We’ve all heard the term ‘give a dog a bone’. Dogs seem very content with a bone but we may ask ourselves, is this safe for them? Animal bones are often fed to dogs as a chew or as part of a raw diet. Bones, especially when cooked, may splinter and cause injury and stomach blockages when fed to your dog.
Feeding bones and raw diets to dogs has increased in popularity over the last couple of years, as many owners seek to recreate a natural diet that their wolf ancestor once ate. However, the digestive physiology of dogs has changed considerably since their domestication from the wolf and thus a raw diet is not always best and in some circumstances, may be harmful to your dog. There are no scientific studies to support the idea that raw feeding is better than traditional dog food.
Dogs are omnivores, meaning that they derive nutrition from both animal and plant sources.
Therefore, dogs can digest and gain nutrition from grains, along with protein, as found in many traditional kibble diets. Not all foods are created equal, be it traditional or raw, and not all dogs suit one particular food. Some dogs appear to do well on a raw diet, however, this is also the case for most dogs that are fed traditional diets. When deciding which diet to feed your dog, it is important to be aware of all the risks and benefits of feeding a particular diet to your best friend. Speak to your vet for advice on which diet may be best for your dog and how to feed it safely.
What is traditional dog food?
Traditional dog foods are heat-treated diets formulated specifically to suit the nutritional needs of your dog. They come as either wet or dry versions and can be formulated for different life stages and medical conditions. Wet versions contain a higher water content compared to dry food. Dry foods are often compacted into shaped pellets known as kibbles.
What is raw food?
A raw diet is made up of raw meat, offal and raw bone. The diet may also include other ingredients such as vegetables. Raw food is not heat treated. It is available in either frozen or freeze-dried forms and may be commercially produced or home-prepared.
What is the difference between complete and complementary dog food?
A complete diet delivers all the essential nutrients in the amounts and proportions a dog needs and can be fed alone. Complementary diets, however, do not contain all the nutrients required and are designed to be fed alongside other dog foods that are complete. Traditional and raw dog foods can either be complete or complementary; your dog’s pet food label will detail this.
What are the risks and benefits of bones or raw food?
More research is needed to establish the benefits of a raw food diet, however, many manufacturers of raw food and owners of dogs consuming raw food report the following:
- Cleaner teeth
- Firmer smaller stools
- Enrichment – more chewing which makes a happier pet
- A glossy coat
The known risks of feeding raw food or bones (cooked or raw) to dogs include:
- Oesophageal foreign bodies – fragments of bones may become lodged in the food pipe which could lead to a life-threatening situation
- Nutritional deficiencies – home-made diets may not contain all the nutrients a dog may need which could lead to growth abnormalities
- Infections – there is a higher risk of bacterial and parasitic infections in dogs and their owners, such as salmonella and campylobacter, with raw food. This is because the food is not cooked. Strict hygiene measures are required – the risk of infection from a raw diet is much higher than a cooked one.
- Bone splintering – when bones are chewed, they may splinter and this could injure your dog’s mouth or gastrointestinal tract as the bones are passed through. Cooked bones are more brittle and likely to splinter
- Broken teeth – from chewing on tough bones
- Obstructions – large quantities of hard bone material, which are not easily digested, may lead to a blockage within the gastrointestinal tract
- Constipation
I want to feed my dog a raw diet, what can I do to reduce the risk?
The correct nutrition is imperative to the maintenance of the health of your dog. It is therefore important to feed a diet that is both nutritionally complete and balanced, whilst also being safe. Responsible raw feeding involves ensuring good hygiene and handling practice when feeding fresh, frozen or freeze-dried raw food:
- Purchase products that are in good condition. Product packaging should have no visible signs of damage
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling your pet and their food
- Wash and disinfect all surfaces and utensils after handling raw food
- Remove any left-over food and disinfect your pet’s feeding area as soon as they have finished eating
Zoonotic infections, a disease which can spread from dogs to humans can be a serious problem with raw feeding, especially to those who may have weaker immune systems. The following groups of people need to take particular care around raw food:
- Children
- The elderly
- Pregnant women
- Immunocompromised individuals – for example people who may have cancer or are having chemotherapy treatment
It is important to consider whether feeding a raw diet is safe if sharing a household with higher-risk individuals. Some producers of raw food diets are members of the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PMFA) which must adhere to strict guidelines such as screening their food for salmonella.
Summary
Nutrition is essential in the maintenance of your dog’s health and therefore it is vital to feed a diet which is nutritionally complete, balanced and safe for both pet and owner. Feeding natural animal bones to dogs has well-documented risks to be aware of. Before you consider any new diet or change to your dog’s food, it is important to consider the risks and to discuss these with your vet who can advise you further.
You may also be interested in;
- Should I throw sticks for my dog?
- Raw food can be good for some pets, but owners should be aware of potential health issues
- Raw meat and bones diets for dogs: are they fab or are they a fad?
- Vet Panel: Dogs and puppies with diarrhoea
- Are acorns poisonous to dogs?
References;
Discussion
For a full enquiry into the pros and cons of raw and kibble I would suggest reading Dr Conor Brady’s new book: Feeding Dogs – the science behind the dry vs raw debate. The article above is biased and misrepresents the current available data, as do the replies to these comments.
The article is about one specific issue, the (genuine and well documented) potential complications of bone ingestion. We don’t have any editorial stance for or against raw feeding, and I think that Rachel’s article was quite specific. Personally, I don’t have any problem with raw feeding as I’ve said in the comments.
However, we’d love to publish a counter-argument if you’re interested, please do get in touch!
It is very strange that you say a dog is a omnivoro not a carnivoro. It is as well strange that you say traditional dog food is kibble knowing that kibble has not been given more than 70 years to dogs. And it is as well strange that you say their fisiical body funcion has changed while the only thing that has changed is the breed options on the market. Are you sure you did your resurch well and if so coul you anex the sorce to follow up on what you are publishing? Thank you
The sources are the published scientific papers at the bottom – take a look!
Hmmm I would like to think it is okay to feed your dog raw meat. Raw meat contains a lot of nutrients that the animal eats. Kibbles main ingredient may say chicken, lamb, beef, or salmon, so I believe when it’s given to them raw it is more protein and nutritional. A multivitamin and other supplements can be given along with raw meat. I am not against kibbles. I believe it is good to give your dog both raw and kibble and also I believe more raw is better. The downside to raw is that it is more costly. While a dog may be domesticated doesn’t changes the make up of the body function. Wild canines do well with eating raw meat it is who they are. Guess what? Humans also eat raw meat some more than others. Just do what is best for your dog, and give them proper care alongside with your local veterinarian.
Dogs aren’t wolves any more – their digestive tracts have evolved and changed. However, you’re right that raw can be nutritious, if properly balanced. The biggest issues are the foreign body problem (bones etc) and the risk of infectious disease, which is far more common in raw diets than cooked ones.