The image of a dog eating a bone is very typical, but it may not so recommend bones for our furry friends. We explain why.
Dogs can eat lamb bones and almost any animal, but you must take special care of these chicken bones. If you want to include this food in your dog’s diet, you must consider some things and do not miss this article.
Can dogs eat lamb bones?
Dogs can eat bones without problem, and their digestive system is adapted to eat raw meat and bones. Of course, you must continually offer these bones RAW, which can be dangerous, and their conservation has not been correct. The use of raw bones is widespread in the BARF diet.
Specifically, lamb, rabbit, and chicken bones are the most dangerous for dogs if cooked. These bones are smaller in size and splinter easily. The dog can swallow it and cause severe damage that we describe below.
Dangers of giving bones to dogs
If we are not sure if our dog will eat well and tolerate bones, it is best not to give them. It is also not advisable to give the bones cooked, but offering them raw if they have not been adequately preserved is equally dangerous for your health.
Bones can cause different problems in our dogs:
Obstruction:Â Some dogs are very hungry for food and can swallow large pieces of bone. This can cause intestinal obstruction in the respiratory tract and cause suffocation.
Constipation: if our dog ingests a large number of bones, he will likely suffer from constipation. The feces have bone fragments, scorched, and the animal has difficulty expelling them.
Diarrhea: the consumption of bones, especially cooked, makes them thirsty. This excess water and the problematic digestion of the bones can cause diarrhea.
Gastric ulcer:Â Cooked bones splinter easily, especially chicken and lamb. These splinters are like small blades that damage the intestinal mucosa.
Gastrointestinal perforation: in cases of more severe ulcers, the mucosa may be perforated. This piercing is a serious health risk.
Food poisoning: if the bone is in poor condition or was not well preserved, there may be symptoms of food poisoning: mainly vomiting and diarrhea.
Broken teeth: we must give adequate bones to our dog’s jaw. Otherwise, they could break a tooth.
Pancreatitis can happen in dogs that are not adapted to eating bones.
Benefits of bones for dogs
Dogs can also benefit from consuming bones, but they must be given correctly to avoid danger.
The benefits of giving bones to dogs are:
Dental cleaning: gnawing and chewing will remove dental plaque and leave white and perfect teeth. Of course, we must choose bones adapted to the jaw of our furry to avoid dental damage.
Source of calcium: the bones are very rich in calcium.
Reduces stress: Chewing is a stress reliever for dogs.
Other nutrients: minerals especially.
How to give my dog a bone correctly?
If we want to give lamb bones to our dog, we must do it correctly.
Always raw: avoid cooked bones or cured ham bones (excessive salt).
Adaptation period: it is important to start small. Dogs on a kibble-only diet may have more difficulty assimilating bones.
Give it on a full stomach: that way, you won’t be so eager to eat it.
Help him: at first, and they may need a little help. Hold onto the bone as you chew on it.
Freeze the bone: it is necessary to freeze these bones for a few days to eliminate bacteria or parasites.
Appropriate size: we will choose a bone suitable for the mouth of our furry.
Meaty bones: if we want not only entertainment but also food, we should choose this type of bone (poultry necks, chicken carcass, etc.).
Recreational Bones:Â These are large bones for teeth cleaning and entertainment. Monitor and remove after 15 minutes or when there is little left. These bones are beef knee and hip, beef or pork femur, etc.
Be careful if there is an underlying disease: if there are digestive, pancreatic, or kidney diseases, it is better not to give bones since the animal could worsen.
Dogs are carnivorous and adapted to eat meat and bones like their ancestors, the wolves. However, years of evolution and domestication have made their stomach more sensitive.
An adaptation period is necessary if your dog is not used to eating bones and only eats his food. Of course, we should always offer these bones raw and clean and monitor the process if there is a problem.
Recreational bones, especially, are an excellent option for dental care. We must always prevent them from swallowing too large pieces and that the amount of bone they eat is small to avoid constipation.
