Q: Is feeding raw bones safe?
A: Bones can be safe when appropriate choices are made based on the size of your pet, the type of bone, and the style of chewer that they are, but feeding bones, like many other foods, can present some risks. We must be aware of the potential risks as well as our pet’s abilities in order to feed them safely.
Q: Can my pet break their teeth on bones?
A: Fractured teeth and worn teeth are considered a risk when allowing a pet to chew on almost anything. With bones these risks can be mitigated and pretty much eliminated via proper bone selection for your individual pet’s size and chewing style. However, dental injuries can always happen, so be sure to always supervise your pet closely when they are chewing or consuming bones and take them away if any concerns arise. It is also good practice to inspect your pets’ teeth and mouth often and especially before and after offering bones, so that you can recognize any concerns and address them before they become an health or medical issue.
Q: How often can I give my pet a bone?
A: Each pet is different. In general bones can be fed 1-2 times per week for adult pets and 3-4 times per week for puppies and kittens. If your pet experiences very firm, hard, chalky stool or straining to poop or becomes constipated, cut back on how many bones you are feeding, this means they do not need that much bone in their diet, or they are less tolerant of bones.
Q: Can I feed frozen bones?
A: It is generally not recommended to feed bones frozen as this can increase risks of choking, and tooth fractures in some pets. Very gentle chewers may be an exception to this, as the bone will slowly defrost to a safer state as they chew. Our Sardines and Salmon Heads are naturally softer bones, and may be enjoyed in a semi- frozen state for most pets. Know your pets' chewing style and observe them closely when offering any bone, frozen or not.
Q: Can I feed raw bones to my kibble-fed pet?
A: Anytime you add something new to your pet’s diet it is a good idea to check with your vet to be sure it is ok for your individual pet, just in case there is a medical reason not to do so. The great news is that many kibble-fed pets can enjoy raw bones! You may notice a significant change in the firmness, texture and colour of your pet’s poop after having a bone, and this is totally normal, and can actually be beneficial (e.g. promotes natural expression of anal glands)! Just be sure they are not showing signs of constipation, and back off on the amount/size of bone if they are. Your pet may also experience some softer stool as well, this is also ok, as long as we are not seeing diarrhea persist, and they are otherwise normal. Kibble fed pets do have a different microbiome composition than raw fed pets, so they might experience more notable differences in digestion when feeding raw bones compared to raw fed pets.
