Recommended Raw Meaty Bones for Puppies

Puppies have a higher edible bone recommendation than adult dogs to ensure that the diet provides sufficient calcium and phosphorus for growth and development. There are several variables to consider when feeding a puppy a homemade diet. It is important to ensure that there is adequate amounts of essential nutrients to support optimal growth.

These variables are important to consider when formulating a balanced homemade diet for puppies. The amount of edible bone decreases once a puppy reaches adulthood. Supplements that provide only calcium can be used instead of bone meal for adult dogs because physical development is complete.

Edible Bone Ratio Guideline

Puppies have a higher calcium and phosphorus requirement than adult dogs. Therefore, the puppy PMR or BARF ratios have a higher edible bone percentage. The raw edible bone ratio guideline starts at 17% of the overall daily intake.

It is important to note that this ratio refers to the amount of bone alone, and does not include the meat on the bone. Since various raw meaty bones will differ in their bone content, some calculations will be required to know how much of each raw meaty bone to feed.

The amount of raw meaty bones a puppy may need to maintain firm and consistent stool will vary. The 17% edible bone ratio is a starting guideline. Many puppies do well on 15% to 20% raw edible bone content. Always adjust according to the puppy’s individual needs.

Size and Age Considerations

In order to gain essential calcium and phosphorus from raw meaty bones a puppy must be able to fully and safely consume the item. Edible raw meaty bones for puppies should be chosen based on the size and age of the puppy. Very young or small puppies may struggle to crush and consume certain raw meaty bones while jaw strength develops. Meaty bones that are larger and more dense can be fed once all puppy teeth have been replaced with adult teeth.

Calcium Content of Meaty Bones

The USDA Food Database provides nutritional data on the muscle meat, skin, and fat of raw meaty bones. It does not provide the nutritional data on the vitamin and mineral content found within the actual bones. The nutritional data on the mineral content of some raw meaty bones can be found in Monica Segal’s K9 Kitchen.

Dressed Quail

Quail is a small bird in the pheasant family that provides very small bones suitable for young and small breed puppies. Quail helps develop jaw strength in very young puppies because of the low bone content and because the bones are soft. All bones from quail can be fed to puppies in portion size pieces.

Nutritional Breakdown

The nutritional information available on quail reflects the entire bird without feathers, internal organs, head, feet, or bones. Individual parts from quail will have varying nutrients.

Cornish Hen

Raw cornish game hens are a smaller species of chicken which provide smaller bones suitable for young puppies. All bones from cornish hen can be fed to puppies in portion size pieces.

Nutritional Breakdown

The nutritional information available on cornish hen reflects the entire bird without feathers, internal organs, head, feet, or bones. Individual parts from cornish hen will have varying nutrients.

Raw Chicken Necks

Raw chicken necks are a great raw meaty bone option to use in raw diets for growing puppies. Skinless chicken necks provide a soft edible bone gentle enough for young puppies to crush and consume.

Nutritional Breakdown

The USDA provides nutritional information on chicken necks with and without the skin. While the USDA data does not include the nutrient content found in chicken neck bones, the nutritional data on the bone’s mineral content can be found in Monica Segal’s K9 Kitchen book.

Duck necks are another raw meaty bone that is comparable to raw chicken necks. Duck necks are also appropriate for young large breed puppies. The nutritional content will vary between these different raw meaty bones.

Raw Chicken Backs

Chicken backs provide soft bone that is suitable for grinding or being fed whole to dogs of all ages. Ground raw meaty bones can provide essential calcium and phosphorus to developing puppies when whole bones are not fed.

Nutritional Breakdown

The USDA provides nutritional information on whole chicken backs with and without the skin. While the USDA data does not include the nutrient content found in chicken back bones, the nutritional data on the bone’s mineral content can be found in Monica Segal’s K9 Kitchen book.

Ground Raw Meaty Bone Options

Ground bones are a suitable replacement for feeding whole bones. Ground raw meaty bones can provide essential calcium and phosphorus to developing puppies when whole bones are not fed. Additionally, ground bones can provide a wider variety of larger meaty bones such as turkey necks to very small and young puppies who would not physically be able to consume the intact bone. Ground meaty bones can be sourced from many online raw food suppliers or ground at home using a heavy duty meat grinder.

Bone Meal Supplement Alternatives

A supplement that provides both calcium and phosphorus is required if whole or ground raw meaty bones are not fed in a puppy’s homemade diet. Bone meal powder provides the essential calcium and phosphorus puppies need for optimal growth. The amount of calcium and phosphorus available in bone meal will depend on the individual brand – always review the label for the nutritional analysis. Some recommended bone meal options include:

It is important to select a bone meal supplement over a calcium only supplement for puppies. This is due to their higher need for phosphorus in addition to their higher need for calcium. Calcium carbonate supplements and egg shell powder will only provide calcium and nothing more. Therefore, these calcium sources are not an appropriate choice for puppies.