Bone-Appetite: Which Raw Meaty Bone Is Right For Your Pet?

July 25, 2019

Raw food isn’t just for meal time; raw bones are a great addition to your pet’s diet. Raw bones are full of protein and nutrients and are a great way to help keep your pet’s pearly whites in tip-top shape. Not only do Raw Meaty Bones help clean your pet’s teeth and improve oral health, they also provide mental stimulation and let them embrace their natural desire to chew!

How Do I Choose the Right Bone for my Pet?

Iron Will Raw’s Raw Meaty Bones come in a variety of sizes and protein options for dogs and cats of all sizes and chew levels. When you’re deciding which Raw Meaty Bone to give your pet, we suggest choosing a size larger than you think they need. When it comes to Raw Meaty Bones, bigger IS better! If the bone is too small, your pet can swallow it without chewing or it can become stuck on their lower jaw. We recommend starting with a large neck bone when introducing Raw Meaty Bones to your pet. Duck necks, turkey necks or beef necks are all good options to start. These types of bones allow you to hold onto the end of the bone with a gloved hand while you watch and learn how your pet chews. When introducing Raw Meaty Bones, we suggest limiting chewing time to 5-10 minutes and then putting the bone back in the fridge until the next day. The bone will last a maximum of 3 days in the fridge once thawed (that is if your pet doesn’t get through it first!).

Meal Replacement vs. Recreational

There are two general classifications of Raw Meaty Bones to choose from: meal replacement bones and recreational bones. Just like it sounds, meal replacement bones can be given to your pet at meal time or instead of a meal and are intended to be fully consumed. These bones are non-weight bearing and crumble as your pet chews. Recreational bones (marrow bones, knuckle bones or beef tendons) are a great treat for your pet and help improve their oral health as they chew! They are ideal to keep your pet busy chewing longer. 

Which raw bone is right for your pet? Our handy chart will help you pick safe Raw Meaty Bone options for your furry friend:

How Often Should I Feed Bones?

We generally recommend giving your pet Raw Meaty Bones no more than 2-3 times a week. You may notice after feeding a Raw Meaty Bone that your pet will have crumbly stool – very light or even white. Some pets may also experience loose stool after eating marrow bones for the first time. Bone Marrow can be quite rich and may cause a bit of tummy upset when initially fed.

Here are a few more Raw Meaty Bone tips from the Iron Will Raw team:

• Give your pet raw bones outside or on easily cleanable surfaces. Avoid letting your pet chew bones on carpet, furniture, or allowing them to drag the bone around your home.
• Always supervise your pet when feeding raw bones, especially when introducing new ones into the mix.
• Give your pet space or separate them from other household pets when they’re enjoying a Raw Meaty Bone. It’s important that your pet does not feel threatened when eating as they may try to ‘gulp’ the bone or eat it too quickly.
• If you’re not comfortable feeding raw bones, no problem – you can make bone broth! To make bone broth, simmer raw bones on low heat for a minimum of 12 hours (any Iron Will Raw Raw Meaty Bones will do). After the broth has cooled, remove the bones and use the broth as a nutrient-dense boost to your pet’s daily meals. You can also freeze bone broth in ice cube trays and give it as a healthy cool treat on hot summer days!
• NEVER feed your pet cooked bones! Cooked bones become fragile and break more easily than raw bones. This can result in splinters getting stuck in your pet’s mouth, throat, or digestive tract.

Ready to give your pet a Raw Meaty Bone? Find your local Iron Will Raw retailer. If you have any questions about Raw Meaty Bones, ask our experts on Facebook, Instagram, or email.

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