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Updated September 2026
Raw bones are a common part of many raw feeding programmes, but choosing the right bone matters.
The best bone for one dog may be completely unsuitable for another. Size, chewing style, age, dental health and experience all need to be considered.
This guide explains the difference between edible and recreational bones, how to choose an appropriate size, what to avoid and how raw bones can fit into a balanced raw diet.
Many dogs can eat appropriately selected raw bones.
Raw bones may be included as:
However, bones are not completely risk-free.
Dogs should always be supervised, and the bone needs to be appropriate for the individual dog.
Never feed cooked bones.
Cooking changes the structure of bone and can make it more brittle.
Cooked bones may splinter or break into sharp pieces, which can increase the risk of injury.
For that reason, bones intended for raw feeding should be fed raw rather than cooked.
This includes bones left over from cooked meals.
Edible bones are softer bones that a dog can chew and consume as part of a meal.
Examples may include:
The appropriate choice depends on the size and chewing style of the individual dog.
A bone that is suitable for a large, experienced chewer may be completely inappropriate for a small dog or puppy.
Recreational bones are generally larger bones given primarily for chewing rather than being completely consumed as part of a meal.
These require particular care.
Very hard bones, especially dense weight-bearing bones from large animals, may increase the risk of damaged or fractured teeth in strong chewers.
If your dog attacks very hard bones aggressively, a softer option may be more appropriate.
Think about the dog first, not just the bone.
Consider:
As a general principle, a bone should be large enough that your dog cannot simply swallow it whole.
If a bone becomes small enough to swallow easily, remove it.
Small dogs can eat raw bones, but size selection is particularly important.
A small dog still needs a bone large enough to encourage chewing rather than gulping.
Softer raw meaty bones may be easier for smaller dogs to manage than very dense recreational bones.
For more information about portioning, meal size and suitable food choices for smaller breeds, see our Raw Dog Food for Small Dogs NZ guide.
Raw bones may be included in some puppy feeding programmes, but growing puppies require extra care.
Choose bones that are appropriate for the puppy's:
Always supervise.
Puppies also have specific nutritional requirements for growth, so bones should form part of an appropriately balanced diet rather than simply being added without considering the rest of the feeding programme.
Read our Raw Feeding Puppies NZ guide for more detailed puppy feeding information.
Some senior dogs continue to enjoy raw bones, but their dental health and chewing ability may change with age.
Older dogs may have:
Choose softer, easier-to-manage options where appropriate.
If your dog has dental problems or a history of damaged teeth, speak with your veterinarian before offering hard chews or bones.
Chewing can provide mechanical abrasion against the surface of the teeth, which may help reduce some food debris or buildup.
However, raw bones should not be considered a substitute for proper dental care.
Dogs can still develop dental disease even if they chew bones regularly.
Regular dental checks and appropriate home dental care remain important.
There is no single schedule that suits every dog.
Frequency depends on:
If edible bone forms part of the diet, it needs to be considered within the overall nutritional balance.
Too much bone can result in very firm, pale or crumbly stools and may contribute to constipation.
Edible bone is commonly used as a source of calcium in raw feeding.
Calcium and phosphorus both play important roles in the body, and their balance is particularly important for growing puppies.
Adding more bone is not automatically better.
The amount needs to make sense within the overall diet.
If you are unsure how bone fits into a complete raw feeding programme, read our Balanced Raw Diet for Dogs NZ guide.
For more guidance on portions, feeding amounts and building a varied raw diet, see our Raw Dog Feeding Guide.
Large marrow bones are popular recreational chews, but they can be extremely hard.
This means they may not be suitable for every dog, particularly powerful chewers that bite down heavily rather than gnawing.
The fatty marrow inside can also add a significant amount of fat to the diet.
This may be unsuitable for dogs that require lower-fat feeding or have medical conditions where dietary fat needs to be controlled.
Avoid:
Dogs with previous gastrointestinal obstruction, significant dental disease or certain medical conditions may also require individual veterinary advice.
Supervision is one of the most important parts of feeding bones.
Watch how your dog approaches the bone.
Some dogs carefully chew and work on a bone over time.
Others attempt to swallow large pieces or crunch aggressively through anything they are given.
If your dog is a gulper, choose an option that is too large to swallow whole and monitor them closely.
Remove the bone if:
There is no fixed time.
For edible raw meaty bones, dogs may consume the entire appropriate portion.
For recreational bones, it is usually better to offer them for a supervised period and then remove them.
Do not leave raw bones sitting around the house for extended periods.
Raw animal products should be handled and stored carefully.
Handle raw bones as you would other raw meat.
Good hygiene includes:
Extra care is sensible in households with young children, elderly people or anyone with reduced immunity.
Bones should not be considered in isolation.
A raw feeding programme may also include:
The goal is to create an overall diet that provides appropriate nutrition rather than focusing too heavily on any one ingredient.
Read our Balanced Raw Diet for Dogs NZ guide if you want a deeper explanation of how the different components fit together.
We offer a range of raw bones and meaty bone options for dogs of different sizes and chewing styles.
When choosing a bone, consider your dog's size, experience and the way they chew.
Shop our Raw Bones for Dogs
Read our Raw Dog Feeding Guide
Explore our Raw Dog Food Range
It depends on the type of bone and the rest of the dog's diet. Edible bone needs to be considered as part of the overall nutritional balance rather than added without accounting for other foods.
Raw bones and cooked bones behave differently. Cooked bones can become brittle and should not be fed to dogs. Raw bones still carry risks and should be selected carefully and fed under supervision.
Yes, appropriately selected raw bones may be included in some puppy feeding programmes, but size, texture and nutritional balance are especially important during growth.
Choose a bone appropriate to your dog's size and chewing style and large enough that it cannot simply be swallowed whole.
Very hard bones can damage teeth, particularly in dogs that bite down forcefully. Dense weight-bearing bones deserve particular caution.
Very pale, hard or crumbly stools can indicate that the dog has eaten a relatively high amount of bone. Review the amount being fed if this happens regularly.
Yes. Small dogs can eat appropriately selected raw bones, but the size and hardness of the bone need to suit the dog.
Chewing may provide some mechanical cleaning, but bones do not replace appropriate dental care or veterinary dental assessment.
Raw bones can be a useful part of a raw feeding programme when they are chosen carefully.
Focus on the individual dog rather than following a one-size-fits-all rule.
Choose an appropriate size and hardness, supervise every chewing session, avoid cooked bones and consider how edible bone fits into the overall nutritional balance of the diet.
Read our Raw Dog Feeding Guide
Read our Balanced Raw Diet for Dogs NZ Guide
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