We have all probably given our dog a bone before. Recently, the FDA has warned that bones can be dangerous for our dog's health. Most of us know that chicken, pork and lamb bones can splinter and hurt a dog. But even beef bones, cooked or raw can be dangerous for our dogs. Not only bones but other items like pigs ears and other chewies. This article has a list of healthy and safe treats for our dogs.
Why Bones are Dangerous to Your Dog’s Health
Recently the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a warning that bones can be dangerous to your dog’s health and cause injury or even death.
The size of the bone doesn’t matter; small or large bones can cause injury to your dog. Many of these dangers could be life-threatening for your dog and require an immediate trip to the veterinary emergency room.
I can relate two instances with my dog in years past and problems bones can cause. While chewing on a beef bone, it broke up and a sliver of the bone actually got stuck in the roof of the dog’s mouth.
We took him to the veterinary clinic where they had to sedate him and get it out. Another time a piece of pig’s ear became stuck in his throat. Both times were scary and that is when we went to safer treats.
The Dangers of Bones for Dogs
- Bones can get stuck in the dog’s intestines which could cause a blockage and require surgery.
- A piece of the bone could get stuck in the dog’s windpipe and be very dangerous. Your dog could be excited while chewing on the bone and actually inhale a piece of the bone into the windpipe.
- Bones could become stuck in the esophagus and cause the dog to start gagging to get it out. Once again this would require an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic.
- Bones could break a dog’s tooth or teeth.
- A sharp piece of a bone could cut your dog’s mouth or tongue and cause bleeding.
- Bones could cause digestion problems which could include severe constipation or bleeding rectum as pieces of the undigested bone fragments try to pass through the dog.
- Bones could also become stuck in the stomach. Part of the bone could become stuck in the stomach and unable to pass into the intestines, which would require surgery.
- Bones could also cause peritonitis which is a bacterial disease of the stomach. This can happen if the fragments or pieces of the bones poked holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. This is a dangerous disease and could kill your dog.
- Bones could injure your dog’s jaw. If you can recall looking at a big bone, some of them have a soft center and then the outer ring of the bone. The bone could become stuck or looped around your dog’s lower jaw and panic or injure your dog.
Keeping Bones Away From Your Dog
Your dog could be well trained, but sometimes dogs will still decide to do something on their own.
Make sure when you throw away any types of bones from your meals, that the dog cannot get into the trash and get them.
It is probably best to tie up the trash bag immediately and take it outside to the trash can, again making sure you dog cannot just reach in and tear open the bag with the bones in it. Make sure when giving your dog leftovers, that there are no bones mixed in with their dog food.
A warning, you might be reading this right now after you just gave your dog a nice bone. Never try and take a bone away from your dog, this can be dangerous since your dog will protect that bone and you could get a nasty dog bite.
Wait until the dog goes onto something else or try and entice your dog with another treat far away from the bone if you want to get it away.
Fake Bones Can Also be Dangerous to Your Dog’s Health
Some of the things stores sell might also be dangerous to your dog’s health.
In 2009, the Canadian government issued a warning about the rawhide chews, saying they could be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
These rawhide products have no nutritional value for your dog and some dogs are actually allergic to the artificial chemicals in them. Some people still like to give their dog the rawhide treats, if you do, look for products that say “Made in the USA”.
These are more likely to contain fewer chemicals, toxins and be fresher than the ones made in China or other countries.
Pigs ears are extremely brittle and can break into tiny sharp pieces. I used to think they were safe since they sold them in pet stores and my dog loved them. But I did notice that sometimes they cut the inside of the dog’s mouth and I could see the tiny shards on the ground.
Some are made from nylon and plastics and other products carry the same warnings since they can also break into small sharp pieces or your dog could swallow to large a piece of indigestible material.
In 2006, 13 dogs died from a popular treat getting stuck in the dog’s esophagus. They are too hard and indigestible. The company says they have made a softer version [1].
Avoid anything that sounds like a rock when you bang it on a table.
Healthy Alternatives to Dog Bones
Dogs love to chew and it is better they chew on dog treats than your shoes. A dog chewing can relive boredom and frustration and is good for your dog’s teeth.
There are many healthy alternatives to bones for your dog that are not dangerous to your dog's health. You can look for a seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) on labels and ask your veterinarian which are the healthiest and safest treats for your dog.
Crunchy treats like Milk Bones are good for your dog’s teeth, though they don’t last as long as a bone would. They also come in different sizes for different sized dogs and might be too high in calories for your dog.
Pedigree has a product called DentaStix that is supposed to be healthy for your dog’s teeth.
Chew toys that are bendable and softer than the teeth, but not too small that they can be swallowed whole are very good. Products like Kongs and balls that you can hide treats inside of can keep your dog busy playing and chewing.
Conclusion
If you still want to give your dog bones, you should watch them for any signs of problems and always keep the phone number for the emergency veterinary clinic with your other emergency numbers.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © June 2010-2019 Sam Montana
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