How To Make Bone Meal For Dogs? + What Are The Benefits?

To make bone meal for dogs, simmer clean meat bones until all the meat and fat come off, bake them at a low temperature until they are completely dry and brittle, then grind them in a powerful grinder into a fine powder and sift out any sharp fragments. Bone meal is mainly a source of calcium and phosphorus, used to balance homemade diets, so check the right amount with your vet; dogs on a complete commercial food usually don't need it.

In this article, we explain how to make bone meal step by step, what it can (and can't) do for your dog, and the risks to know about.

How to make bone meal for dogs?

It’s fairly simple, but the details matter for safety. You will need some bones and a grinder strong enough to turn dry bone into powder. You can use chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb bones; softer poultry bones are much easier to grind than heavy beef bones.

1. Clean the bones: Simmer the bones until all the meat, fat and cartilage come off easily. This also helps kill bacteria.
2. Dry them completely: Spread the cleaned bones on a baking tray and bake them at a low oven temperature for several hours, until they are completely dry and brittle enough to snap.
3. Grind to a powder: Once cool, break the bones into small pieces and grind them in a high-powered grinder or mill until you have a fine powder.
4. Sift it: Pass the powder through a fine sieve and regrind anything that doesn't go through. There should be no sharp fragments left, since cooked bone shards can injure your dog's mouth and gut.
5. Store it dry: Keep the bone meal in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and throw it away if it gets damp or smells off.

Never give your dog cooked bones that haven't been ground into a fine powder, because cooked bones splinter.

6 benefits of bone meal for your dog

Now that you know how to make bone meal, let’s discuss the benefits it can provide for your dog.

1Balances homemade diets

This is the main reason to use bone meal. Meat is high in phosphorus but very low in calcium, so a homemade diet of meat and vegetables without a calcium source is unbalanced. Bone meal adds calcium and phosphorus in roughly the ratio dogs need. A veterinary nutritionist can tell you how much your dog's recipe needs.

Bone meal isn't a joint supplement, though: it doesn't contain meaningful amounts of glucosamine or chondroitin, which come from cartilage.

2Supports firm stools

Many raw and homemade feeders notice that the right amount of bone in the diet leads to firmer, smaller stools. Too much has the opposite effect, causing hard, chalky stools and constipation, which is one more reason to measure it carefully.

3Supports strong bones and teeth

Calcium and phosphorus are the building blocks of your dog's bones and teeth, and a dog on a calcium-deficient homemade diet can develop weak bones over time. Bone meal, mixed into the food in the right amount, helps prevent that. As a powder it won't clean teeth, though, so keep brushing.

4Provides other minerals

Besides calcium and phosphorus, bone meal contains smaller amounts of minerals such as magnesium. It's a whole-food mineral source, which some owners prefer over a synthetic calcium supplement. It isn't a complete supplement, though, so a homemade diet will still need other vitamins and minerals.

5Bone meal is easy to make

One of the great things about bone meal is that it’s fairly easy to make. You don’t need any special ingredients. All you need is a powerful food processor or grinder and some bones, plus an oven to dry them. With just a few simple steps, you can make a natural calcium supplement for your dog's homemade meals.

6Budget-friendly and healthy

Another benefit of bone meal is that it’s very affordable. If you cook for your dog, making it from leftover bones costs a fraction of a store-bought calcium supplement. Remember that it's a supplement, not a meal: it only works as part of a properly balanced diet.

Pros of bone meal for your dog

• Balances the calcium in homemade diets
• Supports strong bones and teeth
• Can help firm up stools
• Bone meal is easy to make
• It's a budget-friendly way to improve your dog's health

Are there any dangers to bone meal?

While bone meal can be a healthy and budget-friendly way to improve your dog’s overall health, there are some potential dangers to be aware of.

Garden bone meal can contain added fertilizers and other harmful components, and bone meal in general can contain lead or other heavy metals. So, it’s important to only buy bone meal made for pets or people from a trusted brand, or make it yourself. Garden bone meal is also tasty to dogs, so store it out of reach: eating a large amount can cause vomiting and a dangerous blockage in the stomach.

Too much bone meal is a real risk. Excess calcium can cause constipation, and in growing puppies, especially large breeds, it can interfere with normal bone development. Dogs with kidney disease usually need to limit phosphorus, so they shouldn't get bone meal unless your vet says so. Don't add bone meal to a complete commercial dog food, which already contains the calcium your dog needs.

Ask your vet or a veterinary nutritionist how much to give, and contact your veterinarian if you notice constipation, vomiting, or any other negative side effects.

Cons of bone meal for your dog

• Bone meal from gardening centers can be toxic
• Too much calcium can cause constipation and harm growing puppies
• Homemade bone meal must be ground very fine to avoid sharp fragments

Final thoughts – How to make bone meal for dogs?

Bone meal is a useful, natural way to add calcium and phosphorus to a homemade diet, which supports your dog's bones, teeth and digestion. Plus, it’s easy to make and budget-friendly, as long as you dry it thoroughly and grind it into a fine powder.

Always ask your vet how much your dog needs, and stick to that amount to avoid constipation or other problems. As a final note, never buy bone meal that is made for gardening, as it might be loaded with toxic fertilizers and other harmful chemicals.

We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make bone meal for dogs. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for reading!