The benefits of raw bones for dogs
Our dogs can behave in ways that make them seem so human. Yet, they are the descendants and distant cousins of wild canids like wolves. Unfortunately, we often forget that they still share many physical traits with their wild cousins.
Because of this, we are prone to feed them what we think of as ‘dog food.’ Of course, a healthy diet is essential for dogs, but we must supplement it with paleo-friendly treats to round it out.
Why raw bones are the perfect paleo-friendly treat
Raw bones are great as a treat. Furthermore, they give our pets hours of entertainment while offering several health benefits. Most importantly, raw bones are a natural treat for dogs.
But are raw bones better than cooked? Unfortunately, cooked bones become brittle and can easily splinter and become a choking hazard. In addition, bones lose a lot of their nutritional value when cooked.
The bones you feed your dogs need to be served raw for the perfect, healthy chew. While that may seem less hygienic from our perspective, we should keep in mind that a dog’s digestive system differs from ours in a few ways.
Great for dental hygiene
One difference between dogs and humans is how we approach dental hygiene. While one can brush your dog’s teeth, keeping them in the best condition possible is not enough. Raw bones provide your dog with a way to keep their teeth and gums healthy in a natural way.
Essential nutrients
While bones are great for dental hygiene, they also give your pets a natural source of certain nutrients. Supplement companies would lie for us to believe that their products meet all of our pet’s nutritional needs. However, that is not true.
Just as with supplements designed for human consumption, pet supplements look great on paper. However, they fall short when it comes to actual benefits. The simple reason for this is that not all nutrients are the same.
Synthetic nutrients differ from natural nutrients. Biological nutrients are easier to absorb and better bond with biological systems. Synthetic ‘nutrients’ are very literally the chemical you would see on the periodic table. However, they are harder and more energy intensive for the body to absorb and use.
One of the biggest culprits is calcium. Calcium is a metal on the periodic table but comes in different chemical forms. The most common forms are
- Calcium carbonate (40% elemental calcium)
- Calcium citrate (21% elemental calcium)
- Calcium gluconate (9% elemental calcium)
- Calcium lactate (13% elemental calcium)
The calcium with the highest bioavailability is calcium carbonate. That matches up with what we most commonly find in biological systems. However, the type of calcium greatly affects how effectively our dogs can break down and use the nutrient.
And it is not only calcium. Bones contain nutrients like protein, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, potassium, and fluoride. Most of these are subject to the same problem of synthetic vs organic variations.
A safer treat
We have mentioned that cooked bones become brittle, making them a choking hazard. But cooked bones aren’t the only choking hazard that most pets face. We often think picking up a cheap chew toy at the shops is a safe way to keep our pups entertained.
Unfortunately, all but the highest quality and most expensive pet toy chew present serious health risks. More specifically, they consist of materials that will break apart and become a choking risk.
In addition, the various plastics used can cause serious internal damage if swallowed. And that is not to mention the various risks of toxicity that these plastics can cause if absorbed by the body.
Destructive chewing habits
As sure as the sun rises, dogs will chew. That can become a big problem when they decide that they are going to chew furniture and other valuables. Although we call this chewing a ‘destructive’ behaviour, it is rooted in an instinct.
Dogs chew for many reasons, and it is natural. Triggers include
behavioural disorders, stress, or even boredom. Regardless of the reason, one must provide them with an outlet for the urge to chew. It is a responsibility and insurance against many unfortunate incidents.
Raw bones are ideal for helping treat the behaviour associated with many such issues. In addition, they are generally a more appealing chew. That and the health benefits already place raw bones at the top of the list as chew aids.
When we add the dental hygiene benefits, it is a clear win in favour of raw bones as treats and chews.
FAQ
What if my dog is allergic to beef?
You may be cautious about introducing new treats to your dog if they suffer from food allergies. It is only prudent, but that does not mean your pup has to miss out on a healthy chew. A popular alternative is ostrich bone or venison bone .
You need not worry about growth hormones and other unruly farming practices with venison bone. Venison is not bombarded with antibiotics either, and they enjoy an identical diet to what they would in nature.
Venison bone offers all of the benefits of beef and some, so when deciding on the right raw chew for your pups.
Does the size matter?
Generally, the standard is that the right size is one small enough that your dog can mouth it easily and large enough that they can’t swallow it. Unfortunately, however, that is not a satisfactory answer for most of us pet parents.
It is better to consult a trustworthy professional. Generally, quality stockists will easily advise you and the right size bone for your dog. However, one must also remember that the correct-sized bone changes with your dog’s size and age.
Can I use raw bones as a treat during training?
Raw bones are hands down the best chew treat, but they are not the best treatment to motivate dogs during training. That is not because they are bad treats but because your dog will almost certainly lose all interest in training when they have a bone to chew.
You can find some appropriate training treats here.
In closing
Bones make a great treat, but not all bones are equal. Cooked bones may seem the go-to option, but they pose a serious choking risk. That is because cooked bone goes brittle, which makes it likely that the bone will splinter.
Raw bones are not only safer but provide more nutritional value. While the nutritional value of raw bone exceeds that of cooked bone, it also beats almost all supplements in providing organic, bioavailable sources of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fluoride.
Raw bones also fulfil an instinctive chewing need in dogs. While this helps avoid damage to furniture and valuables around the house, it also maintains your dog’s dental health.
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