When it comes to feeding your pet, a common question arises: can pets safely have bones in their meals? While bones can be a fantastic source of natural nutrition, not all are created equal. Feeding the wrong type of bone can pose health risks for your pet. At BOM BOM, we go the extra mile to select bones that meet strict criteria—such as bone density, moisture content, and pliability—ensuring they are both safe and nutritious. Here is a closer look at the criteria we follow to determine the best bones for your pets.

1. RAW: Choose Raw Bones

One of the most important rules when it comes to feeding bones to your pets is to always provide raw bones. Cooking or dehydrating bones can make them brittle and dangerous. When bones are cooked or dried, they lose their pliability, becoming sharp and prone to splintering. These sharp edges can easily cause injuries to your pet’s digestive tract.

In contrast, raw bones are much safer for chewing. The natural moisture and pliability of raw bones allow them to break down in a way that does not create sharp fragments. At BOM BOM, we ensure that all bones in our products are raw and safe for digestion. Even microwaving food with bone content is not advisable, as it can dry out the bones inside, even if the meat appears uncooked.

2. EDIBLE: Choose the Right Type of Bone

Not all bones are appropriate for pets. The best bones for pets are those that are edible — meaning they can be safely chewed and digested. We avoid bones that are too dense, such as weight-bearing bones (like leg bones), or those from large animals like cows, lambs, or large poultry. These bones can be too tough for pets to crunch or digest properly.

Bones that are dense with fatty marrow (such as shank bones) are also problematic. While marrow is a nutritious part of the bone, it is too dense and hard for pets to break down. Additionally, bones with sharp edges or awkward shapes, such as those from a chicken carcass, can cause harm if ingested.

The ideal bones are smaller, non-weight-bearing bones that are easy to chew and break down, such as those found in poultry or small animal carcasses. These are much easier for your pet to digest safely.

3. MEATY: A Cushion for Teeth and Digestive Tract

Edible bones should always be covered in meat. This not only enhances the nutritional value of the bone but also provides a cushion for your pet’s teeth and digestive tract. The meat around the bone ensures that chewing the bone is a safe and gentle for your pet.

Once the bone enters the stomach, the acidic digestive juices work to break the bone down into small, crumb-like particles. This process makes the calcium and trace minerals from the bone bioavailable, allowing your pet to absorb them easily.

4. SIZING: Choose the Right Size for Your Pet

The size of the bone matters significantly when it comes to your pet’s safety and enjoyment. It is essential to consider your pet’s size, breed, and chewing habits when selecting bones. The bone must be appropriately sized for your pet to chew on without risk of choking or injury. A bone that is too large for a smaller pet could cause them to struggle or lose interest, while a bone that is too small for a larger pet could lead to accidental swallowing or choking. Smaller and medium-sized pets are best suited to smaller bones, like poultry bones, while larger pets can handle larger bones such as pork bones.

BOM BOM’s Ground Bone Paste: A Safe Alternative for Pets Unable to Take Whole Bones or Pets on a Sous Vide Meal Plan

Not every pet can safely chew whole bones. For pets that struggle with chewing whole bones, lack teeth, have sensitive digestion or gut issues such as IBD, or for brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds or pets that tend to gulp their food, BOM BOM ground bone paste is a more suitable option. BOM BOM’s ground bone paste is carefully processed in several stages to ensure it is safe for pets to consume and digest. It provides all the nutritional benefits of whole bones, without the risk of choking, and is easier on digestion.

For pets on sous vide meal plan, inclusion of ground bone paste is safe. The bone paste remains highly digestible and rubbery due to the cooking process of Sous Vide ensures that the ground bone matrix maintains its nutritional integrity and does not become sharp or brittle.

In conclusion, edible bones are essential for providing a natural source of calcium and trace minerals that support your pet’s overall well-being. They also help firm up stools by providing the necessary bulk and regulating bowel movements. Excluding edible bones can potentially lead to softer and less frequent stools. Unless your pet has advanced CKD and requires phosphorus restriction, we recommend including edible bones in their diet. Raw, edible, meaty bones that are appropriately sized for your pet are safe and beneficial for pets on Natural meal plan, while ground bone paste offers an alternative for pets that cannot consume whole bones or are on a Sous Vide meal plan.

If you have any questions or need guidance on selecting the right bones for your pet’s meals or as raw chews, do not hesitate to contact BOM BOM Support. We are here to help you make the best choices for your pet’s health and happiness.