Bones & cartilage

Bones & cartilage

Bones & Cartilage for Dogs – A Natural Source of Calcium for the BARF Diet

Bones are an essential component of a balanced BARF diet and serve as the main source of calcium and other important minerals. Especially beef bones for dogs are a popular choice, as they not only provide valuable nutrients but also offer natural activity and chewing pleasure. When barfing, it is important to buy only raw, fresh bones for dogs, since cooked bones can become brittle and splinter, potentially causing injuries to the digestive tract.

The Right Mix: Soft and Hard Bones

To ensure your dog is optimally supplied, bones should make up to 15% of the animal portion in the BARF meal. It’s important to distinguish between soft and hard bones. Soft bones such as poultry necks, carcasses, or rabbit bones are ideal for BARF beginners and puppies. Hard bones, including beef bones for dogs, veal brisket, or horse neck bones, are suitable for experienced barfers and provide extra exercise for the chewing muscles. If your dog cannot tolerate hard bones, the proportion of soft bones can be increased to 20%. Generally, healthy adult dogs receive a mix of hard and soft bones in their BARF meals.

How to Feed Bones Safely

Especially for dogs that tend to gulp, it’s best to start with large bones to encourage thorough chewing. Alternatively, ground bones are a good option to ensure safe calcium intake. To protect the stomach, bones should always be surrounded by enough meat.

To aid digestion, it’s best to divide your dog’s weekly bone portion over several days. If your dog reacts sensitively to bones or tends to develop hard stool, natural digestive aids such as psyllium husks can be helpful. In such cases, feeding bone meal is also a suitable alternative.

With the right selection of fresh bones for dogs, you ensure not only optimal nutrient supply but also species-appropriate activity and dental care. In our online shop, you’ll find a wide variety of both ground and chunky bones from beef and poultry. There’s something suitable for every dog!

Caution with Marrow Bones

Bones that are too hard, especially weight-bearing bones from large animals such as cattle, horses, or sheep, are unsuitable for feeding as they can damage the teeth. They should only be gnawed on but not eaten entirely. Pork bones should also be avoided, as they can transmit the Aujeszky virus.

With marrow bones for dogs, extra caution is needed. They can sometimes slip over the dog’s jaw if the hole containing the marrow is too large. In such cases, the bone often needs to be surgically removed, as it cannot easily be pulled off again. Always feed marrow bones under supervision – or simply remove the valuable marrow and feed it separately.

Healthy bones for BARF – discover our wide range of raw beef & poultry bones for your dog