Author: Debra, Brookside Barkery & Bath
Eating raw bones is as natural as eating fresh meat for dogs and cats. Problem is, we’ve been serving up commercial dry food for the last several decades and our pets have suffered from not having a regular supply of raw meaty bones. And compound that with the added confinement of domestic cats so much so that they do not consume live prey therefore they have a big decline in the consumption of fresh bones. These changes have led to a huge rise in dental disease in dogs and cats and the evolution of a new specialty, veterinary dentistry.
Start them young…a good supply of calcium and other nutrients during early growth stages of early puppies and kittens will help to ensure strong healthy teeth. Puppies and kittens can tackle soft macerated meat and bone pieces as soon as they develop their milk teeth, at around 4-5 weeks. Puppies and kittens can have a bone offered to them daily during their growth phase which for kittens and small breed dogs is from 6 – 12 months. For medium dogs, they can have them daily from 12 – 18 months and for large and giant breeds, at two years old.
Raw bones are nutritionally valuable to our dogs and cats. They provide a natural digestible form of calcium, that is a natural balance to high levels of phosphorous found in raw meat.
This calcium from raw bones can be up to four times more digestible than most common calcium supplements found in commercial and some raw food.
Raw bones play an integral role in dental hygiene for dogs and cats (see article “Ready for Raw Meaty Bones”) and can make trips to the veterinary dentist unnecessary which in turn reduces risks associated with sedation that is generally given in order to clean teeth.
Even more, feeding raw meaty bones actually have a beneficial effect on the dog or cat’s digestive tract. It has a scouring effect providing needed roughage in the diet, and provides bulk for healthy fecal motions that stimulate anal gland expression.
The final reason for feeding raw bones is the pleasure it gives our pets. The act of chewing actually releases serotonin, a stimulant.
There is nothing that pleases me more than watching my border collie tear into a raw bone with such sustained gusto! Outside, wind blowing through her fur, chomping on a bone…it just doesn’t get much better.
Read our other articles on Feeding Raw Meaty Bones:
Ready for Raw Meaty Bones
Precautions of Feeding Raw Bones
Flashy Feline Fangs
Locations and Hours