The jury is still divided about dogs eating bones. Pet parents still debate the issue, each side with strong convictions. On one hand, there are people who believe dogs should eat bones to satisfy their instincts. On the other hand, there are strong arguments that bones are dangerous. So, can dogs eat bones? Let’s answer this question together.
Why Some Dog Owners Consider Bones for Their Pets
In ancient times, before dogs were domesticated by humans, they hunted for their food. These dogs had strong jaws that could handle bone eating. When dogs became a man's best friend, they haunted together. As both food and reward, they were given bones.
Before the invention of commercial dog food, people fed dogs with leftovers, which included bones. With this history, some dog owners continue with the ancient tradition and consider bones safe and healthy for their pets. They see it as fulfilling their instincts to chew.
But, the real question is, just because bones appeal to a dog's instincts, does it make them safe?
Types of Bones: Raw vs. Cooked
There are two varieties of bones, cooked and raw. Raw bones are uncooked and they can either be recreational or edible bones. Recreational bones contain marrow and are designed for your dog to chew but not to be eaten whole. They're good for dental health and mental stimulation.
Edible bones, on the other hand, are bones found in connective tissues. They're also known as raw meaty bones (RMB). Your dog can eat them whole or you can ground them. They're a good source of calcium.
Cooked bones are just that, cooked. Don’t feed your dog cooked bones.
Distinction Between Cooked and Raw Bones and Dangers
The difference between raw and cooked bones is that raw bones are softer for your dog and cause the least damage. Cooked bones easily break into sharp pieces due to their brittleness. When your dog eats сooked bones, these sharp pieces end up causing more harm than good. Also, cooking depletes the essential nutrients in bones.
Are T-Bones Safe for Dogs?
No. Because of their shape, T-bones can cause organ blockage. When your dog eats a T-bone, a part of it will get stuck in their throat and the other part in the trachea. This will result in swelling and blockage of the airway and prevent your dog from breathing.
Benefits of Raw Bones for Dogs
Raw bones are safer and contain minerals that are healthy for your dog. The advantages of raw bones for dogs include:
Dental Health and Natural Teeth Cleaning
Bones help promote your dog's dental health. Chewing on raw bones creates the illusion of a toothbrush and helps remove tartar buildup, plaque, and food particles. This helps prevent gum disease. Also, chewing increases the production of enzyme-rich saliva that keeps gum disease at bay.
While bones help with dental health, they aren't a substitute for regular dental grooming and dental checkups.
Nutritional Benefits
Raw bones contain marrow rich in healthy fats that are good for your dog's overall health. They're also rich in calcium and other essential minerals that are good for your dog's wellness.
Mental Stimulation and Stress Relief
Bones are a good entertainment option for dogs especially if you can't play with them. As they chew, they stay mentally engaged.
If your dog is stressed and engages in destructive behavior, you can use bones as a stress relief. When a dog chews bones, it keeps them distracted from destructive behavior.
Potential Risks of Feeding Bones
While serving raw bones to your dog has advantages, there are risks involved. The potential risks include:
Splintering and Intestinal Blockages
You should never feed your dog cooked bones. Cooked bones often break into small pieces. These pieces are a potential choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.
When your dog swallows bone fragments, these fragments can also affect their stomach and intestines. It can lead to peritonitis, a fatal condition of the abdomen where intestinal content and food leak to the abdomen.
Dogs that are prone to gulping, aggressive chewing, and small dogs are more vulnerable to splintering compared to other dogs.
Risk of Bacterial Infection
Raw bones carry bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. When your dog eats raw bones with these pathogens, it results in bacterial infections and food poisoning.
The most common sign of food poisoning in dogs is diarrhea and vomiting. Other signs are loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, lethargy, and fever.
Dental Damage and Fractures
Bones for dogs can result in dental damage and fractures. As they chew, dogs may fracture their teeth, especially for aggressive chewers, and lead to infections and pain.
Bones from large animals are usually hard bones to chew and pose greater risks than bones from small animals.
Safer Alternatives to Bones
Although dog and bone could be an okay combination, there are other safer alternatives. Best bones for dogs alternatives are dog-friendly chewing products, dental chews, and simulated dog bones.
Do's and Don'ts for Serving Bones to Dogs
Choose the Correct Type of Bone and the Right Size
The general rule is that a bone should be larger than your dog's head. This prevents them from swallowing it. The type of bone should be the kind that doesn't splinter easily and cause damage and blockages. Avoid bones like T-bones, turkey bones, or steak bones.
Supervise Your Dog While They Chew
Always supervise your dog. Keep an eye on when the bones are breaking apart to avoid them from swallowing the small fragments. Also, after your dog has gnawed on the bone and its size reduces, take away the bone. The smaller the size, the higher the chances of it becoming a choking hazard.
Offer Raw Bones Only
Avoid cooked bones. Compared to raw bones, cooked bones have a higher chance of breaking into smaller pieces causing intestinal blockage and dental damage.
Discard Bones After a Chewing Session
Always dispose of bones after chewing to avoid spoilage. Bacteria can grow on the bone's surface and result in digestive issues when consumed.
Don't Give Small or Sharp Bones
Avoid poultry and small T-bones as these can cause fractures in the teeth, intestinal obstruction, and cuts on internal organs.
Don't Allow Aggressive Chewing
Aggressive chewing can cause damage to teeth.
Don't Feed Bones if Your Dog has Dental Issues or a Sensitive Stomach
Chewing bones requires tough jaws and a dog with dental issues will experience more pain and discomfort if given bones. Dogs with sensitive stomachs shouldn't eat bones. Marrow bones can cause gastrointestinal upset for such dogs with signs like diarrhea and constipation.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat bones? Yes, but only raw bones. Although bones improve your dog's dental health and provide mental stimulation, you should proceed with caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat chicken bones?
No. Chicken bones, cooked or raw, easily break into small fragments and cause damage to your dog.
Why do dogs like bones?
Dogs like bones for the mental stimulation they provide and the satisfaction of their chewing urge.
Can dogs have rib bones?
No. Rib bones are a potential choking hazard.
Are beef knee caps okay for dogs?
Yes. However, you must proceed with caution since it's a hard bone.
Can dogs have steak bones?
No. It can lead to blockages and fractured teeth.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
No. The sharp pieces of turkey bones can cause dental damage and obstruction.
