BoneZone® is a modular Structural Feeding™ and chewing apparatus for dogs. It secures appropriate bones, substantial foods and long-duration chews to a stable physical structure, creating controlled resistance against which the dog can grip, pull, tear, strip, gnaw, chew and manipulate the item while the owner retains greater control over location, height, movement, environmental contact, supervision and removal.

At the simplest level, it can hold a dog's bone or chew in place. That remains a useful explanation of the obvious physical function, but it is no longer the complete description of what BoneZone® is or why it exists.

At its simplest, yes - a clamp holding a bone is the most immediately visible function. But that is only the first layer of the product.

BoneZone® secures an appropriate food or chew to a stable physical structure and supplies opposing force when the dog pulls, tears, strips, gnaws, chews or changes angle. That is why our current description is a modular Structural Feeding™ and chewing apparatus for dogs. "Bone holder" explains the obvious function; Structural Feeding™ apparatus explains the broader feeding mechanics.

Structural Feeding™ is Petelli/BoneZone® terminology for presenting an appropriate food or chew in a stable physical arrangement that allows the dog to work against resistance while the owner retains greater control over location, movement, height, environmental contact, supervision and removal.

"Structural" has a deliberate double meaning. First, where appropriate, the food or chew can retain useful physical structure instead of always being reduced to small pieces or mince. Second, BoneZone® secures that item to a physical structure that provides counterforce when the dog works against it.

The food has structure. The dog applies force. BoneZone® provides the counter-structure.

Structural Feeding™ is our category language. It is not presented as an established veterinary, nutritional or scientific term, and it is not a diet or prescription.

Nothing. A bowl is exceptionally efficient at delivering food and nutrition.

Structural Feeding™ asks a different question: what does the dog physically get to do while eating? Nutrition concerns what enters the animal; feeding can also have a physical and behavioural architecture involving gripping, pulling, tearing, chewing, repositioning and working against resistance.

Those are different jobs. A dog can continue eating its ordinary meal from a bowl and also be given an appropriate Structural Feeding™ opportunity when it suits that dog, food and circumstance.

No. Structural Feeding™ is not an attack on kibble, bowls, fresh food, raw feeding, prepared diets or veterinary nutrition.

The question is narrower: where an appropriate substantial food or chew is being offered, can the dog also have an opportunity to physically work at it? BoneZone® does not require owners to abandon the food they already trust.

Keep the diet you have chosen. Add an appropriate physical feeding opportunity where it suits the dog.

No. BoneZone® can make some forms of raw and structurally intact feeding easier to manage, but Structural Feeding™ is a feeding mode, not a diet.

We are interested in the physical form and presentation of an appropriate food or chew, not in prescribing its nutritional philosophy. Food selection, frequency, dental suitability, digestive tolerance and veterinary considerations remain individual decisions.

Because structure changes behaviour.

A substantial poultry section, rib section, raw meaty bone, connective-tissue-rich piece or appropriate long-duration chew presents a different mechanical problem from the same material reduced to small pieces or mince. Retained structure can permit gripping, pulling, tearing, stripping, gnawing, chewing, repositioning and manipulation.

That does not mean larger is automatically better. The food or chew must still be appropriate for the individual dog.

Sometimes that is exactly the right thing to do. Cutting, grinding or portioning may be appropriate for the dog, food or circumstance.

But where preserving structure is appropriate, BoneZone® gives the owner another variable to control. Instead of necessarily removing the structure from the food because the larger item is awkward or mobile, the item can be secured and the environment managed around it.

Give the owner more control without requiring the dog to do less.

No. Domestic dogs live in human environments and that matters. BoneZone® is not an attempt to recreate a carcass in the lounge room or claim that modern dogs should be fed like wild animals.

We are looking at which useful mechanics - gripping, pulling, tearing, chewing and working against resistance - can be retained while still giving the owner modern levels of control.

Resistance is central to Structural Feeding™. When a dog pulls against a substantial food item, it needs counterforce. Without deliberate restraint, that counterforce may come from the dog's paws, the ground, furniture, a corner, another object or the dog's own body weight.

BoneZone® provides that counterforce through an engineered stable structure.

The structure supplies counterforce. The dog supplies force.

The item can remain positioned while the dog changes grip, pulls, tears, strips, gnaws, chews and re-approaches it.

It can extend the physical interaction with some foods and chews because the dog may need to work, pull, tear and chew rather than simply carry the whole item away or swallow pre-cut portions. But BoneZone® is not sold as a guaranteed slow-feeder.

The duration of a session depends on the dog, the item, its size and structure, and how it is presented.

Subject to suitability for the individual dog and the ability to secure the item correctly, BoneZone® can be used with appropriate bones, substantial foods and long-duration chews that benefit from stable restraint.

Examples may include suitable raw meaty bones, recreational bones, substantial poultry sections, rib sections, connective-tissue-rich pieces, certain whole or partial animal food items and long-duration natural chews.

Not every item is appropriate for every dog. BoneZone® supplies stable restraint and counterforce; it does not decide whether the food or chew itself is suitable.

There is no useful one-size-fits-all answer. Bone type, hardness, size, shape and condition matter, as do the dog's age, dental condition, jaw strength, chewing style, health and tendency to swallow pieces.

Very hard bones and chews can fracture teeth, while pieces from other items can create choking or gastrointestinal hazards. BoneZone® does not change those inherent properties. Choose the item for the individual dog, inspect it during use and seek veterinary guidance where appropriate.

BoneZone® is designed to control a specific problem: an otherwise unsecured food or chew item moving around while the dog uses it. It mechanically restrains the item at a selected position and height and allows the owner to choose an appropriate installation.

It does not make an unsuitable bone suitable, alter the hardness or composition of a chew, eliminate tooth-fracture, choking or gastrointestinal risks, or replace supervision. We have completed a detailed BoneZone® Safety & Risk Assessment covering the equipment, installation, dog interaction, chew item, hygiene, foreseeable misuse and residual risk.

No. We do not claim that. BoneZone® can restrain the main body of a suitable chew while it remains securely clamped, but pieces can still be detached or swallowed.

Appropriate item selection, inspection and supervision remain essential, and the item should be removed when its size, condition or integrity makes continued use inappropriate.

No. BoneZone® is a Structural Feeding™ and chewing apparatus, not a sterilisation device. Raw animal material can carry microorganisms before it ever reaches the apparatus.

What BoneZone® can do is create a more defined feeding location and give the owner greater control over movement and environmental contact. Instead of the item being carried through dirt, buried, retrieved later or moved through the house, its location can be managed and the immediate area cleaned afterwards.

That is hygiene management, not a hygiene guarantee.

Keeping a suitable food or chew restrained at a chosen height can reduce unnecessary contact with soil, dirt, faecal contamination, debris and other uncontrolled surfaces.

It also changes the mechanics of the session: instead of relying on the ground as the dog's main source of resistance, the system can hold the item while the dog works against it.

Yes. Some canine parasites have environmental transmission stages, and contaminated soil or faecal material can be an exposure pathway.

BoneZone® cannot remove parasites already present in food or the environment, but restraining the item in a defined location can help reduce unnecessary dragging, burying and repeated ground contact.

Raw animal products can carry microorganisms before they ever reach BoneZone®, and environmental surfaces can introduce additional contamination.

BoneZone® does not remove bacteria already present. Its role is to help control the movement and location of the item so normal food-handling, cleaning and disposal practices can be applied more consistently.

Not every contact with dirt is a veterinary emergency, and we do not present ordinary soil as though it is poison. But environmental material is not automatically harmless either.

The practical point is simpler: if a raw or long-lasting food item does not need to be dragged through soil, mud, faecal contamination or other debris, BoneZone® gives the owner a way to reduce that unnecessary exposure.

A mat gives the dog another surface. BoneZone® provides mechanical restraint.

A mat may help define a cleaner area, but it does not stop the item being picked up, dragged away, buried or braced elsewhere. BoneZone® controls the position of the main item while it remains securely clamped.

BoneZone® is height-adjustable and can be configured for small dogs through to large working and giant breeds, provided the chew, installation and setup are appropriate for the individual animal.

Dog size alone is not the deciding factor. Jaw strength, chewing style, dental condition, the food or chew selected, mounting method and supervision all matter.

Yes - strong dogs were part of the reason BoneZone® was developed. The system has been extensively used with Phoenix, our approximately 42 kg Belgian Malinois.

But "strong breed" does not mean every setup is automatically suitable. A powerful dog generates greater pulling, twisting and leverage forces, so the mounting method, stability, chew selection and clamping position need to match the dog.

Yes, but high-value food can create competition or resource guarding, and BoneZone® is not a behavioural control for that.

Multiple Jaw Assemblies or separate stations can create defined feeding positions, but dogs that guard food or compete over high-value items should be managed and separated appropriately. Do not assume that securing the food makes sharing safe.

Yes. BoneZone® was designed outdoor-first, but a controlled indoor installation can be practical on washable surfaces or in a defined feeding area.

Raw food hygiene, floor protection, mounting stability and supervision still matter. The advantage is that the main item can remain where you choose instead of touring the furniture.

BoneZone® is modular. Depending on the kit and location, the Clamp-Post can be installed using mounting arrangements suited to trees, timber posts, suitable poles, walls or other appropriate fixed structures, or used with a BaseMount/freestanding configuration.

The mounting point is part of the safety system. Use a sound structure, install the hardware correctly and test the complete setup before giving the dog access.

Yes, with an appropriate BaseMount and stable base configuration. Freestanding installations must be matched to the size, strength and behaviour of the dog.

Large or high-drive dogs can generate substantial pulling and tipping forces. If a freestanding station moves, lifts, slides or begins to tip during use, stop the session and correct the installation before continuing.

Yes. The 700 mm Clamp-Post provides multiple height positions so the Jaw Assembly can be set for the dog and the item being presented.

Height should be selected as part of the setup before the dog resumes chewing. The objective is a comfortable working position that leaves useful food or chew material accessible without forcing the dog's mouth into the hardware.

No. Do not try to loosen, reposition or height-adjust a loaded setup while the dog is actively pulling on the other end.

Pause the session, take control of the food or chew, loosen the clamp as required, make the adjustment, re-secure everything and manually check the setup before allowing the dog to continue.

Yes. BoneZone® is modular and a second Jaw Assembly can be fitted to the same Clamp-Post for suitable configurations.

If two dogs are involved, spacing is only one consideration. Temperament, resource guarding, access and supervision still need to be managed. For some dogs, separate stations or physical separation will be the better choice.

Of course. BoneZone® is designed to restrain suitable foods and chews; it is not an indestructible tug-of-war machine.

Very large items, powerful dogs and poor mounting choices can generate substantial torque and leverage through the system. The setup should match the dog and intended use. If components move, loosen, deform or behave unexpectedly, stop using the system until the cause is corrected.

Stop the session and reassess the setup. The item may have changed shape, been clamped at a poor point, require a different jaw face, or simply be unsuitable for secure restraint.

Reinstall it only if you can obtain a firm, stable capture. If the item cannot be retained reliably, do not continue using it in that configuration.

Before giving the dog access, give the item a firm manual pull and movement check. It should feel securely captured rather than merely balanced between the jaws.

Continue to inspect it during the session because edible items change shape as material is removed. If you can easily pull it free, your dog probably can too - reinstall it.

While the main item remains securely clamped, BoneZone® is specifically designed to keep it at the chosen station rather than allowing the dog to carry it around or bury it elsewhere.

That does not mean every fragment remains attached. Pieces can still be removed through chewing, so inspection, cleanup and supervision remain part of responsible use.

No. BoneZone® is a Structural Feeding™ and chewing apparatus, not a metal chew toy. The jaws are there to secure the appropriate food or chew to the structure while leaving useful material accessible for the dog to work on.

The dog's target should be the food or chew, not the aluminium hardware. If the dog persistently chooses the clamp or post instead of the intended item, stop the session and review the setup.

Incidental contact is possible with any hard object positioned near a dog's mouth, so we do not claim that tooth-to-hardware contact can never occur. Correct item size, clamping position and height are important because the aim is to leave substantial accessible material clear of the jaws.

Phoenix, our approximately 42 kg Belgian Malinois, has used versions of BoneZone® for close to three years without us observing a mouth or tooth injury from the hardware. That real-world history is useful, but it is not a guarantee for every dog.

Choose a secure clamping point that leaves enough useful food or chew exposed on the side or sides the dog will work on. Select the jaw face that captures that item properly and set the station at a comfortable height.

Do not keep using an item after it has been reduced to a size or shape that forces the dog's mouth into the clamp simply to reach what remains.

Stop the session and review the setup. Try a more appropriate item, alter the clamping point, jaw face or height, and make sure the food itself is the obvious target.

Some dogs deliberately chew non-food objects. If a dog persistently chooses the BoneZone® hardware instead of the intended food or chew, the system should not be used in that configuration.

No. BoneZone® gives the owner more control over the position of the food or chew; it does not remove the need to observe the dog.

Initial sessions should be closely supervised so you can see how the individual dog approaches the system. Ongoing supervision lets you intervene if the item loosens, changes shape, becomes too small, fragments unexpectedly, or the dog's behaviour changes.

Remove food remnants after the session and clean the components and surrounding feeding area using normal hygiene practices appropriate to the food you have used, particularly after raw animal products.

BoneZone® helps create a defined feeding location, but the owner still needs to manage food handling, handwashing, surface cleaning and disposal of deteriorated material.

No. BoneZone® is a modular Structural Feeding™ and chewing apparatus for dogs. The apparatus itself is not intended to be chewed, fetched, carried or used as a tug toy.

The appropriate food or chew is what the dog works on. BoneZone® supplies the stable restraint, position and counterforce around that interaction.

Yes. BoneZone® carries a 3-Year Structural Component Warranty. The apparatus is designed for repeated indoor/outdoor use and serviceability rather than as a disposable pet toy.

The warranty covers the structural components under the published terms and distinguishes genuine product defects from normal wear, cosmetic marking, misuse, unsuitable installation or damage outside our control. Full warranty terms are provided on the Petelli website.

The Clamp-Post is 700 mm (27.5 in) long. BoneZone® ships largely assembled in packaging approximately 750 mm L × 230 mm W × 130 mm H (29.5 × 9 × 5 in) and the packaged system is designed to remain under approximately 2.5 kg (5.5 lb).

International freight, taxes and duties vary by destination and provider. Any campaign shipping figures should be treated as the applicable Kickstarter estimate or confirmed rate for the destination shown at the time.

The launch options are anodised black or natural aluminium, as shown in our current product material.

Larger production numbers may make additional anodised colours practical in future. If campaign volume unlocks further options, we will announce them rather than promise colours before production quantities make them viable.

Preserve the structure where appropriate.

Control the environment where necessary.

Let the dog do more of the eating.

That is the simplest expression of the direction behind BoneZone® and Structural Feeding™.