Is Bone Marrow good for dogs?

Dogs love to eat chicken and meaty eatables so we commonly assume that bone marrow is also good for them. Here we will explore the nutritious value of bone marrow and its suitability for dogs. Also, we will list its potential benefits, health risks and feeding tips for dogs.

1. Nutritional Value of Bone marrow

Bone marrow contains many essential nutrients that are the important need of our body systems. Like humans, dogs also require essential nutrients in their diet to maintain their body functions. Bone marrow contains certain vitamins and minerals i.e.,

• Fat
• Protein
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Omega-3 and
• Omega-6 fatty acids

All these diet essentials are necessary in one way or the other, it is a nutrient-dense snack, actually. Gelatin in bones improve the function of digestive system. Omega fatty acids improve skin barrier and so improves skin health. Bone marrow is a very effective meal portion that strengthens almost all body joins. Dogs love to chew bones and so like to eat bone marrow in it too. No doubt it has countless health benefits for dogs.

2. Risk & Concerns of feeding Bone marrow

Bone marrow contains high proportion of fat so it can be risky and unsuitable for obese dogs. It can boost weight gain and resultantly become a cause of many serious diseases in dogs.

Also bones if not chewed properly, can choke your dog that can result in a lethal condition. So, bone and bone marrow should be given under proper supervision to avoid any mishap.

There is a risk of pancreatitis, particularly in dogs with a history of this condition. So, a bone marrow nutrients can be good for dogs only if it is given in moderation.

Raw Bones are hard and are not easy to chew so it can cause tooth fracture in dogs with weak teeth.

Although dogs are immune to bacteria that is present in flesh and bones but the dogs that are immune-compromised Salmonella can be dangerous.

💡Dogs with specific health conditions, such as pancreatitis or obesity, should avoid bone marrow.

Research reference for nerds: Bone marrow fat tissue secretes hormone that helps body stay healthy

3. Raw vs. Cooked Bone Marrow: Which is Better?

Dog’s body and digestive system is designed to eat and easily digest flesh and bones. So, at first you should give them raw bone marrow not the cooked one. Also Raw bone marrow has low risk of splintering so keep the digestive system normal.

However, cooked bone marrow is not recommended to feed to a dog as it can easily brittle and splinter so can cause serious gut issues.

4. Safe Feeding Tips for Bone Marrow

Here are some safe feeding tips of bone marrow by following these you can avoid any serious outcomes.

Controlled Portion

As Bone-marrow contains high fat content in it and can cause health issues in obese dogs so a limited meal portion is good and safe to feed. It might be a tasteful treat for your dog but manage to give him occasionally.

Supervision

Keep your dog under observation while feeding him bone marrow. There are certain conditions that might occur like

• chocking
• Vomiting
• Tooth fracture

Proper Storage

Proper storage of bones and handling them carefully is an important part of the process. Ignorance or lack of proper storage may contaminate the bones with bacteria or fungus. Microbial contamination makes the bones poisonous for dogs that is extremely harmful. Recommended method is to use the bones fresh otherwise preserve them properly.

5. How to Tell If Your Dog is Reacting Well or Poorly to Bone Marrow

Take notice of your dogs reaction while eating bone marrow. His expressions will tell you if he is enjoying eating bone marrow or not.

Signs of Positive reaction

If the dog is eating bone marrow with interest and lick it again and again then it is positive sign. Also if his skin coat improves, energy level boosts and shows excitement it means he enjoys eating it.

Signs of Negative reaction

If the dog shows signs like vomiting, lethargy and do not show interest towards eating it then you should avoid giving him bone marrow again. In some cases bone marrow disturbs the digestive system of dogs that is a major indication that bone marrow does not suit your dog.

6. Veterinary Advice and Recommendations

There are a hundred of different breeds of dogs and every breed has its own particulars. Not every diet is for all the breeds so, a veterinary advice is always recommended to avoid any accidents with pet nutrition.

Vets will evaluate what meal portion of bone marrow is good for your dog according to Bone characteristics. And post feeding check-ups will ensure the positive or negative effects of bone marrow on his body.

Moreover a vet can suggest you which types of bones are good for your dog and can be safely consumed. As not all type of bones are edible for dogs.

7. Alternative Feeding Options

Dogs love to eat flesh and chew bones. They love to lick it for longer times so it is a treat for them. Besides marrow bones (if doesn’t suits your dog) there are a number of canine treat options for you.

You can find a number of natural and market marrow supplements that are approved and nutritious for your dog buddy.

Also Read: What else can dogs drink besides water?

Let me tag here some of the safe options;

1. Natural Freeze-Dried Meat Treats

Why: Freeze-dried treats made from single-source proteins like beef, chicken, or lamb retain most of their natural nutrients and taste without needing preservatives. These are high in protein and can be a great alternative to bone marrow for a tasty treat.

Examples: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties, Orijen Freeze-Dried Treats.

2. Bone Broth for Dogs

Why: Bone broth provides collagen and amino acids that support joint health, skin, and digestion, much like bone marrow. It’s also gentler on the digestive system and can be poured over regular food as a nutritious topping.

Examples: Brutus Bone Broth, The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth.

3. Dog-Friendly Antler Chews

Why: Antlers are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and protein, making them an excellent and safe chew option that promotes dental health. They’re long-lasting and satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew without the fat content of marrow.

Examples: Buck Bone Organics Elk Antler, Devil Dog Pet Co Elk Antler Chews.

4. Collagen-Based Chews

Why: Collagen chews are great for joint support, skin health, and dental care. They provide the same protein-rich satisfaction of a bone marrow chew without the risks associated with hard bones.

Examples: Barkworthies Collagen Sticks, Native Pet Yak Chews.

5. Vegetable-Based Chews and Dental Treats

Why: If you’re seeking a low-fat, nutritious option, veggie-based chews often contain fiber, are great for dental health, and offer an alternative for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Sweet potato chews or other vegetable-based treats are a tasty, low-calorie alternative.

Examples: Whimzees Dental Chews, Sweet Pota-to Dog Chews.

Final Words

After a lot of research and experience with my own dogs I conclude that bone marrow is enriched with a lot of high value ingredients that are a great treat for dogs. However, there shows up some incidents when bone marrow was seen toxic to certain health concerns in dogs. So, besides its nutritional value you should take recommendation from the vet clinic either it suits your dog breed or not.

Frequently Asked Questions| FAQs:

1. Is Bone marrow safe for dogs to eat?

Generally, bone marrow is Safe dog treat in terms of its essential vitamins and minerals that it provides to the body. So, it is safe to feed bone marrow to the dogs but, if your dog is suffering from obesity or pancreatitis or he a senior dog then it should be avoided.

2. How to prepare marrow bones for dogs?

Beef bones are typically used to feed the dogs, first step is to choose the right bone. Secondly, boil it for around 10 hours or roast it properly. Purpose of cooking is to soften it not to splinter it. Give it to him under observation.

3. Are frozen marrow bones safe for dogs?

Frozen bone marrows can be given to dogs for eating but fresh ones are preferable. If you have to buy marrow bones and keep them in fridge for longer use then follow the recommended procedure to preserve it properly. Also keep notice that sharp bone fragments are not hurting your dog’s tooth and chocking him.

4. Is cooked bone marrow good for dogs?

Yes, cooked bone marrow is good and can be given to the dogs. However, the cooking process should be proper, it should only soften the marrow not splinter it.

5. Is bone marrow toxic to dogs?

Bone marrow is not toxic for dogs as it provides essential nutrients to their body. However, it may be toxic for the dogs with certain health issues like obesity (due to high fat content) and pancreatitis. So, a high calorie intake should be avoided.