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Why Too Much Bone in Raw Dog Food Can Be Dangerous

(And How to Spot It Before It Harms Your Dog)

Sophie avatar
Written by Sophie
Updated over a week ago

Thankfully raw feeding is growing in popularity, but not all raw diets are made equal. One major risk is high bone content, which can lead to serious health issues.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your dog safe.

What Happens When There’s Too Much Bone?

Bones provide calcium and phosphorus. But too much can do more harm than good.

Here’s what vets and nutritionists warn about:

  • Constipation: Hard, dry stools and painful passing

  • White chalky poo: A clear sign of excess bone

  • Blockages: Sharp fragments can cause obstructions

  • Dental fractures: Weight-bearing bones can break teeth

  • Mineral imbalance: Can affect kidney and liver function over time

The PDSA advises:

“Bones can get stuck in your pet’s stomach and block it, or splinters of bone can damage your pet’s delicate insides. Chewing on bones can also cause fractures in your pet’s teeth. Even if your pet is lucky to avoid these issues, bones can often cause stomach pain and constipation due to their high levels of calcium.”

Spotting the Signs: What to Watch For

Some UK raw food brands use a lot of bone to bulk up meals. Why? Because its a cheap filler.

Here’s how to know your dog’s food may be too bone-heavy:

  • White or grey poo that turns crumbly

  • Straining to go or skipping poos altogether

  • Crunchy texture in defrosted food – indicates ground bone shards

  • Too firm mince when raw – bone raises density

Why You Should Never Cook Food Containing Bone

Raw bones are digestible when fed raw.

Cooked bones are dangerous.

  • They splinter easily and can pierce the gut

  • They don’t break down in the stomach like raw bones do

  • They cause blockages, tears and even death

That’s why you should never cook raw meals with bone in them.

How Poppy’s Picnic Does It Better

At Poppy’s Picnic, we’ve designed every range to be safe, natural, and easy to digest.

✅ RAW POWER: Carefully Balanced with the Right Bone Ratio

Our RAW POWER meals are FEDIAF-compliant and include 7-8% bone in our RAW POWER meals, the perfect amount for safe for long-term feeding and contain no additives or fillers. Our bone is ground on a 8mm plate, where many producers use 10-12mm.

Shop the range: RAW POWER Meals

✅ MIGHTY MINCE & POWER BALLS:

Boneless for Cooking and Sensitive Tummies

Need something easy to cook or for dogs with bone sensitivities?

Try our MIGHTY MINCE or POWER BALLS.

  • No bone

  • Perfect for home-cooking

  • Ideal for pups, seniors or dogs with sensitive digestion

“Poppy’s Picnic gives me peace of mind. The meals are clearly labelled, and the Alfie has enjoys the food”

says pet owner and raw advocate, Sarah Walker

Be Careful Out there

Ask questions when trying another supplier:

  • What percentage of bone is in the meal?

  • Are their meals FEDIAF balanced?

  • Can you speak to a qualified pet nutritionist?

  • Do they offer boneless options?

  • Are bones ground or whole?

If you get vague answers, walk away.

Final Thoughts

Too much bone is a hidden danger in many raw diets.

At Poppy’s Picnic, we make it easy to feed raw safely:

  • We clearly label bone content

  • We offer boneless ranges you can cook

  • We balance every meal to FEDIAF standards

Your dog’s health starts with the bowl.

Ready to switch to bone-safe meals?

Explore our complete raw food range: Poppy’s Picnic Shop

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