Nothing makes dogs happier than devouring a fresh bone, and the majority of them don’t have a particular preference. Your dog is sure to be interested in any bones that are left over from dinner as long as they smell like fresh meat.
When your dog chews on a cooked bone, such as a ham bone, it could potentially splinter and seriously harm their digestive system. When your dog exhibits any signs of distress after consuming ham bones, you should be prepared to take them to the veterinarian.
Here, I’ll discuss the risks of giving ham bones to your dog and how to determine when an emergency room visit is necessary. [Pro tip: Call your veterinarian’s emergency line right away if you have ANY doubts]
Should You Be Worried If Your Dog Ate A Ham Bone?
If your dog ate the entire ham bone, you should indeed be concerned. In some cases, the bone fragments may even be fatal due to the severe gastrointestinal problems they can cause.
After your dog eats a ham bone, the following 24 hours are very important. You must exercise extra caution and keep a close eye out for any symptoms that might point to a problem during this time.
The risk may be negligible or quite significant depending on your dog’s size and how much bone they ate. In any case, we strongly advise contacting your veterinarian if you notice any symptoms or peculiar behavior.
What Happens If Your Dog Eat Ham Bones?
Under your supervision, your puppy can benefit from the dental and digestive health benefits of chewing on a ham bone. Ingesting ham bones, however, has the potential to result in a number of health problems, such as:
You should take your dog to the vet right away if they exhibit any of the symptoms listed below after eating ham bones: vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of energy for more than 12 hours after eating.
These are all indications that your dog may have internal damage and ham bone toxicity, and getting them medical help right away could save their lives!
You can feed your dog small meals throughout the day (as per the vet’s instructions) until they feel better, though, if they ate ham bones but there are no symptoms of toxicity or illness. Likewise, guarantee that they have access to fresh water at all times.
Offer some food that will help firm up stools if it has been more than 24 hours since the ham was consumed, such as boiled chicken breast mixed with rice or grass-fed beef if diarrhea is present.
Additionally, bread and pumpkin can be given to your dog to help coat the ham bone fragments and stop further internal damage.
Last but not least, keep in mind that if symptoms have gotten worse or are still present after 48 hours, you should seek veterinary care right away because this may be a sign of pancreatitis, which if left untreated can quickly become fatal.
Can Dogs Eat Ham Bones Safely?
Technically, adding ham bones to your dog’s diet can make them more nutrient-dense. However, it can be risky to give them to your dog, so we advise against it. Here’s why:
Although ham bones may have some nutritional advantages, they also carry a number of risks, making it dangerous for your dog to eat things like ham hocks.
Splintering is the main danger that ham bones present to dogs. When your dog chews on ham bones, which are notoriously brittle and can splinter more easily, it could hurt his mouth or esophagus. Additionally, ham bone splinters put your dog at risk for intestinal perforations, which can be excruciatingly painful.
Ham bones tend to become more dangerous when cooked because the bone marrow becomes much more brittle in a heated state, which increases the risk of splintering.
However, if you still choose to include ham products in your dog’s diet, you must first ensure that you have bought premium ham from reliable brands that have been processed in the safest manner. Otherwise, ham bones may become contaminated with bacteria through improper processing or improper storage, posing a serious health risk to your dog.
Additionally, you should only let your dog chew on ham bones if you are constantly watching over them. Make sure they don’t swallow a piece of the bone, or even the whole bone, as this could result in internal injuries.
Therefore, the best way to give ham bones to your dog is under your close supervision and as a treat after a meal.
Related Article: Best Separation Anxiety Chews for Dogs. Continue reading to learn how important calming treats are for treating anxiety.
FAQ
Can I give my dog cooked ham bone?
Dr. Ham bones, according to Smithson, can result in serious internal damage because they don’t easily break down in the GI tract when they are cooked. Actually, she advises against giving your dog any kind of cooked bone at all.
What happens if a dog eats a Hambone?
A cooked ham bone can seriously harm your dog’s digestive system if it is swallowed. Damage can be fatal depending on the age, breed, and size of the dog. The more bone a dog eats, the more likely it is that issues will develop. On the other hand, dogs can safely consume raw ham bones.
Can a ham bone make a dog sick?
If your dog ate the entire ham bone, you should indeed be concerned. In some cases, the bone fragments may even be fatal due to the severe gastrointestinal problems they can cause. After your dog eats a ham bone, the following 24 hours are very important.
What kind of bones are safe for dogs?
Because they don’t splinter as easily as home-cooked bones, raw bones are thought to be safer. For your pet, raw bones made of chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, or even oxtail may be a better choice. Raw bones can be a natural source of calcium and phosphorus, as opposed to home-cooked bones, which have had their nutrients removed.