I have written a number of times about bones for Dogs but quite regularly I will either get a comment on an old Dog Blog post or I will receive a personal email asking me if it is safe to give a Dog:
- Cooked bones
- Boiled bones
- Chicken bones after a roast
- Pork bones
- Small cooked bones
- Large cooked bones
And on the list goes.
This is for anyone who is unsure about what bones they can give to Dogs and to dispel some of the myths about the realities of feeding bones for Dogs.
In a nutshell the only thing you need to know is that:
You should never give a cooked bone to a Dog.
That is the single most important factor that all owners of Dogs need to be absolutely clear on. Cooked bones are not natural for Dogs, they never learnt how to make fire and in their natural state barbecue was not something they were ever too hot on grasping. Raw meaty bones are natural and good for Dogs for all manner of reasons.
Before we get in to that the only other thing you need to be aware of is that raw pork bones may pose a health hazard, but if they are put in the freezer for a few weeks this danger is totally bypassed and pork is as safe as any other raw bone for a Dogs.
Now, many people are loathe to give their Dog a bone but basically all raw bones are safe bones for Dogs.
Dow owners seem scared to give raw bones to their pets, and to be honest I used to be one of those people. The result was that our poor old Dog Sam suffered from bad breath, decaying teeth and had to undergo serious (and costly) dental work.
Oh how I wish that I knew then what I know now.
Many think it is natural but it is not natural for Dogs to have bad breath.
None of our three Dogs, or even the Cat for that matter, have bad breath at all. They can be right in your face, and who has a Dog that isn’t on occasion, and there is never a whiff of bad breath unless we have been lax and not given them a raw meaty bone for an extended amount of time.
How do raw bones clean Dogs teeth?
The mere act of chewing, grinding and trying to decimate a raw bone will scrape away any plaque, tartar and the like from a Dogs (or Cats) teeth. The result is a set of teeth many of us would be proud of. The more regular they get them the cleaner their teeth and the better their breath.
But aren’t raw bones dangerous? Won’t it pierce their
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Intestines
The only significant chance of a bone causing damage to a Dog is if it is cooked. Then they can splinter easily and cause major damage. Raw bones are soft, no matter how hard they seem to us. Dogs will eventually eat through almost any bone. Some are tough and these will be the ones that they will never get a bit chunk of in one go. Softer bones they can go through very quickly but they are easily digest-able and about the nicest treat a Dog can have.
Introducing Safe Bones For Dogs
If your Dog has never had a raw meaty bone then begin slowly. Get some small pieces so they can begin the magical transformation to clean teeth, lovely breath, a shinier coat, small stools and general healthiness. Better yet go to the butchers and ask them for a really hard bone with some meat on. Many Dogs will be able to grind on them but never really eat them.
An yes, that’s right. If you feed your Dog bones on a regular basis, at least 2 or 3 times a week their stools will be small, compact, pale and never runny. A true boon in itself and reason enough for many owners of Dogs to make the switch.
And, one of the most important reasons to give safe bones for Dogs:
Dogs love Raw meaty bones.
Whenever we go to town we go to our local butchers and for what amounts to about $5 we get a shopping bag full of bones, beef, ribs and anything else that is slightly passed suitable for human consumption, or bones that the butcher knows will not be sold for making stocks.
One thing I have learnt is that the meat and bones may whiff slightly but unless it is seriously over it is not in any way a problem for Dogs. Their digestive systems are nothing like ours. They are designed to feed off old meat and carcasses of animals in the wild that we would run a mile from. Just stop thinking of your Dogs stomach as anything like your own.
And this may also be the jump start you need to begin visiting a local butchers and actually supporting your local economy rather than the supermarket. But, if you do only use a supermarket then ask there, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
Now, I am not saying there is no risk to a Dog if it eats a raw bone. I am sure there are cases of bits getting stuck and the like. But how about the dangers of commercial Dog food, the fact that they can die prematurely from a rubbish diet. The fact that they can be ill or even die from problems associated with severe tooth decay.
If you could only see my three Dogs when we arrive home with a bag of raw bones. If you could see them lying in the grass for hours on end munching away on a health giving and nutritious bone.
If you could only hear the birds chirping and the crickets hopping. You can’t do that when you have a bored Dog or a barking Dog. Give a Dog a big raw bone and you will have peace. They will be about as content as you have ever seen them and you will wish you had done it years ago.
I have said it before and I am sure I will do it again. Buy The Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health Book
More and more of us are giving our Dogs medications for all types of conditions. I know, I am in the pet meds business and have seen sales soar, Discount Rimadyl for Dogs, Cosequin, Deramaxx, any number of meds to ease pain and treat for arthritis and other conditions that are now all too common. Dogs given a more natural diet and one that naturally promotes healthy joints and tissue can mean there is a significantly lower chance of you needing to buy these type of medications.
They will certainly not do any hearm to a healthy Dog. Do your Dog a favor and give them some raw meaty bones. They promote health, promote strong health bones, keep their teeth clean, cure bad breath in Dogs, keep them occupied and out of trouble and on the list goes.
Ask the butcher what they recommend. You will be surprised (or not) how knowledgeable they are and how helpful they are. You should be able to get a good and regular supply of raw bones for Dogs for a low price. And if your butcher is less than helpful then go find another one.
Hopefully this has cleared up a few misconceptions for those that may have not read some of the previous articles or are still uncertain about whether Dogs can really have bones.
Tags: raw bones for dogs, Raw Meaty Bones, safe bones for dogs, safe dog bones
