Mary Allen
When feeding with raw feed – the so-called BARF – bones are an essential component. However, many dog owners are uncertain when it comes to bone feeding. Possible risks, such as digestive problems or intestinal obstruction, understandably do not want to be expected of the fur nose. If you are well informed and follow a few basic rules, bone feeding can have many advantages.
What Speaks for Bone Feeding?
As soon as dogs are weaned from their mother’s milk, the question arises as to the correct feeding of the four-legged friend. Of course, as a dog owner, you can use ready-made food, but it is not necessarily the best food for the animals. Raw food, on the other hand, is worthwhile for a diet that is as natural as possible – not only for older fur noses but also for healthy BARF for puppies.
With BARF, dogs are supplied with all the important minerals and trace elements. This ensures healthy feeding without any artificial additives or preservatives. Bones are a particularly good source of energy and calcium. They provide the animals with valuable fats, proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes. Bone feeding is also worthwhile because it…
- …for well-groomed dog teeth Tartar is rubbed off and additional dental care is not necessary.
- …excellent training of the muscles. The process of gnawing trains the muscles of the animal’s body.
- … triggers great feelings of happiness. Eating bones keeps dogs more balanced and happy.
- …can be used as a species-appropriate activity for the four-legged friend. While you shouldn’t leave your dog unattended, he doesn’t need your undivided attention to nibble. This gives dog owners a little more time for themselves.
Dangers of Bone Feeding
Bone feeding has many benefits. However, special care should be taken with gluttonous dogs and dogs prone to gorging. Hasty eating can cause the bones to get stuck in the throat. In the worst case, the fur nose can suffocate. Alternatively, finely chopped bones or a mineral mixture (e.g. bone meal) are suitable.
There is also a risk of bones causing injuries. Eating sometimes results in larger bone splinters, which damage the mouth and the digestive tract. Particular caution is required with disc-shaped marrow bones! When the marrow is licked out, the bone can brush over the lower jaw and tongue. Dogs can’t free themselves from it. Hectic movements with their paws can cause bloody injuries.
Ground Rules
To avoid the potential dangers of bone feeding, there are several ground rules that dog owners should follow. This is the best way to protect your four-legged friend from dangerous injuries.
Only Feed Raw Bones with Meat
Only certain bones are suitable for bone feeding. It is especially important to only feed your dog raw bones. The structure of cooked bones changes – they become brittle and splinter when eaten. Bones from older animals also break quickly into smaller pieces. Therefore, those from younger animals, such as calves and lambs, should end up in the feeding bowl.
In addition, bones with meat appendages are preferable. The ideal composition is 50% bone and 50% meat. Meat, they are many times easier for dogs to digest. The meat content gets the gastric acid going, which in turn simplifies digestion.
Supervise Bone Feeding
When eating greedily, many dogs swallow bone fragments, which can cause injuries. You should be particularly careful with greedy dogs. Dogs that tend to gnaw should therefore never be left unattended when nibbling. In this way, if danger threatens, you can quickly take precautionary measures (e.g. if your four-legged friend chokes).
Feed bones in Moderation
It is mainly the number of bones that can cause problems when feeding. It is therefore important that you only feed the treats in moderation. A small portion once a week is sufficient. At the same time, with this dosage, the four-legged friends can usually cope with a piece that is difficult to digest without any problems.
If dogs eat too many bones at once, they often end up in the rectum undigested. As a result, water is extracted from the faeces feces and bone feces are formed. This becomes very hard, with sharp bone particles on the surface. In some dogs, the bone feces must be surgically removed under anesthesia.
Don’t Pick Pork Bones
Bones from different animals can be fed. Pork bones are an exception. The so-called Aujeszky virus can be transmitted to dogs with pork. It is the trigger for the dangerous pseudo-rage, a deadly canine disease. Pork can also contain nematodes and salmonella.
Conclusion
Bone feeding ensures the most natural and balanced dog nutrition possible. Along with its many benefits, however, it comes with certain risks. The treats are not suitable for all dog breeds. In the worst case, bones can be life-threatening for the four-legged friend.
However, as an essential part of BARF, bone feeding is always worth a try. If you follow a few important basic rules, you are well prepared as a dog owner. Your four-legged friend will thank you!