Providing bones to your canine companion can offer a range of nutritional, health, and behavioral benefits. However, understanding What Type Of Bones Can Dogs Have safely and which ones pose risks is crucial for every responsible pet owner. This guide from Dog Care Story will delve into the world of dog bones, helping you make informed decisions to support your dog’s overall well-being.
Bones are more than just a treat; they are a natural source of vital nutrients that contribute to your dog’s vitality and happiness. From strengthening teeth to promoting mental health, the right bones can be an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. But with so many options, knowing which bones are safe and beneficial can be confusing. Let’s explore the advantages and potential dangers, ensuring your dog enjoys bones safely.
The Many Benefits of Bones for Dogs
Bones offer a holistic approach to canine health, extending beyond simple nutrition to improve oral hygiene and mental well-being. When given correctly, bones can be a fantastic supplement to your dog’s diet.
Nutritional Powerhouse: The Benefits of Bones
Bones are natural reservoirs of essential minerals, vitamins, and crucial amino and fatty acids. These components are vital for various bodily functions and contribute significantly to a dog’s long-term health.
- Protein: Provides the amino acids necessary for maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat, supporting robust muscle development, and aiding in tissue repair throughout the body.
- Calcium Phosphate: Fundamental for strong bone growth and the continuous regeneration and adaptation of the skeletal system, ensuring your dog’s structure remains resilient.
- Magnesium: Plays a critical role in supporting muscle function, particularly in maintaining a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.
- Phosphorus: Essential not only for bone structure but also for the integrity of cell structures and the production of cellular energy, fueling your dog’s daily activities.
- Marrow: A nutrient-dense core containing collagen, iron, and vitamin B. Collagen is a cornerstone for healthy joints, supple skin, a glossy coat, and efficient digestion. Iron and vitamin B are crucial for providing dogs with the sustained energy they need to lead a vibrant and active life.
- Vitamin D and Glucosamine: These work synergistically to support a healthy digestive system, actively helping to prevent common issues such as leaky gut syndrome and poor gut function, which can impact overall health.
Beyond Nutrition: Health Benefits of Chewing Bones
Aside from their nutritional value, bones provide significant physical health benefits, especially for oral hygiene.
- Healthy Gums and Teeth: Many dogs are not fond of teeth brushing. Fortunately, chewing on raw, meaty bones acts as a natural toothbrush. The act of pulling off pieces of gristle and cartilage helps to scrape away plaque and tartar, promoting cleaner teeth and healthier gums, effectively flossing and cleaning your dog’s mouth.
- Roughage: Raw bone provides a natural cleansing effect on the digestive tract. It encourages healthy faecal motions, which in turn support the proper functioning of the anal glands, preventing discomfort and potential issues.
- Jaw Workout: The vigorous action of chewing and gnawing on raw bones provides an excellent natural exercise for your dog’s jaw muscles, keeping them strong and well-conditioned.
Enhancing Mental Well-being: Behavioral Benefits
Chewing is a deeply ingrained natural behavior for dogs, and allowing them to express this instinct is vital for their mental health and emotional balance.
- Healthy Mental Well-being: Engaging in natural chewing behaviors is fundamental for a dog’s mental equilibrium. It provides an outlet for their instincts and helps prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
- Happy Hormones: Regular chewing has a profound calming effect on dogs. This activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood elevators that heighten a sense of pleasure. These “happy hormones” contribute to your dog feeling content and can significantly help reduce anxiety.
Can Dogs Digest Bones Safely?
The ability of dogs to digest bones largely depends on their diet. Dogs accustomed to a raw diet typically have lower stomach pH levels, which are more acidic and conducive to breaking down small bone pieces efficiently. In contrast, dogs primarily fed kibble may have less acidic stomachs, making bone digestion more challenging.
Most dogs will struggle with very large bone pieces, which can lead to complications such. These large fragments might pass into the intestine, causing painful constipation, or they could accumulate, leading to a serious condition known as impaction, requiring veterinary intervention.
The Danger of Cooked Bones
One of the most critical rules in canine care is: Never give dogs cooked bones. Cooking fundamentally alters the consistency of the bone, making it brittle and prone to shattering or splintering into sharp shards. These dangerous fragments can cause severe damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and internal organs such as the intestines.
Beyond the physical danger, cooking also strips bones of their valuable nutritional content, rendering them less beneficial. Furthermore, cooked bones are considerably more difficult for dogs to digest, significantly increasing the risk of blockages in the digestive tract. If you suspect your dog has ingested a cooked bone, it is imperative to contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance and a thorough check-up.
Understanding Raw Bones: Safety and Preparation
When it comes to feeding bones, always opt for raw bones with meat attached. This provides a more natural chewing experience and the meat helps to cushion the bone fragments, aiding in safer digestion. While there’s a small risk of salmonella with raw bones, you can take precautions. Freezing raw bones for a couple of days can help mitigate the risk of parasites and inhibit bacterial growth. While farmed meat from reputable sources generally poses a low risk for parasites, this simple step adds an extra layer of safety.
A happy dog chewing on a raw meaty bone outdoors
How to Safely Feed Bones to Your Dog
Feeding bones safely requires adherence to specific guidelines to prevent injury and ensure your dog reaps the benefits without unnecessary risks.
- Supervision is Key: Always supervise your dog while they are eating bones. This allows you to intervene quickly if a piece breaks off, gets stuck, or becomes a choking hazard.
- Raw and Meaty: Provide only raw, fresh bones that still have flesh attached. As mentioned, cooked bones are brittle and dangerous.
- Select the Right Bone: The type and size of the bone must be appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing style. This is a critical factor in preventing injuries.
Can You Leave a Dog Alone with Bones?
The answer is a resounding no. Never leave your dog unsupervised with a bone, regardless of how experienced they are with chewing. Depending on the bone’s size, your dog might try to swallow it whole, or a piece could snap off and become lodged in their throat.
If a portion of the bone is coming away, getting too small, or showing signs of splintering, be prepared to gently take it away from your dog. To make this exchange positive and prevent potential resource guarding, offer a high-value treat in return. Your dog might also naturally abandon the bone once they’ve had enough. If the bone is still in good condition, you can wrap it in a food bag and refrigerate it for another chewing session in a couple of days.
Age and Bone Introduction for Puppies
Puppies can start enjoying bones once their teeth begin to develop, typically around 3-4 months of age. The key is selecting a bone that is appropriate for their small size and developing jaws.
Soft, chewable bones such as chicken wings, chicken necks, and duck necks are excellent choices for puppies. Initially, they may only mouth and gum these bones, but they will still benefit from the nutrients and the act of chewing. This early introduction is also incredibly beneficial for developing their eye-mouth coordination and teaching them proper chewing techniques.
As a puppy approaches six months, their adult teeth begin to emerge, and they can then transition to more rigid bones. However, extreme caution is advised with very hard bones, such as large cow leg bones. These can be too hard for a puppy’s developing teeth and can cause significant damage to their teeth and gums. Always prioritize softer, more manageable raw bones for younger dogs.
What Type of Bones Are Safe for Dogs?
Choosing the right type of bone is paramount for safety and enjoyment. The ideal bone for your dog will depend significantly on their size and chewing habits. This section directly addresses the question of what type of bones can dogs have safely.
- Small Dogs and Puppies: Focus on smaller, softer, and more easily digestible bones. Good options include chicken necks, duck feet, and chicken wings. These are less likely to cause dental damage and are safer for their smaller digestive systems.
- Medium Dogs: As dogs grow, they can handle slightly larger and firmer bones. Consider duck necks, chicken thighs (bone-in), turkey wings, and chicken carcasses. These provide a satisfying chew without being excessively hard.
- Large Dogs: For larger breeds, lamb ribs, lamb neck pieces, and venison ribs are excellent choices. These bones offer a more substantial chew and are generally well-tolerated.
- Extra Large Dogs: Very large breeds can manage even larger bones, but hardness remains a concern. Good options include venison neck, turkey neck, and larger chicken/duck carcasses, and lamb ribs. Always ensure the bone is not so hard that it risks tooth fractures.
What Bones Are Dangerous for Dogs?
Just as important as knowing which bones are safe is understanding which ones to absolutely avoid. Certain bones pose significant risks to your dog’s health.
- Weight-Bearing Bones: Bones from large animals like cow and pig leg bones are designed to support immense weight and are extremely dense and hard. Chewing on these can easily lead to chipped, fractured, or broken teeth, causing severe pain and expensive veterinary dental work.
- Bone Marrow Rings: These large, hollow bones are often found in pet shops. While the marrow inside is nutritious, once ingested, the ring itself can become dangerously stuck around the lower jaw or on the teeth of small dogs. Larger dogs can also damage their teeth trying to bite through the hard ring.
- Sharp-Edged Bones: Bones obtained from butchers or supermarkets that have been cut with sharp blades can leave jagged, sharp edges. These edges can easily cut into your dog’s mouth, gums, throat, or digestive tract, causing internal bleeding or perforations.
Understanding the Risks of Feeding Bones to Your Dog
Even with careful selection, there are inherent risks associated with feeding bones that owners should be aware of.
- Choking Hazard: Cooked bones, due to their brittle nature, and raw bones that are too small for a dog’s size can easily become lodged in the throat, leading to choking. Always select a bone that is appropriate for your dog’s size, preventing them from swallowing it whole. The structure of the bone is also critical, as extra hard bones can break teeth and cause mouth injuries.
- Digestive Issues: Some dogs may experience a dry, crumbly stool or develop constipation a day or two after eating a bone. This is often due to the high calcium content. If your dog becomes constipated, incorporating extra insoluble fiber into their diet can help. This can be achieved through steamed leafy vegetables or pureed pumpkin or squash, which help to soften the stool. If you know your dog is prone to constipation after bones, consider replacing some of their regular food with plain mince on bone-feeding days.
- Vomiting: Occasionally, dogs may vomit bile containing bone fragments if they consume more bone than their digestive system can comfortably handle. If this occurs, try feeding smaller bones or limiting the duration they have access to a bone by swapping it for a high-value treat once you feel they’ve had sufficient chewing time.
- Food Sensitivities: For dogs with food sensitivities or allergies, it’s important to ensure that any ground bone included in their raw meal comes from the same animal source as the meat in that meal to avoid triggering adverse reactions.
What Should I Do if My Dog is Choking on a Bone?
Choking is a terrifying experience for both dog and owner, but knowing what to do can save your dog’s life. Choking occurs when an object gets stuck in the back of the throat, blocking the airway.
Signs of a Partially Blocked Airway:
If your dog’s airway is only partially blocked, you might observe these distressing signs:
- Retching or gagging.
- Pacing anxiously.
- Paw at their mouth repeatedly.
- Blue gums or tongue, indicating a lack of oxygen.
If the airway is fully blocked, your dog will struggle to make any noise at all.
Steps to Help a Choking Dog:
- Manual Sweep (if safe): If you can, carefully open your dog’s mouth and gently sweep the back of the throat with your fingers, attempting to remove any visible object. Only do this if your dog is responsive and calm enough; if they are agitated, there’s a significant risk they may bite you.
- Heimlich Maneuver: For objects lodged further back, the Heimlich maneuver can be life-saving:
- Dog on its back: If your dog is lying on its back, place your hands over the widest part of their chest and perform a quick, strong upward thrust to dislodge the object. Immediately check the back of the throat and remove the object if it appears.
- Larger dogs (standing): Position yourself behind your dog. Lift their front legs off the ground so they are standing on their hind legs. Make a fist with one hand, and place your other hand on top. Push firmly upwards and forwards, just behind the rib cage.
If the object does not come loose, contact your veterinarian immediately and transport your dog to them as quickly as possible. Time is critical in choking emergencies.
Integrating Bones into Your Dog’s Raw Food Diet
For dogs on a raw food diet, the inclusion of bones is often a natural component. Many commercially prepared raw foods, like those from reputable brands, are carefully balanced to include ground animal bones. For example, some meals contain ground bone as a natural source of calcium and phosphorus, along with essential proteins and other nutrients required for species-appropriate nutrition.
This careful balancing means there’s typically no need to add additional whole bones to your dog’s raw food meals if they are already complete and balanced. However, you can still offer whole raw bones as a recreational treat or a calming chew, especially if your dog tends to be anxious.
How Often and How Much Bone Can You Give Your Dog?
Generally, it’s recommended that bone content makes up approximately 10% of a dog’s total raw food diet. If you are feeding a whole bone with a significant amount of meat still attached, this proportion could increase to around 30% of their diet, as both the meat and bone are consumed together. Always consider the overall dietary balance.
Bone Alternatives for Dogs
If your dog isn’t keen on bones, or if you prefer not to feed them, there are excellent alternatives that can still provide nutritional benefits and promote dental health.
One popular option is to make bone broth from bones you no longer wish to give your dog for chewing. Bone broth is rich in vitamins, minerals, collagen, and amino acids. It can be served as a delicious food topper for your dog’s regular meals, supporting their bone structure, immune system, and digestive health. Alternatively, many brands offer ready-made bone broth products that can be easily added to your dog’s diet.
Other safe and engaging alternatives include:
- Dental Chews: Specifically designed to clean teeth and gums.
- Durable Rubber Toys: Offer a safe chewing outlet.
- Vegetable Chews: Certain vegetables like carrots or sweet potato chews can be healthy, fibrous options.
Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best and safest chewing options for your individual dog, especially considering their size, age, health conditions, and chewing style. This ensures they receive all the benefits without any unnecessary risks.
Conclusion
Understanding what type of bones can dogs have is a fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership. While raw bones offer numerous nutritional, dental, and behavioral benefits, safety is paramount. Always choose raw, meaty bones appropriate for your dog’s size, supervise them closely during chewing, and absolutely avoid cooked bones due to their splintering hazard. Remember to introduce bones gradually, especially to puppies, and monitor for any digestive issues.
For those dogs who cannot or should not have bones, excellent alternatives like bone broth or dental chews can provide similar benefits. Prioritizing your dog’s safety and well-being will ensure they enjoy the enriching experience of chewing bones without any adverse effects. If you ever have doubts, always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice.
