Types of Bones Unsafe for Dogs
Never give your dog chicken bones. If you have a puppy, you have probably heard this advice. What about bones from steak or other meats? And if you’ve heard that dogs shouldn’t be given bones , you might be wondering why pet stores and butchers sell dog bones at all.
Boiled bones are never okay
Bones are not just hard little rocks; they contain minerals, as well as other components that give them strength and, to a small extent, elasticity. When we cook bones, they break down and they become brittle. This is why cooking increases the likelihood of bones breaking into shards or splinters when chewed. These splinters can damage the dog’s intestines, throat, or mouth. This applies regardless of the size or type of bones – it’s not just chicken bones that are a problem.
I learned this the hard way: my husband gave our greyhound bones in the form of donuts made from boiled beef shank. They were too big to swallow and too hard for her to break, so we thought they were safe. And then one day she found an old one in the yard, and she became so fragile that she was able to break it open. It got stuck in her mouth and it took her a visit to the vet to have it removed. After that, she won’t have any more bones.
Cooked bones that you should not give your dog include:
- chicken bones
- Turkey bones
- Beef bones (for example, from a steak)
- Pork bones including ribs
- Honestly: any boiled bones
Bone injuries can include cuts and bleeding in the mouth or other parts of the digestive system, obstruction of the digestive tract when large pieces are swallowed, and choking. Bones or pieces of bones can get stuck in the stomach, causing vomiting. In some cases, bone fragments can pierce the digestive tract and lead to peritonitis. Neither you nor your dog will like it.
Bones sold as treats can be dangerous
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against smoked or baked “bone treats” sold as dog treats. They have received reports of dogs that have sustained injuries similar to those mentioned above. Of the 90 dogs with such injuries, 15 died.
Still want to give your dog a piece of animal to chew on? Try these softer boneless alternatives:
- Pig ears (from pig ears)
- Sticks for hooligans (from bovine penises)
- And consider a stick holder so your pup can’t swallow the stick when it’s been chewed down to a small piece.
Raw bones are safer, but with caveats
Large, raw bones don’t usually break like boiled bones do, so they’re theoretically safer. But they still have potential security issues.
It may seem that your dog shouldn’t chew raw bone into pieces, but sometimes a determined dog does. If you give your dog a raw bone, take one that is at least as large as his head and control him with it.
It is also important to remember that a raw bone is, in fact, covered in raw meat. This means that it can carry pathogens such as E. coli or Salmonella . Even if they don’t infect your dog, they can still spread around the house and pose a risk to people, especially children. The American Kennel Club recommends giving the bone to your dog for only 15 minutes or so and then putting it in the refrigerator for the next time. Discard the bone after three to four days.