Dogs love to chew on bones, which is the oldest cliche in the book. However, the FDA is cautioning that this time-honored custom may be harmful and even fatal to dogs.
Dogs can be given large bones, such as those from a ham or roast, according to Dr. Veterinary surgeon Carmela Stamper works for the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone could make your pet vulnerable to later visits to the vet, need for emergency surgery, or even death. ”.
I’ll assume for the purposes of the information I’m about to provide that the FDA is only addressing cooked food bones for the purposes of their warning, as they are ambiguous about whether it applies to all bones or just cooked ones.
Cooking makes bones more brittle, increasing the possibility that they will splinter and hurt your dog internally. Cooking can also remove the nutrition contained in bones. The FDA lists the following dangers connected with giving your dog a cooked bone to chew on in their April 20, 2010, Consumer Update:
If you adhere to a few rules that I’ll go over shortly, eating raw bones can be both healthy and safe. You are probably aware that dogs in the wild and their ancestors have long consumed bones. In their natural habitat, dogs consume the entire prey animal, including the meat, bones, and stomach contents. In actuality, the nutrients present in bone marrow and the bones themselves are biologically necessary for your dog.
Dogs enjoy gnawing on raw bones because of the delicious flavor, the mental stimulation, and the great jaw muscle exercise.
We advise all dog parents at my clinic, Natural Pet Animal Hospital, to divide bones into two categories:
The hollow, non-weight-bearing bones of birds that are edible are typically chicken wings, chicken and turkey necks. They are easy to crush in a meat grinder because they are soft, pliable, and lack marrow. These bones offer calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals that are crucial for a balanced raw food diet for your dog.
Recreational bones, such as large chunks of beef or bison femur or hip bones filled with marrow, don’t provide much in the way of dietary nutrition for your dog because they are only meant to be gnawed on. However, they do provide mental stimulation and are excellent for your pup’s oral health.
Your dog’s teeth receive the equivalent of a thorough brushing and flossing when he chews on a raw recreational bone, especially a meaty one with soft tissue and cartilage still attached. This lessens the risk of gum disease and aids in the removal of tartar. Dogs in the wild have beautiful teeth and healthy gums. This is due to the fact that the prey they consume requires extensive chewing, and the sinewy composition aids in cleaning every single tooth.
If your dog has unrestricted, unsupervised access to recreational raw bones, the health risks for cooked bones mentioned above also apply. Dos and don’ts for feeding recreational animals raw bones (and yes, they must be fed raw, not steamed, boiled, or baked) include the following:
Do keep a close eye on your dog as he chews on a bone. This will enable you to act quickly in the event that your puppy chokes or if you notice any blood on the bone or around your dog’s mouth as a result of overly aggressive chewing.
Additionally, you’ll be able to tell when your dog has gotten to the brittle, hard part of a knuckle bone, increasing the risk of splinters. Throw away the bone once it has been reduced in size. Do not let your dog chew it until it is only a small piece that he can swallow.
Do separate dogs in a multi-dog household before feeding bones. Some dogs will fight over bones because they can become very possessive of them.
Feed your dog fresh raw bones in his crate, on a towel or other surface you can clean, outside while you can keep an eye on him, or any other location where you can. Protect your flooring and furniture by keeping fresh raw bones away from them until your dog has cleaned them up.
If your dog is prone to pancreatitis, don’t give them to her. Raw bone marrow is extremely rich and can trigger pancreatitis flare-ups and diarrhea. As an alternative, you can feed a “low fat” version by defrosting the bone and removing the marrow to cut down on the amount of fat.
Giving a recreational bone to a dog who might try to swallow it whole or split it in half and consume it in large chunks is not a good idea.
The first time I fed my pit bulls recreational raw bones, they attempted to do this by biting them in half and attempting to eat both halves whole. I gave them knuckle bones that were roughly the size of their heads, but they were unable to open their jaws widely enough to rip large chunks of the bones off with their teeth. I gradually conditioned them to chew smaller femur bones less forcefully.
Raw knuckle bones (labeled as “soup bones”) should be available at your neighborhood butcher shop or the meat section of your supermarket. Store the bones in the freezer when you get them home, then thaw them one at a time before giving them to your dog. I also advise giving your dog a bone to chew on after a meal. Dogs who are hungry are more likely to attempt to swallow a bone whole or to shred it into large chunks. This raises the possibility of a digestive tract obstruction.
If one of the aforementioned conditions prevents you from giving your dog raw bones, think about a softer substitute: a premium, edible dental bone. An excellent dental dog chew that is fully digestible offers mechanical abrasion to reduce plaque and tartar, which is similar to the result of eating whole, raw foods in the wild.
Many common chew bones cannot be broken down, so there is always a chance of intestinal blockage if your dog swallows one whole or a sizable enough piece of one. Additionally, the majority of conventional dog chews contain potentially cancer-causing additives and preservatives like gelatin and artificial sweeteners.
I heartily recommend a premium dog dental bone that is all-natural, 100 percent free of corn, soy, gluten, added fat or sugar, and contains no by-products from animals.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that your dog family member is designed to chew, whether you choose raw bones, a high-quality dog dental bone, or a combination. She needs your assistance to ensure that she has regular opportunities to brush, floss, and exercise her jaw muscles as nature intended.
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Can Bones Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?
Many dog owners now have to deal with the serious problem of canine digestive disorders. Dogs may experience diarrhea from bones, especially those with marrow, as well as other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Because bones can aggravate your dog’s stomach sensitivity, you need to be aware of it. This is crucial if your dog companion is still a young dog. Compared to adults, puppies are more likely to develop diarrhea from bones. However, since the results of consuming bones vary depending on the individual, your large dog is not excluded from this.
The bones and marrow of your neighbor’s dog may portend well, but not necessarily for yours. Because of this, you should look out for any indications of stomach discomfort to determine whether or not your dog is affected by bones.
A look at raw bones and how to help your clients make the right selection for their animal companions.
Previously, clients would take their veterinarians’ recommendations at face value. However, many people now conduct their own research on a variety of subjects. Among these topics is feeding raw bones to pets. Additionally, you must be knowledgeable on this subject because wise bone selection is essential to the safety and effectiveness of raw bone consumption. Saying “just don’t do it” will not be well received.
In general, different types of bones are fed as part of a raw diet. These raw-fed dogs must consume a variety of bone types that also contain meat, marrow, and cartilage in order to meet their nutritional needs in addition to eating flesh and organs. The composition of bones becomes less significant when consumed purely for recreational purposes, but it still affects safety and enjoyment.
Can marrow bones make dogs sick?
One veterinary clinic posted a picture of a dog with a bone stuck over its lower jaw along with the caption, “Watch out for marrow bones,” to alert people to the risks associated with bone marrow and canines. Here’s another unlucky dog. ”.
FAQ
Do marrow bones make dogs poop?
Dogs who are eating more raw bones than usual or who are new to doing so may experience loose stools. This is typically brought on by the bone’s fatty, rich marrow. Eating large amounts of bone can also cause constipation.
Can bone marrow upset dogs stomach?
Raw bone marrow is extremely rich and can trigger pancreatitis flare-ups and diarrhea. As an alternative, you can feed a “low fat” version by defrosting the bone and removing the marrow to cut down on the amount of fat.
Can eating bones cause diarrhea in dogs?
Give your dog no bones if they are experiencing stomach issues. Irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and even simply sensitive stomachs may be aggravated by a bone and its marrow.
What happens if a dog eats too much bone marrow?
Bone marrow and its high fat content can be harmful to your dog if consumed excessively, eventually resulting in health problems like pancreatitis.