Bone in your dog's diet

Dogs benefit from bone in their diet for a variety of reasons, whether they be fed fresh and whole as tasty chews, or in microdoses ground up in their daily raw food.

1. Dental Health: Chewing on bones can help remove plaque and tartar buildup from a dog's teeth. The mechanical action of gnawing on bones can contribute to healthier gums and teeth by reducing the risk of dental issues.

2. Mental Stimulation: Chewing on bones provides mental stimulation for dogs. It engages their natural instincts to chew and tear, keeping them occupied, reducing boredom and providing them with beneficial mental decompression time.

3. Nutritional Value: Some bones contain nutrients and minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are important contributors towards a dog's overall good health, bone development, and maintaining strong teeth.

Safety: If you are going to feed bone to your dog, never give them cooked bones, feed them raw and fresh only. Cooked bones, especially those that are brittle (like chicken bones), can splinter and pose a serious choking hazard or cause internal damage if ingested. It's also important to be mindful of your dog's age and tooth health when considering the toughness of bones you feed, being mindful not to give bone that is higher density than that of your dog's teeth (ie. no weight bearing bones of large animals such as beef thigh).

If you're considering adding bones to your dog's diet, consult with your veterinarian first. They can recommend appropriate types and sizes of bones that are safe for your specific dog, as well as guide you on how to introduce bones into their diet.