For new puppy parents, the question of whether raw bones are safe for their furry companions is often a source of confusion and debate. Online, conflicting advice abounds, leaving many wondering about the best course of action to safeguard their puppy’s health. To cut through the noise and provide clarity, we consulted with veterinary expert Dr. Nick Thompson, seeking his professional opinion on feeding bones to dogs. Understanding what raw bones puppies can eat is crucial for their well-being and development, and this guide will delve into the expert recommendations. Additionally, it’s vital to know what food cannot be given to dogs to prevent any health issues.
The Case for Raw Bones: Insights from Dr. Ian Billinghurst
The discussion around raw feeding for dogs gained significant traction with Dr. Ian Billinghurst’s influential 1998 book, “Grow Your Pup with Bones.” Over the past two and a half decades, his recommendations have only grown in relevance, especially as we uncover increasing health problems associated with feeding puppies ultra-processed dry kibble and canned foods. Dr. Billinghurst, an Australian pioneer of raw feeding, observed a stark contrast in dog health: more diverse diseases in urban dogs compared to their rural counterparts in the outback. He correctly attributed this difference primarily to the artificial diets fed to city dogs.
His pivotal conclusion was that bones, when integrated with fresh, natural, and species-appropriate food, are fundamental to the healthy development of young dogs. These principles highlight a holistic approach to canine nutrition, emphasizing the benefits of a diet aligned with a dog’s natural biological needs. For those curious about expanding their dog’s diet safely, learning what human food dogs can eat can provide additional options, always keeping safety in mind.
When and How to Introduce Raw Bones to Your Puppy
Introducing raw bones to your puppy can begin surprisingly early. According to veterinary advice, puppies can start enjoying raw bones as soon as their first teeth emerge, typically within the first 2-4 weeks of life. It is absolutely crucial to remember: never feed any dog cooked bones, ever. Cooked bones can splinter and pose significant health risks.
When starting out, focus on large, soft, and easily chewable raw items. Excellent choices include chicken wings, as well as the carcasses and necks of duck, chicken, or turkey. Initially, puppies may only mouth these items, but even this preliminary interaction is highly beneficial. Beyond the probiotic effect these foods offer, mouthing helps pups develop essential mouth-eye coordination and learn how to use their mouths effectively. This early chewing experience lays the groundwork for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable bone chewing, as pups quickly learn how effortless and gratifying chomping on bones can be.
A cute Golden Retriever puppy gently chewing on a raw bone
Unpacking the Nutritional and Developmental Benefits of Raw Bones
The benefits of feeding puppies raw wings, necks, and carcasses are extensive and multifaceted. Firstly, and of paramount importance, is the exposure to natural, non-synthetic minerals. Puppies receive essential elements like calcium, magnesium, and iodine from these authentic food sources. In contrast, puppies fed solely on kibble biscuits and tinned food typically obtain these minerals as artificial food additives, which often have poor bioavailability compared to their natural counterparts. Considering that young dogs mature in a mere 1-3 years—a process that takes humans 16-20 years—it becomes evident why providing the most readily available and beneficial minerals is crucial for their rapid development.
Secondly, the pieces of bone act as pre-biotics within the gut. This means they nourish the beneficial bacteria, fostering a healthy microbiome, promoting efficient digestion, and leading to well-formed, easy-to-pick-up stools. This function is similar to how omnivores utilize vegetable fiber for the same purpose, underscoring the natural digestive support raw bones provide. For a comprehensive understanding of proper canine nutrition, it’s worth exploring what human food dogs should not eat to ensure a balanced diet.
Finally, the exercise, entertainment, and educational value derived from raw bones cannot be overstated. Engaging with carcasses and necks stimulates and strengthens the puppy’s head, neck, and jaw muscles, contributing significantly to their musculoskeletal development. The act of gnawing and ripping at chewy bones also teaches pups vital skills for handling bones safely in their later adult life. Furthermore, within a litter, the presence of food items that cannot be immediately consumed facilitates the exchange of hierarchy and social skills among pups and from the mother dog. These early lessons, learned during the first eight to ten weeks, are invaluable, shaping the pup’s social interactions with both their own kind and humans for years to come.
A happy puppy chewing on a raw bone, with the text 'What age can I give my puppy a bone'
Selecting the Right Raw Bones for Teething Puppies and Older Pups
While the first few months of raw feeding are relatively straightforward, adapting the type of bones as your puppy grows is key. Softer carcasses and necks remain excellent chewing material for older puppies. However, once adult teeth begin to emerge, typically around six months of age, more rigid bones can be introduced. Suitable options at this stage include ribs, brisket, chicken thighs, and even skull and jaw bones. These provide a more substantial chewing challenge and further support dental health.
It’s important to exercise caution with certain bone types. Harder cattle bones, such as marrow and knuckle bones, are best reserved for experienced adult dogs who have learned how to safely handle these more brittle items. For puppies and younger adult dogs, bones from chicken, rabbit, lamb, and goat are generally less brittle and usually fine to offer. Understanding the variety of what type of bones dogs can have is essential for safe and beneficial chewing experiences.
Practical Tips for Feeding Raw Bones Safely
Feeding bones to puppies might seem intuitive, but a few expert tips can enhance safety and maximize benefits. One excellent strategy for teething puppies is to offer frozen raw bones. The cold temperature can be incredibly soothing for their sore gums. Some dogs even show a preference for cold bones over room-temperature ones.
Addressing resource guarding, where a dog becomes possessive over a high-value food item like a bone, is also crucial. If you notice your puppy guarding bones, try giving them their bone approximately half an hour before their regular meal. When you subsequently put down their food, the puppy will likely be distracted by the new offering, allowing you to safely remove the bone if needed. If guarding issues persist, it’s highly recommended to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to address the problem quickly and effectively. Furthermore, consistently providing bones daily and leaving them in various locations around the house can help reduce the perceived value of any single bone. This reassures the young dog that bones are not scarce, thereby minimizing the need for possessive or growly behavior. In cases where a dog has stopped eating, knowing what to feed a dog that’s not eating becomes an important consideration to stimulate their appetite.
Addressing Concerns: Raw Bones and Choking Hazards
A common concern among pet owners is the risk of bones getting stuck in a puppy’s gut or causing choking. However, extensive research suggests that raw bones, when fed appropriately, may not be the primary culprit in such incidents. A comprehensive 2013 review by Freeman et al. in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association cited four papers that discussed esophageal and gastric foreign bodies in a total of 196 dogs and 33 cats. While these papers stated that “Bone foreign bodies were present in 30-80%” of the cases, a word search across all four revealed no mention of the word “raw,” suggesting the problem likely stems from cooked bones, which are known to splinter dangerously.
Further supporting this, a 2009 study by Hayes et al. examining items retrieved from the intestines of 208 dogs noted a significantly higher incidence of latex teats, plastic/rubber objects, string, rope, stones, and balls compared to bone pieces. Only three pieces of bone were found, and again, the authors did not specify if these were cooked or raw.
Based on these statistics and other findings, the consensus among many experts, including Dr. Thompson, is that the benefits of carefully feeding raw bones to puppies from a young age are both safe and necessary. In fact, neglecting to feed bones can have severe consequences for dental health. Without the natural cleaning action and stimulation provided by raw bones, there’s an alarming 80% chance of a puppy developing gum disease (periodontitis) by the tender age of two years. The standard treatment for periodontal disease often involves antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical intervention. The thought of a two-year-old puppy requiring surgery for a preventable dental condition is shocking, yet it is a common reality for those fed exclusively on kibble and canned meats.
Conclusion
Mother Nature has been guiding the healthy development of canines with bones for over 45 million years. Dr. Ian Billinghurst, through his work in 1998, effectively demonstrated how safe, simple, and essential raw bones are for ensuring the health and happiness of young dogs. By providing puppies with appropriate raw bones, owners can contribute significantly to their nutritional well-being, dental health, physical development, and even their social skills. Always prioritize raw, never cooked, and when in doubt, consult with a trusted veterinarian to tailor a diet that best supports your puppy’s growth and vitality.
References:
- Billinghurst, I. (1998). Grow Your Pup with Bones.
- Freeman, L. M., Chandler, M. L., Hamper, B. A., & Weeth, L. P. (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(11), 1549-1558.
- Hayes, G. M., et al. (2009). Study of items retrieved from the intestines of 208 dogs. (Reference implicitly cited in the text by Freeman et al., 2013).
