Can dogs eat bones safely? | Smokey Point Vets | What bones can ...

Can dogs eat bones safely?
Bones can be an enriching treat for your dog, helping to relieve boredom, anxiety, and stress as well as working to keep your dog's mouth healthy. But it's important to note that bones can be also harmful to dogs. Here, our Smokey Point vets explain more about dog bones.
Are Bones Good For Dogs?
Oftentimes, the answer is yes. Bones can provide your pup with a number of essential minerals and other nutrients while also satisfying your dog's appetite. Not only that, chewing stimulates saliva enzymes, which aids in the prevention of plaque buildup and gum disease helping to keep your pup's mouth healthy. An added benefit of providing bones for your dog to chew on is that it may deter them from undesirable behaviors such as excessive scratching or licking.
So Can I Give A Dog A Bone?
A better question to ask is "should dogs chew bones?"
In general, raw bones tend to be better for dogs than cooked bones. So if you ever wondered "are cooked bones bad for dogs?" the answer is yes, but again, in general.
That's because raw and cooked bones can both cause splinters in your dog's mouth and digestive tract, resulting in injury and even death (although this is more common with cooked bones). Here are some of the consequences of a dog chewing on raw or cooked bones.
Lacerations or punctures to the gums and tongue
Cuts and wounds to the throat
Damaged or broken teeth
Choking
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Severe constipation
Intestinal blockage
Perforation of the intestines
Rectal trauma and bleeding
What bones are NOT safe for dogs?
Cooked Chicken and Turkey Bones: These bones are most likely to splinter. Small bones are also more prone to getting lodged in the throat and esophagus than larger, more solid bones.
T-Bones: T-bones, due to their shape, can become stuck in a dog's throat while the other end is down the esophagus or trachea. This can lead to severe swelling that can block the airway, preventing your dog from breathing.
Small Bones and Circular Bones: Giving any bone that is smaller than your dog's mouth or easily splinters is risky. Both can result in choking hazards as well as trauma to the mouth and intestinal tract. Circular bones are also unfavorable because they can become lodged in the lower jaw of a dog. Dogs are terrified of this, and cutting the bone to free the dog's jaw usually necessitates sedation.
What bones are safe for dogs?
Generally, you want to get raw bones from a reputable butcher large enough to be easily grasped and about the size of your dog's head. It should also have bulges or lumps on both ends.
Raw bones are considered a "safe" bone option, but there are still risks. Your dog can still break a tooth, cut his or her gums, or get a bone splinter. Excessive chewing on the bone can cause constipation. The bone should be refrigerated before use and discarded after a few hours.
General Rules for Bone Safety
If you are considering giving your dog a bone, here are some general safety rules to follow:
Do:
Serve raw meat bones.
After 10 to 15 minutes, remove the bone from your dog and place it in the refrigerator.
After three or four days, discard the bone.
Give large bones to large breeds like German Shepherd Dogs, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs.
When you give your dog a bone, keep an eye on him.
Be an educated consumer
Do Not:
Give your dog the wrong type of bone.
Don't give your dog cooked bones of any kind.
Allow your dog to chew any type of bone into small pieces.
Don't give your dog a bone if he has stomach problems.
If another dog is visiting, don't give your dog a bone to chew on.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
For more advice on how to keep your dog healthy and happy contact our Smokey Point vets today to book an examination for your four-legged friend.
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