As dog owners, we all want the best for our beloved canine companions. The debate about the best diet for dogs has been ongoing for years, with numerous options available, from commercial kibble to raw food diets. One controversial, but increasingly popular choice among dog owners is feeding dogs raw bones. While it may raise some eyebrows, many experts and dog owners believe that offering raw bones to dogs can be beneficial for their overall health and well-being. In this blog, we'll explore the surprising benefits of giving your dog raw bones to chew on. From dental health to nutritious perks, discover why it's time to embrace your dog's primal instincts and let them indulge in nature's chew-tastic delight!
First, let’s dive into the bone and learn what’s underneath it’s surface: Marrow and cartilage found in raw bones are great sources of collagen, an important compound for healthy skin.
Cartilage and connective tissue found in raw bones contain valuable compounds such as glucosamine and chondroitin, known to promote joint health. These compounds can help prevent or reduce joint problems, especially in aging dogs or breeds prone to joint issues.
Calcium-Phosphorus combines with other minerals in the body, forming phosphates and compounds that help regulate normal bodily functions such as, helps with your dog's growth, maintaining healthy bones and teeth, proper muscle building and function, heart health, and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
The process of digesting a raw bone gently scrubs the intestines, effectively clearing out their insides. The minerals will make their stools firmer and the movement will encourage regular bathroom breaks that will stimulate their anal glands.
Another benefit that makes sense as to why we should be allowing our dogs of every age to chew on raw bones, chewing offer’s an ideal de-stressor as this action releases serotonin and dopamine, two calming, feel-good neurotransmitters that supports mental health. Dogs naturally feel an urge to chew as a way to stimulate their jaw bones, since most dog food diets like kibble and canned dog foods do not provide dogs with enough jaw bone stimulation to keep them satisfied we need to provide this is form of bones, safe chew-toys.
As if you need another reason to give your dogs raw bones, here’s the TOP reason why I give my dog raw bones. Raw bones are in fact softer on our dogs teeth (and are remember they’re digestible), our dogs get the nutritional benefits while removing tartar and scraping away bacteria from the teeth as they chew from side to side, helping to keep our dogs gums healthy.
“We have been told never give dogs any bones” This is true, but only with cooked bones, let’s learn why:
Cooked bones are NOT safe to give to our dogs because during the cooking process the calcium-phosphorus, marrow, collagen and other minerals combine together creating a hard cast. This hard cast becomes very brittle causing the bones to crack easily and shard, this can cause injury to your dogs gums and digestive tract.
Choosing the right size of bone to feed your dog is important as you want to encourage chewing before swallowing. Also the kind of bone is important and reason you’re giving the bone; are you wanting your dog to be busy chewing while you cook/clean or tend to guest? A meaty marrow bone will be the PAW-fect bone for your dog. Or are you adding raw bones in their daily meals? If this is the case, maybe chicken feet, duck, rabbit heads or whole chicks will be good starting size for your dog and provides the daily requirement (10% of dog weight) per meal.
Feeding your dog raw bones, when done responsibly and under supervision, can offer many benefits. From improved dental health and mental stimulation to essential nutrients and joint support, raw bones tap into your dog's ancestral instincts and provide them with a more natural and wholesome diet. However, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian before incorporating any dietary changes to ensure it's suitable for your dog's specific needs and health condition. With proper precautions and attention, introducing raw bones into your dog's diet can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for both you and your dog.
Like, share and leave a comment if you're going to incorporate raw bones in your dogs routine or if this is already part of your routine share with us how you notice the difference in your dog dental health and over all health?
Happy Chewing!
Animal House Academy, llc Dog Training
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