Bones - Good Or Bad For Dogs?

Many people automatically assume that they should give their dog a bone

. Dogs love bones, right? Bones are natural so they must be good for dogs. Well, not always.

Some bones can be dangerous to your dog. Cooked poultry bones, such as chicken (and especially chicken leg bones) can splinter and tear your dog's gastrointestinal tract. They can perforate the lining of your dog's intestine. Small bones can become lodged in a dog's throat or in his teeth. Larger bones can sometimes crack teeth.

Even small cooked bones can be dangerous to dogs.

On the other hand, there are many vets and raw food advocates who recommend giving your dog a nice big raw bone, at least occasionally. Chewing on large meaty bones satisfies a dog's natural urge to chew. Chewing on large bones or on raw meaty bones from the butcher shop can also help prevent dental problems for your dog. This kind of chewing helps keep a dog's teeth clean and healthy.

Large bones are safer for your dog than small bones and accidents with bones are comparatively rare. Meaty bones also contain nutrients and minerals that your dog craves. Many dogs love raw chicken wings and raw turkey necks. You can safely give your dog these bones and most dogs will love them. Because the bones are raw they are actually softer and more pliable than when the bones are cooked. They are easy for a dog to munch and swallow.

If you are going to give your dog a large bone to chew on make sure that it doesn't contain sharp angles and that it hasn't been sawed off. You don't want any sharp edges that could cut your dog as he chews.

The best bones include beef tails, ribs, and lamb, chicken and turkey necks. Make sure you get bones for your dog that contain a lot of meat on them but which have the fat removed. Dogs also love marrow bones but go easy when you give these delicious bones to your dog since they are very fattening.

If you don't give your dog bones very often be careful when you do give a bone. Bones can be very rich. If there is a lot of meat on a bone and you let your dog chew on it for very long your dog may develop an upset stomach. He or she may vomit or show other signs of gastric upset. It's best to only let your dog chew on a meaty bone for short periods of time, especially if they aren't used to such rich fare. Don't let your dog eat an entire small bone or he/she will probably have difficulties. You could even be looking at a trip to the vet.

One of the most important things to consider when you decide to give your dog a bone is the physical shape of the bone. Make sure that it is too large for your dog to swallow whole or to get it caught on his jaw. Don't give your dog sliced-off hambone-type bones as these are bad about getting caught over a dog's lower jaw and teeth. You may end up having to rush your dog to the vet to have the bone removed.

Choose bones for your dog that are safely large enough for your dog to chew on without any danger of your dog swallowing them. This way they won't get caught in your dog's throat.

Remember that it is important for you to supervise your dog at all times when he/she chews on a bone in order to prevent accidents.

If you choose to give your dog rawhide bones instead of actual meat bones you should observe these same precautions. Make sure that you purchase bones that are too large for your dog to get stuck in his throat and supervise your dog while he chews in case he chokes on something.

by: Tristan Andrews

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