Spooky season is here! That means pumpkins, candy, and decorations which likely include a skeleton or two. But when it comes to your pet’s dietary needs, there’s nothing scary about bones. In fact, raw bones are a highly beneficial addition to dogs’ and cats’ diets, providing a high concentration of essential nutrients in a form that is easily absorbed and utilized by your furry friend’s body. Find out how bones are a natural fit for your pet’s diet in our latest Smackademic deep dive.
Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a veterinary surgeon and the founder of the biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet advocates for feeding pets raw bones alongside raw meat, fat, and organs, with some fruits and vegetables. This diet emulates what your pet’s ancestors ate and adapted to thousands of years ago. Because the basic physiology of dogs and cats has changed very little with domestication, emulating these natural diets continues to provide profound benefits today. Raw bones are a key part of meeting their nutritional needs in optimal proportions with easily absorbed nutrients from 100% natural sources.
Among these essential nutrients are calcium and phosphorus. Roughly two-thirds of bone is composed of these minerals. Calcium and phosphorus are both important in pets’ diets, and this is especially true for fast-growing large-breed dogs (1). We all know that calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth, but it also plays a vital role in nervous system function and blood clotting. Phosphorus is involved in more metabolic processes than any other mineral. These processes include the formation of bones, energy metabolism, and membrane integrity, just to name a few (2).
Even in considering the impact of these two minerals in isolation, bone is a nutritional powerhouse but the long list of benefits continues, particularly when we look at the high amounts of magnesium and potassium. These nutrients aid in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus while providing numerous benefits of their own. Magnesium regulates muscle contraction, helps reduce blood pressure, and supports insulin metabolism. Potassium, on the other hand, is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain homeostasis in your pet’s body (3).
The benefits don’t stop at the bones themselves. Raw bones also give your pet a healthy serving of nutrient-dense connective tissue and bone marrow. These provide protein, enzymes, and essential fatty acids that support proper growth and long-term joint health. Connective tissues are very high in collagen, supporting healthy skin, a shiny coat, and strong nails.
With all of that said, it’s easy to see that raw bones are a bone-a-fide superfood! That’s why all Smack Pet Food proteins are prepared whole, including organ meat and bones. Whether it’s our free-range meats or wild-caught fish, our proteins are ground into a fine consistency in the preparation process, providing all the benefits of raw bone in easy-to-eat crunchy bits that are ready to serve off the shelf.
1. Miller, M. E., Evans, H. E., & Christensen, G. C. (1979). Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. W.B. Saunders.
2. Barette, D. C. (1988). Calcium and Phosphorus for Cats and Dogs. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 29, 751–752.
3. Humphrey S, Kirby R, Rudloff E. (2015). Magnesium physiology and clinical therapy in veterinary critical care. Journal of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care, 25, 210-25.
