What Kind Of Bones Are Safe For Dogs?

Posted on April 24, 2022 • 5 min read • 1,007 words

Should I Give the Bones to My Dog?

It’s common knowledge that dogs like the act of chewing, and they particularly enjoy bones. When I was a youngster, my family and I regularly offered our dog, Tippi, bones. 

These days, dog owners are much more knowledgeable about the proper nourishment for their pets. But despite the wealth of knowledge and information available, many of us continue to wonder: is it safe? Should I feed the bones to my dog?

Offering a bone to a dog is still widely debated today. Some veterinarians and groups unreservedly support the practice of feeding bones to dogs. In contrast, others maintain that giving your dog any bone is a terrible idea that will harm them in the long run.

There are undoubtedly various points of view on this matter, and in this post, I will outline some of the facts.

Are Bones Beneficial for Dogs?  

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that some bones if chosen carefully, may be advantageous. According to the opinions of a significant number of authorities, bones provide an excellent reward and amusement for dogs. 

Your dog will be less likely to chew on inappropriate items if you provide him with appropriate chew toys, such as bones. They are also a rich source of calcium and phosphorus; they can help strengthen the jaw, and they may help fulfil a dog’s appetite.

Additionally, chewing encourages the production of saliva enzymes, which aid in preventing gum disease and the accumulation of plaque in the mouth (this is true even for us humans).

Which Bones Are Strictly Off-Limits?  

The American Kennel Club, the Food and Drug Administration, and PetMed Express are among the organizations that concur that no sort of cooked bone should ever be given to a pet. This includes bones that you cook at home or those you buy from a store to prepare at home. Because they are so fragile after cooking, bones from cooked poultry (including chicken, turkey, and others) should never be consumed. 

When bones are cooked, they become brittle, and they may easily shatter into little, sharp pieces. If your dog swallows any of these fragments, they will travel into the intestines, where they might cause severe internal bleeding or puncture an organ. The splinters from these bones might prove to be fatal for your dog.

Raw pig bones (and pork) are prohibited altogether, as stated by the American Kennel Club and PetMed Express (but other sources do not lay down restrictions on pork bones).

The purchase of packed bones is likewise fraught with danger. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received approximately 70 complaints of sickness in pets that were attributed to “bone snacks” between November 2010 and September 12, 2021. 

The bone treats were prepared for sale and included things that were characterized as Ham Bones, Pork Femur Bones, Rib Bones, and Smoky Knuckle Bones. They were processed and packed for sale. Baking or smoking are two more methods that may have been used to achieve drying for these products.

It’s possible that the bones you buy in a package have been dried or baked, which makes them a riskier option. They could also include artificial flavors and preservatives, which are items your dog does not need at all.

Some people believe that raw bones should also be avoided as they are extremely tough and might cause damage to the teeth. Raw bones have the additional potential to harbor germs, such as Salmonella, which may result in disease if they are consumed. In turn, broken teeth may cause abscesses, infections, and even more severe health issues.

What Kind of Bones Are Best?  

If you offer your dog a bone, the consensus is that bones made from raw flesh are the healthiest option for them to consume.

HealthyPets.mercola.com’s Dr. Karen Becker suggests that you choose bones proportionate to your dog’s skull size. There is no such thing as a bone that is “too huge,” in actuality.

The Vice President of an ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH), Dr. Camille DeClement, recommends choosing chews for your dog that cannot be chewed in large parts or too rapidly.

Many people feel that people should give their dogs chew toys and fake bones that may be purchased commercially instead of real bones.

Cautions  

If you decide to give your dog a bone, you should ensure that the bone is of an adequate size. The American Kennel Club suggests that dog bones “be bigger than the length of the dog’s muzzle” to make it hard for the dog to swallow the bone in its whole. This will help reduce the likelihood that your dog will attempt to swallow the bone and end up choking on it.

Even if you offer your dog a bone that is the perfect size for them to chew on, check on them regularly while they consume it.

What do we do?  

You may search on the internet and discover various perspectives advising you on whether you should feed your dog bones or not, and if you provide them, what kinds of bones you should and should not give them.

Although reading this article on my blog did not likely make your choice any more straightforward, I intend that it provides some insight into the many perspectives about feeding bones to dogs. 

Assess the circumstances around ourselves and our dogs, ascertain how we feel about providing our dog with a bone, and come to a conclusion.

Interjection  

I do wish to add one personal remark. After giving my dog a couple of synthetic dog bones that are meant for chewing but are not edible (such as Nylabone, Hartz Chew’n Clean, and Petstages), I was surprised to find that she was eating them after having them for a time. 

Even though the plastic these synthetic chews comprise is safe to eat, chewing on them is not recommended. 

I prefer my dog to eat something natural and healthy, like a raw bone, rather than something artificial, like a piece of plastic.