Deciding What Bones Should I Give My Dog is a common question among pet owners, and for good reason. Giving bones to dogs can offer a multitude of benefits, encompassing their nutritional needs, overall health, and even their mental well-being. However, it’s crucial to understand the right types of bones and safe practices to ensure these treats are beneficial, not harmful. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of dog bones, ensuring you make the best choices for your beloved companion.
The Many Benefits of Bones for Your Canine Companion
Bones are more than just a tasty treat; they are a natural source of vital nutrients and provide significant advantages for your dog’s physical and psychological health. Understanding these benefits can help you appreciate why bones can be a valuable addition to your dog’s diet when given safely. It’s important to differentiate between safe options and potential hazards, especially considering other foods dogs should not eat.
Nutritional Powerhouse: What Bones Offer Your Dog
Bones are packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and crucial amino and fatty acids, making them a nutritional goldmine. They provide:
- Protein: Rich in amino acids vital for maintaining healthy skin and fur, supporting muscle development, and facilitating tissue repair throughout their body.
- Calcium Phosphate: A cornerstone for bone growth, this mineral complex aids in the regeneration and adaptation of the skeletal system, keeping it strong and resilient.
- Magnesium: Essential for robust muscle function, magnesium plays a particularly critical role in maintaining a healthy heart rhythm and overall cardiovascular health.
- Phosphorus: Beyond its contribution to bone structure, phosphorus is indispensable for cell structure and the production of cellular energy, fueling all bodily functions.
- Marrow: Found within bones, marrow is a source of collagen, iron, and B vitamins. Collagen is excellent for promoting healthy joints, skin, coat, and a well-functioning digestive system. Iron and B vitamins, meanwhile, provide dogs with the energy needed to live a long, vibrant, and active life.
- Vitamin D and Glucosamine: These compounds work in tandem to support a robust digestive system, helping to prevent common issues such as leaky gut and inefficient gut function.
Beyond Nutrition: Health and Behavioral Perks
The advantages of giving bones extend beyond their nutritional value, offering significant health and behavioral benefits:
- Healthy Gums and Teeth: Many dogs are not keen on toothbrushing, but chewing on raw meaty bones acts as a natural toothbrush and floss. The action of gnawing and pulling off gristle and cartilage helps to clean their teeth and massage gums, promoting excellent oral hygiene.
- Roughage for Digestion: Raw bone provides a natural cleansing effect on the digestive tract. It encourages healthy fecal movements, which, in turn, supports the proper function of anal glands, preventing discomfort and potential health issues.
- Jaw Workout: The act of chewing and gnawing on a raw bone is an excellent form of natural exercise for your dog’s jaw muscles, keeping them strong and well-conditioned.
- Healthy Mental Wellbeing: Chewing is an innate and vital behavior for dogs. Allowing them to express these natural instincts is crucial for their mental health and satisfaction.
- Happy Hormones: Regular chewing has a profound calming effect on dogs. This activity releases endorphins, which are natural pleasure-inducing hormones. These endorphins elevate your dog’s sense of happiness and significantly help to reduce anxiety.
Can Dogs Really Digest Bones? Understanding Canine Digestion
The ability of a dog to digest bones effectively often depends on their diet. Dogs that are regularly fed a raw diet tend to have lower pH stomach acid, which is more acidic and better equipped to break down small pieces of bone compared to dogs fed primarily on kibble. This more acidic environment makes bone digestion easier for them.
However, most dogs will struggle to digest large pieces of bone. If large bone fragments pass into the intestine, they can lead to constipation. In more severe cases, these fragments can accumulate, causing a dangerous condition known as impaction, which often requires veterinary intervention. This highlights the importance of understanding what foods can dogs not eat safely.
Cooked vs. Raw: The Crucial Difference in Dog Bones
When considering what bones should I give my dog, the distinction between cooked and raw bones is paramount. This is a critical safety aspect that every dog owner must understand.
Never give dogs cooked bones. Cooking significantly alters the consistency of bone, making it brittle and prone to shattering or splintering into sharp shards. These fragments can cause severe damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and intestines, potentially leading to perforations or blockages. Furthermore, cooking strips bones of much of their nutritional value, and cooked bones are far more difficult to digest, increasing the risk of blockages. If you suspect your dog has ingested a cooked bone, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance and a check-up.
Always give dogs raw bones with meat attached for eating or chewing. While there’s a small risk of salmonella with raw bones, freezing them for a couple of days can act as a precaution against any potential parasites and inhibit bacterial growth. If the meat is sourced from a reputable local supplier, the risk of parasites is generally low, but this simple precaution does no harm.
Safely Feeding Bones: Essential Practices for Dog Owners
To ensure your dog can safely enjoy the benefits of bones, it’s vital to follow specific guidelines. This proactive approach minimizes risks and maximizes enjoyment.
Supervision is Key: Never Leave Your Dog Alone
Never leave your dog unsupervised with a bone, regardless of how often they’ve had one. Depending on the bone’s size, a dog might try to swallow it whole, or a piece could snap off and become lodged in their throat or digestive tract.
As the bone becomes smaller or if a piece breaks off, be prepared to gently take it away from your dog. To prevent resource guarding and make the exchange positive, offer a high-value treat in return. Your dog might naturally walk away from the bone once they’re satisfied. If the bone is still in good condition, you can wrap it in a food bag and store it in the refrigerator for another chew session within a couple of days.
Age-Appropriate Bones: From Puppies to Adults
The age of your dog dictates the type of bone they can safely handle.
Puppies: Once puppies begin developing their teeth, they can be introduced to soft, chewable bones appropriate for their size. Excellent choices include chicken wings, chicken necks, and duck necks. Initially, they might just mouth them, but they will still derive nutritional benefits and experience sensory stimulation. This early exposure is also great for developing their eye-mouth coordination and teaching them how to chew properly.
Adult Dogs: When a pup reaches approximately 6 months of age, adult teeth start to develop, and they can be given more rigid bones. However, extremely hard bones, such as a cow’s leg bone, can potentially cause damage to their teeth and gums. Always prioritize bones that are appropriate for their chewing strength.
Choosing the Right Bone: Safe Options for Every Dog Size
Selecting the correct type and size of bone is crucial when considering what bones should I give my dog. The ideal bone will vary significantly based on your dog’s size and chewing habits.
Small Dogs and Puppies
For smaller breeds and young puppies, softer, more manageable bones are best:
- Chicken necks
- Duck feet
- Chicken wings
Medium Dogs
Medium-sized dogs can handle slightly larger and firmer options:
- Duck necks
- Chicken thighs
- Turkey wings
- Chicken carcass
Large Dogs
Larger dogs can safely enjoy more substantial bones:
- Lamb ribs
- Lamb neck pieces
- Venison ribs
Extra Large Dogs
For extra-large breeds with powerful jaws, robust bones are suitable:
- Venison neck
- Turkey neck
- Chicken/Duck carcass
- Lamb ribs
Dangerous Bones: What to Avoid at All Costs
While many raw bones offer benefits, some types are inherently unsuitable and dangerous for dogs. Knowing these helps further define what bones should I give my dog versus what to absolutely avoid.
- Weight-Bearing Bones: Bones from large animals like cows and pigs that support their body weight are extremely dense and hard. Chewing on these can easily cause dental fractures or damage to your dog’s teeth.
- Bone Marrow Rings: These large, hollow bones are often seen in pet stores. While the marrow is nutritious, once ingested, the ring itself can become dangerously stuck in the teeth of small dogs. Larger dogs can also damage their teeth attempting to bite through them.
- Sharp-Edged Bones: Bones obtained from butchers or supermarkets that have been cut with sharp blades may have jagged, sharp edges. These sharp edges can lacerate your dog’s mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
Potential Risks of Bone Feeding and How to Mitigate Them
Even with safe bones, there are potential risks to be aware of. Understanding these and knowing how to respond is part of responsible bone feeding.
Choking Hazard: Cooked bones and even small raw bones can pose a significant choking hazard. Always choose a bone that is appropriately sized for your dog’s breed and chewing style. Extremely hard bones can also break teeth and damage your dog’s mouth, so the bone’s structure is just as important as its size.
Digestive Issues: Some dogs may experience a dry, crumbly stool or develop constipation a day or two after eating a bone, primarily due to the high calcium content. If your dog becomes constipated, consider adding extra insoluble fiber to their diet through foods like steamed leafy vegetables, pureed pumpkin, or squash to help soften their stool. If you know your dog is prone to constipation after bones, you can replace some of their usual food with plain mince on bone-feeding days. For more ideas on what dogs can have to eat, explore various healthy additions.
Some dogs might vomit bile containing bone fragments if they consume more bone than they can comfortably digest. If this is a recurring issue for your dog, try offering smaller bones or limit their chewing time by swapping the bone for a high-value treat when you feel they’ve had enough. For dogs with food sensitivities, ensure that any ground bone in their meal comes from the same animal as the meat to avoid adverse reactions.
What to Do If Your Dog Chokes on a Bone
Choking is a serious emergency. Knowing what to do if your dog chokes on a bone is crucial. Your dog will begin to choke when something obstructs their airway at the back of their throat.
Signs of partial airway blockage:
- Retching
- Pacing
- Paw at their mouth
- Blue gums/tongue
If the airway is fully blocked, your dog will struggle to make any noise.
To help a choking dog:
- If possible, carefully open your dog’s mouth and gently sweep the back of their throat with your fingers to try and dislodge the object. Only attempt this if your dog is responsive and calm enough, as there’s a risk they may bite if agitated.
- For an object lodged further back, try the Heimlich maneuver:
- If the dog is lying on its back, perform a quick, strong thrust over the widest part of the chest to dislodge the object. Then, check the back of the throat and remove the object if visible.
- For larger dogs, position yourself behind your dog. Lift their front legs off the ground so they are standing only on their back legs. Make a fist with one hand, place your other hand on top, and push firmly up and forward, just behind the rib cage.
If the object does not come loose, contact your veterinarian immediately and get your dog to the clinic as quickly as possible.
Integrating Bones into Your Dog’s Diet and Healthy Alternatives
Incorporating bones into your dog’s diet requires thoughtful consideration of frequency and quantity, and it’s also wise to know about suitable alternatives.
Bones as Treats vs. Meal Additions
For dogs on a raw food diet, the composition of balanced raw meals typically includes ground animal bones. For example, some raw food brands balance their meals with 80% human-grade meat, offal, and bone, and 20% superfoods and seasonal fruits and vegetables. This careful balance provides everything your dog needs for a happy, healthy, and active life, meaning there’s generally no need to add additional bone to their raw food meals.
However, you can still give whole bones to your dog as a treat or as a calming chew activity, especially if they are feeling anxious.
How Often and How Much Bone?
It is generally recommended that bone makes up about 10% of your dog’s overall raw food diet. If you are feeding a whole bone with a significant amount of meat attached, this can account for approximately 30% of a dog’s diet, as the meat and bone are consumed together.
Beyond Bones: Excellent Alternatives for Your Dog
If your dog isn’t keen on bones, or if you prefer not to give them, there are many other excellent alternatives to provide chewing satisfaction and nutritional benefits. Consider these options for their healthy dinner options for dogs.
One popular alternative is to make bone broth from bones you no longer want to give your dog as a chew. Bone broth can be used as a flavorful food topper, adding a boost of vitamins and minerals. Alternatively, readily available bone broths from reputable brands are also a great option. Packed with nutrients, bone broth is a tasty addition to your dog’s regular raw food and significantly supports their bone structure and immune system.
A dog happily chewing on a raw bone, with green grass in the background.
Conclusion: Making Informed Choices for Your Dog’s Bone Chewing Needs
Understanding what bones should I give my dog is about balancing nutritional benefits with crucial safety considerations. Raw bones, when chosen correctly and given under supervision, can be a fantastic addition to your dog’s routine, supporting their dental health, providing essential nutrients, and offering a satisfying outlet for their natural chewing instincts. Remember to what fruits not to give dogs and other unsafe foods to maintain their overall health.
Always avoid cooked bones, select bones appropriate for your dog’s size and age, and prioritize continuous supervision. By staying informed and vigilant, you can ensure that bone chewing remains a safe, enjoyable, and beneficial experience for your beloved canine companion. When in doubt, consulting with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist can provide personalized advice tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
