I have heard people add bone meal to dog food was wondering what it is for?

I have only ever heard of bonemeal in terms of a gardening product to add when planting shrubs and it is recommended not to get it on your skin.
Will be interested to learn more about this and is it the same thing ?

Interesting, hope we find out ;-)

Hi Lois,

It is used predominantly by people who dont feed their dogs a commercial dog food, and so in making their own diets are advised that supplements are to be used to fortify /achieve 'balance'.
       Bone meal is used for calcium (calcium to phosporus ratio is advised from 1:1 to 2:1) Eggs shells (1 baked in oven for 10 mins then ground makes 1 teaspoon) are a cheaper alternative.

HTH :-)

Do you have to bake the egg shells? Ours have the whole raw egg, including shell:-)

Lol, the baking is just for ease of powder making ;) its one method (quoted in Pitcairn etc)
      (Im same as you as mine have bones)

I would't recommend giving too many raw eggs. Raw egg yolk contains a substance called avedin which interferes with the body's natural production of biotin and can lead to biotin deficiency. I also wouldn't recommend feeding bonemeal, or any extra calcium to a young, growing, large breed as it can cause joint problems such as OCD and, bonemeal particularly, Panosteitis. Also, if you feed extra calcium to your dog, the dogs body will shut down it's own calcium production so you are really no better off.

Whole raw eggs are not a problem. The avedin is actually in the egg white not the yolk, however the yolk has such a high biotin content it counteracts the effects of the avedin in the egg white. See Here

I didn't know that satincollie. It justs shows, you're never too old to learn.

Raw eggs that is interesting I remember years ago being told raw eggs were bad but didnt know why. It wasnt the salmonella thing, dont think that had been invented then LOL

I feed raw eggs but always had a niggle in the back of my mind thanks for explaining it. Now I will continue happily, mine are on raw and suits them brill with occasional cooked veg cottage cheese yoghurt and tinned fish, gsd wont eat raw fish. Loves his chicken

I love the knowledge you get by talking to people here.

Thanks to everyone that has posted. Loislane :-)

Something I was surprised about with bonemeal is the amount of phosphorous it contains. One product I looked at was 9% calcium but also had 3.9% phosphorous. I was just surprised as I thought of using it to balance a meaty meal.

I always give bonemeal when my bitches have whelped until the puppies start weaning.I find that their milk comes in quicker and it reduces the risk of eclampsia.

Does anyone know where you can actually buy bonemeal, and would it help with a dog who needs things firming up a bit?? Like bones actually do.
Bone flour is the ones that gardeners use, I believe. Or is it the other way around? :o0

Bone Meal is what us gardeners use LOL
I dont think it will be the same thing for dogs LOL
Lea :) :)

You can get bonemeal from Pets at Home.Dont think it would help with the firming up thing cant say I,ve noticed any difference that way when I,ve used it.

Why not just give your dog a raw marrow bone, save yourself the money on buying bonemeal and
your dog will love it too. Bonemeal that you buy is probably processed anyway.  Raw chicken wings are good or poultry necks, raw of course.