Bones and hard chews, like those in our Pet Deli, are enjoyable, delicious, and excellent for mental and dental health.
To avoid choking or tooth fractures, pet parents should always take a few easy precautions when their pet chews on any bones or hard chews.
Physical Benefits Of Chewing A Bone
Of course, I’m being cynical, but many dry pet food labels state that they clean pets’ teeth. Since potato chips have different textures, they must function like a toothbrush, right?
Dry food causes plaque in my experience as a veterinary technician, but chewing on bones really does help clean dogs’ teeth. Additionally, bones can help puppies through the teething process by loosening baby teeth.
Working on a bone gives your dog the exercise she needs to stretch and tone her tail to jaw muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
We like to watch our dogs perform tricks while they are eating a bone. They lunge, flexing their hips and legs as they turn their heads from side to side. They work on improving the dexterity of their paws. And they use their dewclaws to clasp onto ragged edges.
These movements can even help prevent future injuries. Injuries to the canine cruciate ligament, hip, elbow, and back frequently require surgery. And many weeks of rehabilitation. It’s a long process because ligaments get limited blood supply.
Therefore, it makes sense to strengthen these areas before a problem occurs. Puppies get beneficial non-weight bearing joint exercise from chewing on bones.
Appropriate exercise in growing puppies is important. Save the long walks and high jumps for when you’re older. Start with brief walks to practice using the leash and regular puppy playtime exercises, and then take breaks to rest and chew on bones.
Your dog is less likely to act out when you exercise because it releases pent-up energy.
What is NOT a bone or hard chew?
Chew toys are objects that your dog can chew on, but they are NOT meant for human consumption. Chew toys are typically made of materials you don’t want your dog to ingest, like plastic or rubber.
While we offer a variety of alternative chew toys that are safe for swallowing (like our Beco Hemp Rope), these are only intended for play. A bone or “hard chew” is the way to go if you’re looking for a high-value treat that your dog can chew on and eat.
What Are the Risks of Giving Bones to Puppies?
When teething, puppies may damage their developing teeth on a bone or hard toy, but once the teeth are fully developed, they can gnaw on harder objects. It’s best to consult a veterinarian when your puppy is old enough to chew on bones to make sure the dog’s teeth are sturdy enough to handle a raw bone or hard toy. But many veterinarians are against giving dogs any kind of bone at all.
Many veterinarians think the risks of injuries outweigh the advantages of real bones, despite the advantages of real bones, such as preventing your possessions from being chewed. Your veterinarian may advise using edible toys or chew toys instead of bones because there are so many alternatives. Whether you give your puppy a natural bone or toy, keep an eye on it closely to make sure it doesn’t suffocate or choke on a piece.
FAQ
Can I give my puppy bones to chew?
Raw meat and bones should not be consumed because they may cause internal blockages, break teeth, and carry bacteria that can make both humans and animals ill.
What bones are safe for puppies?
Bones that are safe for small dogs may be harmful to giant breeds. Make sure the bone is always raw and never cooked or smoked. Shoulder bone, pelvis, hip joint, knee, knuckle, and femur are a few good options.
When can puppies start chewing bones?
While the rate of maturation varies depending on the breed, puppies should refrain from chewing on bones until they are at least 4 to 6 months old. If puppies are given bones before they are ready, their teeth could be damaged and they could choke because puppy teeth are more sharp and delicate than adult teeth.
Can an 8 week old puppy chew on a bone?
Puppies should not chew on bones until they are 8 weeks old because doing so can result in issues like vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, choking, etc. So, until they are of the appropriate age, you should refrain from giving them bones. To keep them occupied in the interim, you can purchase chew toys for them.