Can Dogs Eat Bones?

Dogs are omnivores. It stands that they should be able to eat bones without any problem. They may have been able to do so in the wild, but after their domestication, bones became very tricky to give dogs. They can easily splinter and tear a dog’s digestive track. Depending on the size, bones can present a choking hazard. This includes chicken bones, turkey bones, lamb bones, and pork bones.

How to give dogs chicken bones, turkey bones, lamb bones, and pork bones.

There are a few things to keep in mind when giving your dog bones, however. First, it’s important to know that cooked bones can pose a safety risk. Cooked bones can splinter and cause damage to your dog’s mouth or digestive tract.¹ Second, avoid giving your dog small bones, as these can also pose a choking hazard. Finally, always supervise your dog when they’re eating a bone, and remove if there is any issue.

Marrow bones

Marrow bones for dogs are a great way to keep teeth clean, as well as provide them with a healthy treat. Marrow bones contain essential nutrients that are beneficial for your dog’s overall health. These bones also help to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean and healthy. However, it is important to make sure that marrow bones for dogs are the right size.²

Ham bones

Wondering if you can give your dog a bone from your holiday ham? You’re not alone – it’s a common question. The good news is that, in general, ham bones are safe for dogs. However, avoid giving your dog any bones that have splintered or broken into sharp pieces, as these can cause mouth or intestinal injuries.

Possible damage from bones

A dog’s tail may wag when given a bone, but there could be serious issues. Bones can crack a dog’s tooth. Bones can be hard and brittle, making it easy for a dog to break one of their canines. A broken tooth must be treated. A tooth can be extracted or saved with a root canal.

Tongue

Injuries to the mouth and tongue can be costly. Broken edges of bones can be like a razor. Breaking off sharp shards of bone can pierce tongues, cheeks, or soft palates.

Lower jaw

A large bone can get looped around a dog’s lower jaw. Round bones can get stuck around the lower jaw and the lower canine teeth. A dog will need to be put under to cut the bone. This is a terrifying experience for any dog.

Esophagus

Bone fragments can lodge in the esophagus during the digestion process. Sharp bone shards can penetrate the back of the throat or pierce the esophagus. Dangerously, a bone fragment can lodge in a dog’s trachea and prevent them from breathing.

Intestines

The walls of the stomach and intestines are just as vulnerable as the mouth. Bone fragments can penetrate the walls of the stomach or intestine. Unfortunately, causing food and intestinal contents to leak into the abdomen with a condition called peritonitis. This condition can be fatal, no matter the treatment.

Stomach

Bones may not be able to pass through your dog’s stomach. A big enough bone fragment can get trapped and cause chronic vomiting and stomach irritation. Retained bone fragments must be removed with abdominal surgery or an endoscopy.

Colon

Intestinal blockages can be deadly. Bone fragments can cause a complete blockage and require emergency surgery to remove the obstruction. Fragments can also go down the GI tract and reach the large bowel, causing constipation. They can also scrape the lining of the colon and rectum. This can cause significant trauma that can be relieved by enemas.

Contamination

Raw bones can contain pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella species, and Listeria. These pathogens may not only make dogs sick, but they can also be transferred to human family members. Kids, seniors and immunocompromised members can be hospitalized if infected.
You might be wondering can dogs eat chicken bones. The answer is no. Bones present a significant risk to canine health. Can dogs eat turkey bones? A holiday turkey may be delicious to two-legged family members. Four-legged family members should steer clear. Can dogs eat lamb bones? Poultry bones are dangerous to dogs. Can dogs eat pork bones? They are not quite as dangerous as poultry bones, but there is no need to give dogs bones.

If you truly want to give a dog a bone, follow these rules:

1. Watch the size of the bone.The bone should be larger than your dog’s muzzle. Check for sharp edges that can tear up your dog’s mouth and tongue.

2. Trim fat or skin. Although a dog’s stomach acid largely takes care of potential bacteria, there is still risk. Pups and dogs with autoimmune conditions should not be given raw bones.

3. Monitor your dog. Dogs should be watched until they finish their bone. Check for shallow breathing, pain, constipation, or vomiting.

4. Choose American-harvested rawhide. The thicker the better when it comes to rawhide. Choose a larger size to prevent choking and avoid ones with knots on the end.

5. Explore dental health chews. Look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval.

Spot’s team of pet parents is dedicated to your pet’s overall health. Dental care is so important for your pet’s well-being. By knowing can dogs have bones, you can prevent trips to the emergency room.

What Your Dog Can Eat As Well

There’s no shame in wanting to give our dogs whatever food will make them happy. There just happens to be many other choices out there that are much healthier and more nutritious than pretzels. Here is a list of all the junk foods that your dog can eat.

Fruits

There are many fruits that dogs can eat which are packed with vitamins, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. The best are berries like strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries. Dogs can eat bananas, oranges, apples, melons, mangos, and pineapples. Make sure fruits with pits, stems, cores, and seeds have been ridden from these items. Several of them are choking hazards and peach pits can be toxic. Grapes of any kind are poisonous to dogs, and even raisins shouldn’t be given to them.

Seafood

When seafood is free from shells, tails, bones, and legs, they are safe for a dog to eat. Dogs can have lobster, shrimp, salmon, crab, tuna, flounder, and a variety of other fish that is lower in mercury. Fish with too much mercury fed too often to our dogs can cause mercury poisoning. Uncooked or undercooked seafood can contain harmful pathogens and bacterium like salmonella which can make a dog extremely ill. Always ensure that seafood is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your dog.

Beans

Beans can be great sources of dietary fibers and proteins which are necessary for a dog’s health. Dogs can have a wide variety of beans, including lima beans, pinto beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, soybeans, butter beans, kidney beans, navy beans, and even green beans. Beans should always be cooked thoroughly and fed to dogs in moderation to avoid tummy aches. Beans shouldn’t replace meat in a dog’s diet, since the meat they eat is a richer source of proteins.

Vegetables

As stated earlier, garlic and onions contain toxins that are bad for dogs, and even seasonings containing traces of these vegetables could cause problems. Avocado is another poisonous food because it contains a toxic chemical called persin. Other veggies are considered great sources of fiber and vitamins for dogs. Dogs can eat carrots, pumpkins, spinach, celery, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, and many other vegetables instead.

Nuts

Most nuts aren’t toxic to dogs, save for walnuts and macadamia nuts. Other nuts aren’t necessarily poisonous, but they can contain lots of salts, fats, and proteins that are difficult to digest. They also aren’t very practical because they can be choking hazards due to their shapes, sizes, and shells. Cashews, almonds, and pistachios are fine for dogs to eat moderately, especially when they are made into butter which is safer to eat in terms of obstruction.