December 08, 2025
1 min read

How a Dog Digests Raw Bones

Why Raw Bones Are Included in the BARF Diet

Raw bones are considered a foundational component of the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet because they provide:

Naturally balanced minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus
Bone marrow, rich in healthy fats and micronutrients
Cartilage & connective tissue, which contain glucosamine, collagen, and chondroitin
Mental and physical enrichment through chewing
Ancestral eating behavior aligned with what wild canines consume

We consider raw bones “nature’s toothbrush”, just as mother-nature intended. Raw meaty bones encourage chewing, scraping, and natural jaw exercise to improve overall dental health.

How Raw Bones Are Digested by Dogs

Dogs can break down important nutrients by chewing on bones. Dogs break down, shatter, and crush bones using their molars and premolars. This mechanical disintegration increases the surface area available for digestion and reveals soft marrow.

Dogs have highly acidic stomachs (pH as low as 1–2), especially when eating high-meat diets like BARF. This allows them to dissolve bones and bacteria in raw meat.
This acidity helps:

Dissolve bone minerals
Break down collagen and connective tissue
Sanitize raw materials by reducing bacterial load

Dogs fed a raw diet have higher digestive acidity, which improves the efficiency of bone digestion.

Nutrient absorption happens in the intestines. Once bone and attached tissues break down, the dog absorbs:

Calcium & phosphorus
Magnesium & trace minerals
Marrow fats
Proteins from connective tissue
Collagen and natural joint-support compounds

These nutrients support:

Bone & skeletal health
Teeth & jaw strength
Joint mobility

Chewing raw meaty bones has positive effects on both physical and behavioral health. Advocates of raw feeding note that eating bones strengthens the body:

Jaw muscles
Neck and shoulder muscles
Gum tissue
Mental wellbeing (natural canine behavior)
Choosing the Right Bones for Optimal Digestion

There are a variety of proteins and bones to choose from for your pup. However, knowing which bone and protein can vary for each dog based on their size, age and health.

Best “Edible” Bone Choices

These bones are softer, digestible, and ideal for BARF diets:

Chicken necks, feet, wings, and backs
Turkey necks
Duck frames
Rabbit bones
Cornish hen bones

These bones contain the right ratio of meat to bone and are easy for most dogs to digest.

Raw meaty bones add digestibility. Raw feeders emphasize bones that come with attached muscle meat to slow the dog down and improve digestive safety.

The size of the bone should match your dog.Bones should be large enoughthat the dog must chew, not swallow the bone whole. This encourages proper breakdown and digestion.

“Do raw bones actually dissolve?”

Yes. The dog's acidic stomach environment gradually dissolves raw bones when they are properly eaten. Particularly easy to digest are soft poultry bones.

“Is stomach acid strong enough to break down bone?”

Monica Samson

Monica is a mother of 3 kids and a dog named Rufio. Though her parents never allowed pets growing up, she has always been an animal lover and is thrilled to be able to provide a loving home for a pet need. Besides working full-time at BARF World®, she enjoys cooking and trying new recipes along with spending time with her family and her dog!