It is common for people to give bones to dogs, but they are not always beneficial for their health. Find out which ones are the best and how they make your pet feel.
If you have a dog, you will know that what they like most in the world is to bite anything they catch, which is why many people buy them bones, not only for them to play with and entertain themselves with, but also to provide their pet with all the benefits that this food has in their diet.
However, there are many myths about whether bones are dangerous or not for the health of these animals. With all the contradictory information that exists, it is important that we know what the advantages of bones are, but also the disadvantages so that we can make the decision of whether or not to give them to our pet.
Advantages of bones for dogs
Dog bones are very common when you have a pet and they have a number of advantages.
- Your pet loves it and it’s a good way to give them a treat from time to time.
- It cleans your teeth, keeps your gums healthy, and prevents tartar from forming.
- Bones are a great source of calcium and phosphorus, which influence your pet’s growth and it will be great to include them in its diet.
- Your pet releases stress by eating it.
- They are like toys that will keep your dog calm.
- Helps stimulate the mind and exercise the jaw.
Disadvantages of dog bones
It is true that bones can also have a number of disadvantages that we need to be aware of if we are going to give them to our pet.
- Poor-quality bones can cause bacterial diseases.
- They are usually difficult to digest, which can cause constipation or, on the contrary, diarrhea in your pet.
- If the bone is brittle, it can cause oral wounds along the intestine and even obstruction.
Types of bones for dogs
- Edible bones: These are hollow bones that can be ground in a grinder. They are very good for your pets because they provide minerals, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Recreational bones: These are bones that are used as toys for dogs. They can play with them, chew on them, and even stimulate their minds for hours. They do not provide calcium and there is no risk of them being ingested due to their large size and rigidity. However, it is best to keep an eye on your pet while playing with them.
- Cowhide bones: These bones soften when ingested by our pets and come in various sizes depending on the breed of dog you have.
- Pigskin bones: It is very important not to give these bones to our pets as they can cause diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, our pets are not able to digest them properly.
- Calcium bones: These are an excellent option for our pet, not only because, as their name suggests, they have a lot of calcium, but also because this type of bone can last a long time and is easy to digest. However, we must keep in mind that it must be washed every time we put it away to prevent our dog from suffering from a bacterial infection.
What bones can’t I give to my dog?
Normally, it is always warned that chicken bones are not suitable for these animals because they are very small and they can choke on them or even cause injuries, but the truth is that you can run that risk with all the bones you give to your pet.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen, or at least that there’s the least chance of it happening, you should give your pet bones that are longer than the length of their snout so that they don’t choke. Of course, don’t give them bones that are cut into small pieces, as these run the risk of splintering inside your dog’s intestine.
As we have said before, pork bones and also rib bones are more prone to splintering so it is better not to take the risk. Also, we should try to make our dog chew well what he eats, and when he no longer wants it or we see fit to store it, refrigerate it, wash it before giving it to him again, and throw it away after three or four days.
We should never give cooked bones
The most dangerous bones for our pets are cooked ones, including those that come from table scraps when we cook something like chicken, ribs, etc. These bones can break and splinter very easily. If you think your dog may have ingested one, it is possible that he or she may have some of these symptoms: broken teeth, lesions in the mouth or tongue, gastrointestinal obstruction, in the trachea or esophagus, constipation, rectal bleeding and peritonitis (a bacterial infection in the abdomen that is caused by punctures in the stomach or intestine). If you notice that your pet has any of these symptoms, it is essential to go to the vet immediately.
Is it worth giving my dog a bone?
The general belief of these animal owners is that as long as the bones are not small, chicken bones or cooked bones, they can be given to our pet without any problem, however, this is not true. Although there are some bones that are more dangerous than others, the risk is always there.
This is why many people have wondered if it is worth giving their pet a bone despite the dangers that this may entail, and the truth is that many veterinarians think it is not worth it. As always, the last word is up to the animal’s owner, however, veterinarians recommend grinding the bones into powder and sprinkling it on the dog’s food rather than giving it a whole bone.
Although this provides the necessary minerals for your pet’s diet, the benefits of chewing are lost. Despite this, there are many bone substitutes that can provide the same benefits in your pet’s diet, but as always, the decision is yours.