Dog bones: Is it really worth the risk?
Ask any veterinary practice and they’ll tell you: Dogs and bones do not go well together.
Bones (even so called dog bones sold at pet shops) are dangerous for dogs because they can cause several health problems.
In 2010 the FDA of USA launched a campaign to warn all pet owners that bones are not safe and represent an unnecessary risk to cats and dogs. This warning applies to both raw and cooked bones.
You can read the FDA report here
Dog bones are not safe for a variety of reasons.
The following potential complications can and regularly do occur in dogs eating raw or cooked bones-
- Fractured teeth- Bones are hard enough to cause your dog’s teeth to crack, often necessitating tooth extractions that are both painful and costly.
- Oral injuries- the sharp edges of bones can cut your dog’s gums and tongue. Not only is this painful for your dog, it can also get pretty messy. Bones can also get stuck in the mouth between the molars of the lower jaw. Ouch!
- Airway obstruction- all or part of the bone can slide down the throat and become stuck, causing your dog to choke. To dislodge a bone from a throat is near impossible without surgery.
- Gastrointestinal complications – Bones passing through the digestive tract can cause serious damage. A piece of bone can become lodged in the oesophagus, stomach or intestines. In most cases, emergency surgery is needed to remove the bone. If the bones do not get stuck, they can cause irritation while passing through the gastrointestinal tract. At the very least, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation can occur. However, fragments can actually poke through the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, intestines and colon. This is a life-threatening situation.
Sure dogs love to chew on bones, but it doesn’t mean they are safe.
At our veterinary practice, we’ve heard a lot of justifications about dogs and bones in our time. Usually after we’ve had to manually or physically http://www.cheapambienpriceonline.com remove them from your pet. Even if you have given your dog bones in the past without complications, it does not mean that everything will turn out fine the next time you feed them a bone.
Dog bones: Is it really worth the risk?
Chewing is instinctively necessary for dogs. However, there are better, healthier and far safer alternatives to bones available.
Here are some of the veterinary practice favourites we sell and endorse at Fox Valley Animal Hospital:
- Chew toys- like “Dental Kongs” and “Kong Genius”. There are hundreds of toys available- bouncy, squeaky and food puzzles find out what your dog likes. Swap the toys around and put treats in them to keep them interesting and encourage chewing.
- Dog chews, like Hedgehogs and Vege-ears, these are made with all natural vegan ingredients, are low in salt and fat and help remove plaque as they are chewed.
- Greenies are a fan favourite with most dogs and cats and are clinically proven to clean your pets’ teeth by fighting both plaque and tartar build-up, freshening breath, and maintaining healthier teeth and gums.
- Summer tip- If your dog loves to chew try giving them a nice cold carrot or piece of apple from the fridge, you can even create an “puppy ice-block” by filling your dogs Kong with some favourite treats, some water and popping it in the freezer.
So make sure when it comes to your dogs chewing time, bones are definitely off the menu!
Need more advice on how to feed or treat your dog? Our veterinary practice welcomes you dropping in or calling to get the advice you need to keep your dog healthy.
