that you feed them 5% of their current weight split up 3-4 times a day.

Puppies are constantly growing so the best way to feed them the right amount is to slowly increase the amount of food! This is different than full-grown dogs because you won’t know your puppy’s ideal weight until they stop growing!

Learn more, CLICK HERE

+How Do I Transition From Kibble To Raw?

Making the switch from kibble to a natural raw food diet is usually very simple. While you transition, we’re here to help and be a resource to you with whatever you need!

How to transition: CLICK TO WATCH

Generally speaking, there are two methods that people use:

Method #1: This is the method that we recommend. Make the switch over the period of a week or more. This method is ideal for picky dogs, dogs with a history of GI sensitivity, older dogs, and dogs accustomed to eating kibble. Slowly transition from feeding kibble to raw food by adding in more and more raw food over the period of 1 or more weeks. Here's how it works: slowly increase the % of raw food in your dog's bowl. Once stool is stable, you are good to increase the % of raw. Once you are feeding 100% raw and your pup’s stool has firmed, the process is complete!

Method #2: We do not recommend this method but some pet parents chooose this route. Here's how it works: make the switch immediately...day #1 you are feeding kibble and day #2 you are feeding raw. This method may work for young pups, dogs used to fresh food toppers, and healthy dogs.

+What Is Detoxification?

Detoxification is something that may happen to dogs when they transition from eating kibble to a whole raw food diet. Detoxing may last between a few days or a few weeks. Some dogs don’t even detox at all! Symptoms may include:

• Inconsistency in stools
• Runny eyes
• Excess shedding
• Excess earwax

It’s important to know that these symptoms are normal. Dogs going through detoxification are doing just that...detoxing. They are literally shedding all of the toxins and gunk from their body that they had while eating a kibble diet. Be sure to provide your pup with plenty of fresh water, exercise, and consider adding supplements like Goat Milk or Bone Broth to ease your dog’s GI tract during the transition.

More on Detoxification: CLICK HERE

+How Do I Feed My Dog Raw Food?

Once you’ve brought your raw patties or minis home, here’s HOW to give it to your dog:

Step 1: After purchasing Bones & Co. raw food (patties, minis, supplements, or bones), put the food in your freezer for storage.

Step 2: Since patties and minis need around 24 hours to completely thaw, stick the # of patties you need for the next TWO days in the fridge. We suggest using a Tupperware container to hold the patties/minis in the fridge. (For bones, thaw ~1 day in the fridge before serving to decrease risk for aggressive chewers.)

Step 3: Once patties, minis, or bones are thawed to your preference, serve them to your pup (yum!).

Step 4: Repeat the process and you'll have fresh, raw food for weeks!

NOTE: Some dogs prefer patties and minis only partially frozen, and that's okay!

+Where Do You Source Your Food?

We source from small farms that responsibly raise their animals.

All of our Farm-To-Bowl proteins are grass-fed or cage-free, and contain no antibiotics or added hormones. Even better, see how we source:

+Where do you make your food?

We make our raw food in USDA-inspected, human-grade kitchens with human-grade ingredients. Our freeze-dried food is made in an FDA-inspected facility with human-grade, USDA-inspected meats and other human-grade ingredients.

+Do you HPP (high-pressure process)?

Our frozen, raw food is non-HPP. Our freeze-dried food is HPP.

+Do You Use Organic Ingredients?

All of our produce ingredients are USDA Certified Organic. Our meat is human-grade and sourced from grass-fed, cage-free and responsibly raised animals.

We source from small farms that use integrative and sustainable agriculture practices. For many of our small farms the cost of organic or GAP certification is cost prohibitive. Although not all of our farmers are certified that doesn't mean we sacrifice on the quality of our meats or sourcing.

+Can I Feed My Cat B&C Food?

Our food is not formulated to meet the specific needs of cats. Some pet parents choose to feed their cats Bones & Co. food supplementally.

That said, our Beef Bone Broth and Raw Goat Milk are two supplements that are approved for cats. Bone broth is great for hydration and promotes healthy gut functioning while Goat Milk is an excellent source of probiotics. Plus, both are delicious!

+Do You Meet AAFCO Requirements?

YES, we meet and exceed AAFCO’s nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet foods. We surpass these standards because our raw food is made from fresh meat, not processed ingredients. Our raw food is in its natural state, not cooked or pasteurized, to avoid damaging the nutrients and enzymes found in the food.

+What Does It Mean That Ingredients Are "Human-Grade?"

Human-grade food and meat is a huge step above the quality of meat found in many kibbles, which is “pet-grade” and can include by-products, renderings, meat from diseased animals, and more.

If it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for our pups.

+What Is The Shelf Life Of Your Products?

The shelf life of our products depends on the actual product! Be sure to check the expiration date to see how long each product is safe to feed your dog after purchase.

Note: once frozen meat (patties or minis) have been moved out of the freezer and into the fridge, be sure to feed your dog the meat within 4 days in order to avoid the meat spoiling. Like with any human-grade meat, our food is super fresh so be sure not to let it go bad in the fridge!

+Do You Use Any Preservatives?

NO, the only preservative we use is the freezer!

+ What Are The Benefits Of A Raw, Keto Diet?

On a metabolically-appropriate raw diet, a dog's system is naturally balanced and not working overtime to process harsh chemicals or carbs. When a dog’s body can function properly at a metabolic level, numerous health benefits arise:

• Improved blood sugar and ketone levels (i.e. metabolic markers)
• A shinier coat (from bioavailable nutrients in raw food)
• Cleaner teeth (from chewing on raw bones)
• Reduction in stool size (healthier gut biome = better digestion = healthier poop!)
• Offers better weight control (the body can regulate itself better)
• Less dehydration (raw food is REAL food with intracellular moisture)
• Reduced food intolerance (raw is real food, not Franken food)
• Lowers vet bills over time. If a dogs is fundamentally healthy on a cellular level, then they are in the best position to fight diseases and thrive.

Don't just take our word for it! We recommend that you spend time digging into our resource center to learn the truth about raw food & its benefits. Enter the LABoratory: https://www.thebonesandco.com/get-access-resources/

+ What's Wrong With Kibble?

Kibble is the human equivalent of fast food. It’s highly-processed, the nutrients are not in the most bioavailable form, and it’s not healthy when consumed long-term. When dogs eat kibble, they miss out on one of the best things in life: eating fresh, whole foods. Forced to merely survive instead of thrive, dogs that eat kibble are far more likely to develop diseases like cancer, obesity, and diabetes.

While there are numerous problems with kibble, the main issues are:

• Kibble is made from "poor-quality meats, byproducts and synthetic vitamins and minerals”
• Kibble contains high amount of biologically-inappropriate carbs
• Kibble contains little-to-no natural “good bacteria” or probiotics
• Kibble contains little-to-no intracellular moisture. That’s why kibble-fed dogs are often dehydrated.

Many pet parents feed kibble because there is a current perception that this is what dogs should be eating. Large, multi-national, billion-dollar pet food companies spend millions of dollars on advertising to convince consumers that kibble is the best food for dogs. Big kibble companies even write the nutrition textbooks that are used in vet schools!

Kibble is not superior to raw, whole foods and we’re on a mission to make sure that less and less parents are “pet fooled” by Big Pet Food’s tactics.

+ Is Raw Food Safe For Dogs?

Raw meat contains bacteria: it will contain good bacteria and can contain bad bacteria. Mainly, when we’re talking about bad bacteria in raw food, we’re discussing Salmonella and E-coli.

Big Pet Food likes to emphasize the fact that raw meat may contain bad bacteria. They use this as a reason that people should not feed raw. (Interesting how humans still eat high-quality Sushi...). In reality, dogs are well-equipped to process good and even bad bacteria. With a short GI tract, high stomach acidity, and bacteria-killing saliva called lysozyme, dogs can eat what they are biologically meant to eat: raw meat. Additionally, kibble is not bacteria-free. There are recalls on kibble all the time for containng bad bacteria, poisons, and more.

The only caveat to this is that we do not recommend raw food if your dog is immune compromised. Please discuss whole food options with your holistic vet if you have an immune compromised pup. Find a holistic vet here: https://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/

+ Is Raw Food Safe For Humans To Serve?

There are a lot of myths surrounding raw food. If you use normal kitchen safety procedures, though, you can prevent foodborne illness:

1. Wash your hands with warm water before and after feeding the meat (or after touching your dog’s bowl)

2. Make sure to frequently wash your dog’s bowl (this is a good general practice)

3. DO NOT serve de-thawed meat that has been in the refrigerator for more than 4 days: feeding spoiled meat is not healthy for humans or dogs

+ Can Dogs Who Aren't Sick/Don't Have Cancer Eat Keto?

Our 1:1 (fat:protein) recipe is formulated for everyday feeding and all life stages, with the added bonus of keto health benefits!

To see how Keto is helping dogs with cancer, go here: https://www.thebonesandco.com/blog/how-a-ketogenic-diet-is-helping-dogs-with-cancer

Ketogenic food optimizes dogs’ natural fat-burning abilities, allowing dogs to thrive instead of just survive eating hard-to-process kibble. B&C food puts all dogs in the best position to be healthy overall by giving them metabolically-appropriate fuel. In the long run, a dog who eats great food will be better prepared to fight disease, maintain a healthy weight, and live a longer, happier life.

+ Can You Help My Sick Dog?

We are not vets and highly recommend seeing a holistic vet near you if you have specific questions concerning your dog's health! Find a holistic vet near you: https://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/

+ Why Is My Dog's Stool Smaller Now With Raw?

The proof is in the poo! More bioavailable ingredients in your dog's food means more of the food is absorbed (thus there is less waste).

Stinky, large-sized stools are the by-product of highly processed kibble. Smaller stools are one of the major benefits of a raw, fresh diet for carnivorous canines. Now that your dog is eating appropriate food, their metabolic system is functioning optimally!

+ How Can I Learn More About Keto + Raw?

We’ve put together a one-stop shop of resources, articles, videos, and extras to help you learn more about these topics in our LABoratory. We don’t want you to take our word for it...discover for yourself the science behind raw food and why Keto food is working wonders for our pups. To get access, go here!