Can Dogs Eat Bones? Risks, Benefits & Safe Bone Practices
Find bone options and expert methods that satisfy chewing urges with minimal risks.
Can Dogs Eat Bones?
Dogs and bones seem to go together naturally, but if you’re considering offering your canine companion a bone, you need to understand the potential benefits and significant risks involved. Let’s explore what modern veterinary science and dog experts say about dogs eating bones, how to minimize risks, and what alternatives might be best.
Should You Give Your Dog Bones?
Bones can potentially provide minerals, nutrients, and mental stimulation for your dog. Chewing may help keep your dog’s teeth clean by stimulating saliva enzymes and discouraging plaque buildup. However, offering bones is not without its dangers, and the risks often outweigh the rewards unless you follow strict safety protocols.
Not all bones are created equal: The safety of feeding bones to dogs depends on type, preparation, and how you supervise your pet.
Risks of Feeding Bones to Dogs
Many veterinarians and pet experts caution against giving bones, especially cooked ones, to dogs. Here are the main risks:
- Choking Hazard: Fragments can block the airway as well as the esophagus or digestive tract.
- Gastrointestinal Injury: Splintered bones, especially cooked ones, can puncture the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
- Dental Damage: Bones that are too hard may fracture teeth, leading to pain and costly veterinary bills.
- Bacterial Contamination: Raw bones can carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, causing illness in dogs and their owners.
- Digestive Upset: Any bone might cause vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Constipation: Large amounts of bone matter can create dry, hard stools or blockage.
Types of Bones and Their Risks
| Bone Type | Potential Benefits | Main Risks | Expert Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Bones | Some minerals/nutrients; satisfy chewing urge | Bacterial contamination, tooth fracture, digestive upset | Ask your vet; never give bones harder than teeth |
| Cooked Bones | None | Splinter easily, cause choking/punctures, break teeth | Never give cooked bones |
| Poultry/Fish Bones | None | Very brittle, easily splinter, dangerous blockages | Strictly avoid |
| Large Raw Beef Bones | Chewing satisfaction, potential cleaning effect | Fractures if too hard, break into small pieces, bacterial risk | Supervise, ask vet for guidance |
Benefits of Giving Bones to Dogs
When properly selected and offered under ideal conditions, bones can:
- Provide mental and physical stimulation through chewing
- Help satisfy dogs’ natural urges for gnawing
- Deliver limited minerals and nutrients (calcium, phosphorus)
- Assist in plaque removal when chewing, though this is not a substitute for brushing
Rules and Safety Tips for Giving Your Dog a Bone
If after consulting your veterinarian, you decide to offer your dog a raw bone, always follow these important safety protocols:
1. Consult With Your Vet First
Not every dog is a perfect candidate for bones. Dogs with dental disease, a history of pancreatitis, or a tendency to gulp food should never be given bones without veterinary advice.
2. Supervise All Chewing Sessions
Never leave your dog alone with a bone. Be sure to observe for excessive gnawing, splintering, or any signs of distress, and take away the bone if it becomes small enough to swallow whole.
3. Choose the Right Bone Size
- Bones should be longer than your dog’s muzzle to prevent swallowing whole.
- Large breeds (German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds) should only be given appropriately large bones.
- Avoid small or cut-up bones: These pose a choking hazard.
4. Raw Only, Never Cooked
Cooked bones must always be avoided: Cooking renders bones brittle, increasing the risk of splintering and GI injury.
5. Limit Chewing Time
Allow your dog to chew for only 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the bone and refrigerate it to minimize bacterial growth.
6. Store Bones Safely
- Refrigerate bones between chewing sessions.
- Dispose of any bone after three or four days to avoid spoilage and bacterial contamination.
7. No Bones With Guests
Don’t give your dog a bone when other dogs are present—even the friendliest pups can become territorial and aggressive around high-value treats like bones.
8. Try Bones After Meals
Give your dog a bone after a meal, not when hungry, to encourage slower, safer chewing.
Dogs Not Suitable for Bones
Some dogs should never be given any type of bone, including:
- Dogs with damaged teeth
- Dogs prone to pancreatitis
- Puppies (especially those with baby teeth or delicate jaws)
- Dogs that gulp their food or try to swallow bones whole
- Any dog with prior digestive or obstruction history
Bone Alternatives: Play It Safe
If you want to avoid the risks of natural bones, consider these safer chew options:
- Rubber Chew Toys: These come in various sizes and are designed for safe chewing.
- Nylon Bones: Simulated bones that don’t splinter.
- Commercially Produced Dental Chews: Formulated to clean teeth without fracture risk.
- Consult your veterinarian on the best product for your dog’s age, size, and chewing style.
What If Your Dog Eats a Chicken or Cooked Bone?
If your dog manages to eat a cooked or sharp bone, stay calm and take the following steps:
- Do not panic—panicking can make things worse for your dog.
- Check if your dog is choking or in obvious distress.
- If you can safely do so, remove any bones still in their mouth.
- Contact your veterinarian for advice—the vet may recommend feeding something bulky (like bread) to cushion bone fragments, but always follow your vet’s individual advice.
Monitor your dog closely for symptoms such as gagging, drooling, inability to eat, lethargy, constipation, vomiting, or blood in stool. Medical intervention may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can puppies eat bones?
A: Puppies should not be given bones, as their teeth and jaws are not fully developed and are at higher risk for dental damage and choking.
Q: Are rawhide chews safer than bones?
A: While rawhide is less likely to splinter, it poses a choking and blockage risk if consumed in large pieces. Only offer rawhide under supervision and choose high-quality, appropriately sized products.
Q: How do I safely clean my dog’s teeth if bones are risky?
A: Regular tooth brushing with vet-approved canine toothpaste is the most reliable way to prevent plaque and tartar. Dental chews and certain toys are adjuncts but are not substitutes for brushing.
Q: Which breed is most at risk from bone injuries?
A: Any breed can suffer from bone injuries, but large, powerful chewers (like mastiffs and German Shepherd Dogs) may break teeth, while toy breeds risk choking on fragments or swallowing whole bones.
Q: When should I take away a bone?
A: Remove bones after 10–15 minutes, when your dog is unsupervised, if the bone is splintering, or if the piece has become small enough to swallow.
Summary: Should You Give Your Dog a Bone?
Many dogs love to chew, and bones can provide satisfaction and oral benefit, but the risks—especially with cooked or incorrectly sized bones—are real and sometimes life-threatening. If you do choose to allow your dog a bone, always supervise, select only raw bones larger than your dog’s muzzle, limit chewing time, refrigerate between sessions, and consult your veterinarian for breed- and age-specific guidance. When in doubt, consult your vet and consider safer alternatives designed specifically for canine enjoyment and health.
References
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/dog-eat-steak-bones/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-bones/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/what-to-do-dog-eats-chicken-bone/
- https://www.akc.org/canine-partners/give-the-dog-a-bone-but-make-safe-choices/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
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