Bones in the raw diet
Whilst dogs can survive on a high carb diet such as kibble this does come at a cost (bad breath from poor dental hygiene, allergies, digestive diseases and even cancers). When we observe the features of dog’s and cat’s mouths, we see teeth and jaw structure that are designed to suit a carnivorous diet.
-Bones provide essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus and help keep dogs fuller for longer.
-Chewing bones are an excellent stress relief and mental stimulation for dogs.
-The massaging of gums and chewing keeps teeth clean and remove any build up on teeth.
Image By Jessica Rhae
Choosing the right sized bone:
We do not recommend feeding heavy weight bearing bones such as beef knuckle bones as these bones are very dense and may cause teeth to chip or break. When selecting a bone for your dog it is important to consider the size of the dog and if they are a good chewer. If it is the first time feeding a bone, we recommend feeding a bone that is large enough so the dog can not swallow whole and soft like a poultry bone so the dog can learn to chew easily.
Bones for small dogs and cats: chicken feet,chicken necks, duck feet, duck wings, duck heads, duck necks, turkey necks.
Bones for medium to large dogs: duck frames, duck necks, duck heads, turkey heads, turkey frames, turkey drums, turkey wings, turkey feet, chicken frames, deer feet, lamb necks, lamb brisket, lamb head, beef brisket.
(smaller bones maybe fed to bigger dogs if they are good chewers)
When to feed bones:
Bones can be slowly introduced in a puppy’s diet as soon as they are completely weened, remembering that the puppy is learning so it is critical to teach it how to chew properly. We recommend feeding Raw Meaty bones as a meal 2-3 times a week. The dog should be getting varying bones from different sources (e.g., duck frames, lamb neck and turkey feet) this ensures the dog is experiencing different textures for dental health and a variety of nutrition for overall health.
NEVER FEED COOKED BONES:
When bones are cooked, they become hard and very brittle which makes it easy for them to splinter into sharp pieces this becomes very dangerous. When bones are cooked, they lose nearly all nutritional value and become very hard to digest. Smoked bones often contain harmful additives such as artificial flavors and preservatives, so we advise staying away from them.
