For many dog owners feeding a raw or home‑prepared diet, raw bone has traditionally played an important role. It supplies calcium and phosphorus, supports dental health, and helps maintain strong bones and joints.
But feeding whole bones isn’t always practical - or appropriate - for every dog.
Dental disease, previous gastrointestinal issues, recovery from surgery, a history of constipation or impaction, or simply advancing age can all make chewing raw bones difficult or risky. In these situations, meeting calcium requirements safely becomes a real challenge.
This is where Replace-A-Bone offers a simple, effective alternative.
What is Replace-A-Bone and what makes it different?
Replace-A-Bone is a whole-food calcium supplement made from finely ground, grass-fed beef bone. Unlike many calcium supplements that rely on calcium carbonate or synthetic mineral salts, Replace-A-Bone provides calcium in its natural biological matrix, alongside phosphorus and naturally occurring trace minerals.
This matters because dogs evolved to obtain calcium from whole prey and bone, not from synthetic mineral isolates. Calcium provided in a food‑based form is generally gentler on the digestive tract and more readily utilised by the body.
Replace‑A‑Bone contains no fillers, binders, flavourings, or excipients. It is designed specifically for dogs who cannot safely consume whole bones - not as an additional supplement on top of a bone‑inclusive diet or a commercial diet that already contains added calcium.
Why would you use Replace-A-Bone?
There are several common situations where replacing raw bone is necessary or advisable:
- Dental issues: Dogs with missing teeth, weakened jaws, or recent dental surgery may be unable to chew bones safely.
- Gastrointestinal sensitivity: Dogs prone to constipation, bone impaction, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or previous obstruction may not tolerate bone fragments.
- Post-surgical recovery: After surgery or acute illness, the digestive system may struggle with dense materials like bone.
- Senior dogs: As dogs age, chewing efficiency declines, increasing the risk of choking or gastrointestinal complications.
- Home-prepared diets without bone: Many owners cook meat or feed boneless raw diets and need a reliable way to meet calcium requirements.
In these cases, Replace-A-Bone allows you to maintain a nutritionally complete diet without the risks associated with whole bone consumption.
Why calcium balance matters
Calcium is essential for far more than just bones. It plays a key role in:
- Muscle contraction
- Nerve transmission
- Blood clotting
- Hormone signalling
- Maintaining acid–base balance
When dogs are fed boneless meat without a calcium source, the diet becomes unbalanced - typically high in phosphorus and low in calcium. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to skeletal demineralisation, secondary hyperparathyroidism, weakness, fractures, and chronic pain.
Replace‑A‑Bone helps restore an appropriate calcium‑to‑phosphorus balance in home‑prepared meals. Because it is derived from real bone, it also supplies trace minerals that support long‑term skeletal health.
How to determine the correct dose
One teaspoon (5 g) of Replace-A-Bone provides approximately 1.2 g of calcium and 0.6 g of phosphorus, reflecting the natural mineral profile of bone.
Dosing may be calculated based on the amount of lean meat fed, or by body weight.
If you’re feeding lean meat (85–90% lean) without edible bones:
- Adult dogs: Add 2 teaspoons per 500 g of meat
- Puppies (<12 months): Add 3 teaspoons per 500 g of meat
If you prefer a simpler guide based on body weight:
Adult dogs (>12 months):
- 3–9 kg → 1 tsp daily
- 10–25 kg → 2 tsp daily
- 26–40 kg → 3 tsp daily
- 40 kg → 4 tsp daily
Puppies (<12 months):
- <7 kg → 2 tsp daily
- 8–15 kg → 3 tsp daily
- 16–25 kg → 4 tsp daily
- 26–40 kg → 5 tsp daily
This approach ensures adequate calcium without excess, which is just as important - particularly for puppies and senior dogs.
If you are feeding a ‘complete and balanced’ commercial diet that already includes calcium, additional supplementation is usually unnecessary. Replace‑A‑Bone is intended specifically for boneless or calcium‑deficient diets, not as a general add‑on.
Safety, quality, and testing
When supplementing minerals, safety matters. Replace‑A‑Bone is produced from grass‑fed beef bones and finely milled to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal irritation. The product is tested for purity and consistency.
As a single‑ingredient product, there are no hidden additives, allergens, or unnecessary ingredients that may complicate sensitive cases.
A practical, flexible solution
While chewing whole bones can provide enrichment and dental benefits, it isn’t essential for meeting calcium requirements. Replace‑A‑Bone offers a safe, flexible alternative that allows owners to continue feeding fresh, home‑prepared meals with confidence.
For dogs who can no longer chew bones – or shouldn’t – Replace‑A‑Bone keeps home‑prepared feeding simple, safe, and nutritionally complete.
