How to Choose the Best Recreational Bone for your Dog

Do you offer recreational bones to your dog(s)?  Have you been hesitant to because you're unsure of what bones would be best for your pup?

I got you covered! I aim to share with you tips for choosing the best bone options and how to do it safely!

Why Recreational Bones

There are a number of benefits to offering recreational bones to your dogs.

Chewing is a natural urge for your dogs.  You see this as they are puppies, gnawing at everything.  It provides them with mental stimulation during their day and a way to release energy.

The act of chewing releases endorphins, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.  This study explored how food based chews (enrichment) affected dogs emotional state when in social insolation from their humans.  They found that it reduced stress in the dogs they performed the study on compared to other interventions. 

The chewing action can activate saliva production which supports digestion.  For a lot of dogs, meals are inhaled rather than chewed.  Ending meal time in seconds.  Recreational bones reminds your dogs to slow down and experience their food, even if it is a small bit of meat from the bone.  Giving a bone prior to their main meal may slow down meal time as energy was already spent on the bone, they had a little meat to help curb hunger, and it reduces the urgent need to scarf down their food.  

Chewing can be a whole body effort - working their jaws, neck, and spine.  They get into different positions as they navigate their bones.  It's a great way to provide activity during their day, building and using their muscles in different ways.

Recreational bones can be used as a tool for dental health.  Removing plaque and tarter as they chew.

I do caution against using bones as the ONLY tool for dental health.  It should not replace regular check ups or brushing.  It's also important to note that there is such a thing as too many bones, causing too much wear and tear on the teeth.  

Edible Bones vs. Recreational Bones

There are two terms that you will hear in regards to bones for dogs: recreational and edible.

Edible bones are ones that are softer and easier to chew when offered in whole form.  They are used a source of calcium for those who prepare their own raw dog food diets.  Poultry bones are suitable edible bones for dogs of all sizes and should not be used as recreational bones.

DIY RAW FEEDERS: Check out this option for adding bone to your dog's meals!

Edible bones include: chicken feet, duck feet, turkey feet, chicken wing tips, chicken backs, beef windpipes, duck necks.  

Side note: chicken feet, duck feet, and windpipes are excellent sources of glucosamine and chondroitin both important in supporting your dogs joint health.  Click here for our Instagram post on the benefits of chicken feet!

Recreational bones are bones that offer your dog the opportunity to chew for a period of time.  These bones are not meant to be consumed like the edible bones. 

The two options for recreational bones are long bones or flat bones.  Long bones are typically the ones found in the legs or wings of animals.  These tend to be harder and have cartilage and marrow. 

Flat bones are ones ones found in ribs, pelvis, should or spine.  These tend to be softer (easier on the teeth) and don't include as much marrow.

When choosing a recreational bone for your dogs, there are two things to examine.  The size of your dog and the type of chewer they are. 

Dogs who are aggressive chewers should not be given Beef Marrow Bones as they are very hard and can fracture teeth.

Pork Dino Bones and Beef Neck Bones can be used recreationally for large dogs who are light chewers or as edible bones for those more experienced and aggressive chewers.

Here is an outline of appropriate recreational bones based on the size of your dog.   

Small Dogs

Appropriate recreational bones for small dogs are: 

• Pork Dino Bone
• Beef Dino Bone
• Beef Knuckle Bone
• Beef Marrow Bone*
• Beef Neck Bone
• Beef Rib Bone

Medium to Large Dogs

Appropriate recreational bones for medium dogs are: 

• Pork Dino Bone
• Beef Dino Bone
• Beef Knuckle Bone
• Beef Marrow Bone*
• Beef Neck Bone
• Beef Rib Bone

*Beef Marrow bones are very hard.  We recommend only feeding these to light chewers.  Dogs who aggressively chew can fracture their teeth with marrow bones. 

Safety Tips

1. Always supervise your dog(s) when giving them a bone.  Watch your dogs (especially those who are aggressive chewers) to ensure they are not digesting too much bone or cartilage.  Too much can accumulate in your dog's bowels causing obstruction.  
2. Offer raw bones only.  Cooked bones are brittle and break down, splinter easier.  Brittle bones can splinter and produce sharp pieces for dogs.  
3. Do not leave the bones out once they are done with them.  The bones will get brittle the longer they are left out.  
4. I personally do not recommend offering bones every day, multiple times a day.  There is such a thing as too many bones causing too much wear and tear on teeth.  Offer bones 2-4 times a week.  
5. Senior dogs or dogs with poor dental health will have weaker teeth.  You may want to refrain from bones (or decrease how many they get) if your pup is older or have had breakage in the past.  

Signs of blockage in dogs: 

• Bloating
• Hunched over posture
• Your dog is attempting to defecate or vomit but are unsuccessful

Tips

The meat and marrow content can be rich for some dogs. You might find that your dog has some loose stool when first introduced to bones.  Over time this should subside as they get used to it.  

White, chalky stool means your pup is getting too much bone or calcium supplementation in their diet.  If you are finding your dog's poop is consistently white and chalky this can cause constipation and possible blockage.  

Make sure your pup is getting plenty of liquids and fiber in their diet and assess your dog's bone intake, adjusting if needed.  Adult dogs require about 10% of bone intake per day. 

Sources of fiber can include: broccoli, broccoli sprouts, Berries, Kelp, Shiitake Mushrooms, kale, spinach, apples, carrots, green beans, pumpkin.

SHOP: Four Leaf Rover Fiber Boost Bundle

READ: What Your Dog's Poop is Telling You

_______________________________________________________________________________

Thanks so much for taking the time to explore our blog!  We hope you find it useful.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or email us!  We are here to support you throughout your raw feeding journey!

Amanda Monsma (she/her)

info@granddog.ca

877-494-0682

Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is for informational and/or educational purposes only and based on our experience and those shared by our clients. These statements have not been evaluated by a veterinarian. This website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for any medical treatment. Please seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian for your dog’s specific health concerns.