Feeding Raw Bones

In the Prey model raw style of feeding, we do feed a certain percentage of raw bones.  This does many things for the dog, it's a highly digestible source of calcium, and phosphorus for proper bone and teeth health.  It also is a good source of fiber, and is the "stool firmer" in the diet.  And probably one of the best benefits, they are really good teeth and gum cleaners (better than anything else I've tried).

There are two different kinds of raw bones raw feeders usually feed:

Raw Meaty Bones (RMB's) - These bones are consumed and eaten by the dog with raw meat surrounding them, they are usually the smaller and softer raw bones, making it easier for the dog to chew and eat.  Examples of RMB's are: Bone in chicken parts (thighs, drumsticks, quarters, breasts, backs), bone in turkey parts (necks and wings), pork rib bones, bone in rabbit, fish (certain kinds), cornish hen, or duck parts, and lamb ribs.  Larger animals Deer, Cow, Bison, etc. are usually too large and the bones are too hard for a dog to chew and consume properly.

* Some of these bone depend on the size of the dog as to if they can be consumed.

For a puggle, chicken/cornish hen thighs, drumsticks, breasts, turkey necks, and bone in fish, can make some good RMB's.

Raw Recreational Bones (Rec Bones)- These raw bones are only meant for cleaning and recreational chewing, the dog does not consume these bones.  Usually these bones are from the larger animals like Deer, Cow, Bison, etc.  Examples of Rec bones are: raw beef rib bones, beef marrow bones, raw beef knuckle bones, raw lamb necks, beef leg bones, deer leg bones, etc.

*Again the size of the bone matters with the size of the dog to prevent choking risks.  And with the rec bones, if you have power chewers, you need to be careful as the larger harder bones could cause teeth breakage or chips.

For a puggle, beef rib back bones, lamb neck bones, can be good Rec bones.

**With the raw beef rib bones you want to separate them individually (for small dogs), trim off some fat (if your dog isn't use to eating raw or eats kibble usually), trim off some meat (if this is not being fed as a meal), and cut off the small triangle bone on the end (as it could be a choking hazard).

Raw beef back ribs.

Small triangle end bone cut off beef rib bones.

Risks and Safety info with feeding raw bones properly
Feeding a dog raw bones can be a controversial subject. Some vets will be against it, and some vets, like mine, are fine with it. A dog's physiology and anatomy (teeth, jaw movement, neck muscles, stomach acid PH etc.) is all designed for them to chew and eat raw bones. However I do think it's something as a dog owner you have to be comfortable with doing, and as with anything a dog puts

in its mouth (kibble, socks, tennis balls, raw hide bones, greenies, etc.) understand there are some risks.

http://rawfed.com/myths/bones.html

Vet Dr. Peter Dobias on giving your dog raw bones
http://peterdobias.com/community/0201/05/raw-bones-for-dogs/

Vet Dr. Karen Becker on giving your dog bones
 http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx
 http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/05/19/caution-bones-can-kill-your-dog-find-out-which-ones-are-safe.aspx

Vet Dr. Jodie Gruenstern on feeding raw bones
http://www.ivcjournal.com/articles/raw-bones-what-you-need-to-know/

Vet Dr. Will Falconer raw bones and dental health
http://vitalanimal.com/natural-dental-prevention/

Vet Dr. Greg Martinez on feeding raw bones
http://www.thrivingcanine.com/vet_opinion_raw_meaty_bones

Vet Dr. Vicky Payne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw60Jw4p_KY

 Vet Surgeon Dr. Tom Lonsdale
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf

Vet Dr. Khuly on raw bones.
http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2008/october/can-raw-meaty-bones-deliver-better-teeth-and-better-behavior-one-vet-and-two-dogs-have-their-say#.UIgg24bubEB

Hyde Park Vet Center
 http://hydeparkvetcentre.blogspot.com/2012/02/can-i-really-feed-raw-bones-to-my-dog.html


 Giving raw bones for teeth cleaning
Some who don't want to or are unable to feed a raw diet to their dogs, still may want to give their dogs occasional raw bones for the dental benefits.  This is certainly fine to do, the same safety precautions apply.  It should be noted that some dogs can experience GI upset when feeding raw bones (RMB's or Rec bones) and kibble together, so it may be advisable to feed kibble in the morning and a raw chicken thigh for dinner or give a raw beef rib bone a few hours after kibble meals.  The rich marrow and raw fat may also give a dog some loose stool in the beginning, because they aren't use to it, if this is the case, try cutting any fat/skin/or marrow off of the bone and gradually leave more of it on each time you give one to the dog.  I've found the the RMB's usually clean the back teeth very well, while the Rec bones clean the front teeth better.

Lola with a large raw beef leg bone.