The Truth on Raw
Meaty Bones
Raw, meaty bones are a recommended part of a balanced,
species appropriate diet. Raw, meaty bones are our dog and cat’s natural
toothbrushes. The action of tearing, crunching, and ripping off the meat cleans
their teeth and provides mental stimulation.
The type of bones and how they are fed depends on the size
of the animal and their chewing style. For example, a 5lb dog or cat would do
great with a chicken neck or back, but a turkey neck would be more than 10 days
worth of food. At the same time, an 80lb dog may try to swallow small food,
such as chicken backs and necks, whole. This would eliminate the chewing
benefit and could create a choking hazard.
Each month, we will feature a different protein source on
our blog. Protein rotation is an important part of a raw diet and we will
provide an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of each protein source.
Protein Feature:
Rabbit
Rabbit is an excellent high quality, lean protein option for
dogs and cats. For most of our household pets, rabbit would be one of their
primary sources of nutrition if they were allowed to hunt their own meals. Rabbit
meat is a great source for vitamin B-12 and B-3. Rabbit is also high in
selenium and will provide your pet with a good source of phosphorus.
Due to its limited availability and small size, rabbit is one of the more costly meats in a raw food diet. However, because of its cost, many pet food producers have not turned to rabbit, making it a great novel protein for pets suffering from allergies. While some owners choose rabbit to combat their pet’s food sensitivities, many choose it as a special treat and a way to add variety to their pet’s diet. Adding rabbit to your pet’s raw food diet will help ensure they get the most of their diet.
A breakdown of each
raw, meaty bone and its benefits:
Whole Rabbit
Whole rabbits are a great
option for pet owners looking to introduce variety. These rabbits are locally sourced from a family owned farm and provide a meaty chew for your pet. They weigh an average of 3.5lbs each,
but they have been portioned into 5-7 individually frozen pieces. The
bones are small and hollow, making whole rabbit suitable for dogs and cats of all sizes. Rabbit is full of joints, providing a great, natural source for glucosamine
and chondroitin. They also include the liver, heart, kidneys, and lungs to make them a complete and balanced meal.
Rabbit Feet
(dehydrated)
Dehydrated rabbit feet are another
inexpensive way to introduce variety into your pet’s diet. The fur puts some
dogs off, but it does provide fibre that mimics our pet’s ancestral diet. The
joints in a rabbit foot provide a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin. Cats
enjoy playing with the dehydrated rabbit feet and they are a more natural
alternative to fake mouse toys. Available individually, in sets of 3, your dog or cat is sure to enjoy these treats.
Rabbit Ears
(dehydrated)
Dehydrated rabbit ears are like
potato chips to dogs. They crunch them and before you know it, they are begging
for more. The fur does provide dietary fibre and they are a high value treat
for most dogs. Rabbit ears are the treat of choice for many sport dogs. Rabbit
ears are available individually or in sets of 4.
Side note: Feeding
rabbit does not alter natural prey drive. If your dog or cat gets along with
your pet bunny, feeding rabbit meat will not change their relationship. At the same time, we are sensitive to owners who choose not to feed rabbit to their pets. There are plenty of other options to offer variety.
NEVER COOK A RAW
BONE.
ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR
PET WHILE THEY ARE EATING.
