All about bones and your dog
Many dog owners often wonder about the best way to feed their pets – but don’t worry you’re not alone! Ensuring your dog has a healthy, balanced diet is essential for their overall wellbeing and happiness. Just as you monitor what you eat, it’s important to be mindful of what you feed your dog. An unbalanced diet can lead to a range of health issues, from digestive problems to even some scary dental concerns.
In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of canine nutrition, including the benefits of incorporating bones into your beloved pooch’s diet. Bones not only help maintain healthy teeth and gums but also satisfy your dog’s natural chewing instincts - how good!
Benefits of dog bones
Bones can provide our furry friends with nutrients and mental stimulation, plus can assist in removing tartar from the surface of their teeth.
On the flip side, bones can be a little risky since they can break teeth, cause internal blockages, and carry nasty bacteria that can make both animals and pet parents really sick. While we don’t want to think of anything bad happening to our fur babies, it’s important to consider these factors so you can make a well-informed decision that’s best for the wellbeing of both your pooch and family.
When considering the benefits of including bones in your dog’s diet, there are several key advantages:
- Nutrient density: Raw meaty bones provide essential nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, which support strong bones, teeth, and overall health.
- Dental benefits: Chewing on bones helps reduce tartar from the top of the teeth, promoting healthier teeth and gums.
- Mental stimulation: Bones can also help to reduce boredom, relieve stress, and even curb chewing behaviours by keeping your pup occupied with something fun to do!
The risks of giving dogs bones
While bones can offer several benefits for your dog’s health and well-being, they also come with potential risks that every pet parent should know about. Some of these can include:
- Bone density: Hard bones can often be too dense and could lead to future dental problems.
- Portion sizes: Bones that are too large can contribute to an unbalanced diet.
- Fat content: Marrow bones can be high in fat and can increase the risk of pancreatitis in some dog breeds.
- Behavioural issues: Giving bones could lead to resource guarding or possessiveness.
- Oral injuries: Sharp bones can lead to cuts and abrasions in your pup’s mouth.
- Dental problems: Chewing on hard bones can crack or weaken the teeth.
- Choking hazards: Small bones can often lead to painful and life threatening choking hazards if your pup tries to swallow them without chewing.
Understanding these risks can help pet parents make informed decisions and ensure your fur baby enjoys bones safely.
Debunking myths about dogs and bones
When it comes to dogs and bones, there’s no shortage of tall tales. But, we’re here to set the record straight on some commonly told myths:
Myth: All bones are safe for dogs
Fact: Some bones, especially cooked or brittle ones, can actually splinter and cause serious internal injuries for our pooches. This will also vary on the type of dog and how old they are.
Myth: Dogs can digest any type of animal bone
Fact: Large or dense bones can cause blockages or digestive issues that may require medical attention. Do yourself and your pooch a favour and always check with your vet before giving your dog a bone!
Myth: Chewing bones prevents dental problems
Fact: This is a tricky one - It’s true that bones can help with plaque removal, but they can also lead to fractures if they're too hard to chew - and we don’t want that!
Dogs and chicken bones
Not only is chicken a popular source of protein for dogs (and humans!), but it’s packed with amino acids, vitamins and minerals to support their overall health and wellbeing. When fed as part of a balanced diet, chicken does wonders to help to support muscle development and more – no wonder dogs love it so much!
Can my dog eat cooked chicken bones?
Cooked chicken bones can easily become brittle and splinter which can lead to choking.
Can my dog eat raw chicken bones?
Raw chicken bones are much softer and less likely to splinter. Ensure they are the right size and only give them to your pup with the right supervision.
What to do if your dog ingests chicken bones?
First of all, don’t panic! Monitor your dog closely for any signs of choking, vomiting, or difficulty passing stool. We also recommend immediately contacting your vet for advice.
Dogs and lamb bones
Lamb is a highly nutritious protein source for dogs, especially for those with sensitive tummies or allergies to more common meats like chicken.
Can my dog eat cooked lamb bones?
Cooked lamb bones can splinter easily and lead to choking or internal injuries.
Can my dog eat raw lamb bones?
Raw lamb bones are less likely to splinter, but should only be given to your furry friend with the right supervision.
What to do if your dog ingests lamb bones?
If your pup swallows a cooked lamb bone, keep a close eye on them for symptoms like choking, abdominal discomfort, or changes in their behaviour. Do not hesitate to call your vet if you are concerned.
Dogs and Ham Bones
Although many dogs love the taste of ham, it technically doesn’t offer many health benefits for our furry mates, as it’s packed with fat and has high salt content. More ham for us then, I guess!
Can my dog eat cooked ham bones?
Cooked ham bones can easily become brittle and splinter which can lead to choking.
Can my dog eat raw ham bones?
Raw ham bones can unfortunately splinter easily, leading to choking. We recommend you avoid feeding these to your dog and save these for a nice soup or stew!
What to do if your dog ingests ham bones?
If your dog eats a cooked or raw ham bone, observe them for signs of distress such as coughing, drooling, difficulty swallowing, or changes in behaviour. Contact your vet immediately if there are any changes in behaviour.
Dogs and Beef Bones
Beef is a rich source of protein, iron, and essential fatty acids, making it a great option for supporting your dog’s muscle growth and overall health. Did you know that traditionally, beef has been a central part of a dog’s diet especially when it comes to active dogs? Pretty cool!
Can my dog eat cooked beef bones?
Cooked beef bones can easily become brittle and splinter which can lead to choking.
Can my dog eat raw beef bones?
Raw large marrow bones or knuckle bones can be a safe option since they are less likely to splinter, however they should only be given with the right supervision.
What to do if your dog ingests beef bones?
If your dog swallows a cooked beef bone, keep a close eye on them for symptoms like choking, abdominal discomfort, or changes in their behaviour.
Dogs and Pork Bones
Pork is a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals for dogs, but does have a high fat content.
Can my dog eat cooked pork bones?
Cooked pork bones can splinter easily and lead to choking or internal injuries.
Can my dog eat raw pork bones?
Raw pork bones are less brittle than cooked ones, but can still splinter easily, leading to choking.
What to do if your dog ingests pork bones?
If your dog swallows a pork bone, be sure to stay calm and keep a close eye on them for symptoms like vomiting, choking, abdominal discomfort, or changes in their behaviour.
Can I give my dog bone broth?
Bone broth is a nutrient-dense liquid made from slowly cooking animal bones at a low heat for an extended period. Bones contain an abundance of minerals and vitamins, so bone broth is a safe and yummy way to get the nutrients to your dog. It can often be used as another way to hydrate your pooch, as a special treat!
Here are health benefits of bone broth for dogs:
- Supports joint health: The collagen and gelatin in bone broth can help maintain healthy joints and reduce inflammation – perfect for dogs with arthritis or joint issues.
- Boosts the immune system: Bone broth is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which support overall immune function and help fight off infections.
- Thirst quencher: Bone broth is a tasty way to increase water intake for dogs who aren’t great at drinking water, especially in hot weather or if they’re recovering from illness.
Bone broth comes in a few different varieties (chicken, beef and lamb) so you have a few different options to try with your pup.
How often should you feed your dog bones?
Good question! Too many bones may lead to constipation in your pooch. The general guideline is one to two raw bones per week with a few days in between each serving, but this may vary between individual dogs.
If you're confused about how often to give bones to your dog, we recommend getting in touch with your vet. They can advise you on the best diet, and the most appropriate raw bones for your dog. The Australian Veterinary Association can provide details of qualified vets in your state or territory.
Taking care of your dog’s health doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice their happiness or your peace of mind, but it does require some thoughtful decisions when it comes to their diet and treats (same could be the same for us pet parents!). Keeping your four-legged friend healthy and safe has never been easier than making simple lifestyle swaps like offering the right bones and nutritional supplements according to their breed and age.