Why it’s not so safe to give dogs bones

Based on what always appears in books, cartoons or movies, the idea that bone is an essential element in a dog’s life is universal. The greatest delicacy he could access, a true relic that he will bury and care for precisely like a “sacred bone”.

However, the reality is very different from the cartoons. Although they love them, dogs should not eat bones indiscriminately. On the contrary: their intake must be closely monitored by each tutor, and never give them away foolishly.

Since there are many myths about them, we will check the most important ones with David Rodríguez, veterinary doctor specializing in animal nutrition and gastroenterology, founder of Nutrient .

Bones are not one of Rodriguez’s favorite foods to feed to pets. “In my case, I don’t recommend offering bones to a dog because they can lead to complications and health issues,” he explains.

“There is a high probability of generating obstructions, not only at the dental level but also at the level of the esophagus, stomach or intestine”, specifies the specialist. One of the most dangerous scenarios is if the bone is not chewed well and moves forward through the digestive system, where it can rupture, which can lead to bleeding and even death.

In addition to possible gastric problems, this can also lead to complications with their teeth, especially “if they are given a large amount of bone”, he specifies. “There is potential for the development of many canine dental problems,” he says. If the bones offered are very hard to gnaw, they can generate breaks in the teeth or even damage the roots of the teeth, so that some may come out when they chew something else.

Rodriguez says yes. Chicken or chicken bones are smaller and easier to break apart in the mouth, so it’s best not to give them. As mentioned earlier, sharp bones can puncture a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, which can not only cause extreme pain or infection, but can also lead to death from suffocation or internal bleeding.

Instead, he suggests “offering the chicken muscle as is, or the leather, obviously without too much seasoning.” Be careful with very spicy sauces, which can also cause gastritis.”

Turkey eggs, on the other hand, are also bones that can easily break, so they are also not recommended raw or cooked.

“Sometimes the digestive problems associated with eating bones can be caused by those that are in a poor state of preservation or that may have some type of bacteria in their structure,” Rodríguez explains. Bones, like meat, also break down and if they do not maintain a cold chain, they can spoil and cause illness if eaten expired.

Therefore, “it is true that they can cause indigestion”, he says, although it is the same risk that is incurred with any other food eaten spoiled or in excess. “You can give him food that’s good for him, but if you give him too much of it, he’s capable of causing gastritis due to indigestion,” he says.

Loudly, Rodríguez claims that he is not in favor of offering them raw bones. But many of his colleagues usually do, especially large cuts like the femur or the knee, which are long, very hard bones that cannot be swallowed. “Never give them cooked or boiled, as there may be a potential risk of microbiological contamination in the process. The odds are low, but they exist,” he says.

If you decide to give him a raw bone, you must give it to him under supervision, in order to regulate the level of anxiety of the dog.

The American Kennel Club, an association that registers the pedigree of purebred dogs in the United States, recommends that the bones – always large and hard – be delivered after the meal and only for a quarter of an hour, as recreation. . The bone should then be refrigerated and can be used for an additional 3-4 days. After this time, it should be discarded to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria.

On the contrary: the safest bones you can give your dog, according to Rodríguez, are those made of a certain type of cellulose. These have a completely natural and hypoallergenic composition, they are a little softer than synthetics and they are environmentally friendly. There are some, like the one you can see below, whose composition is mixed; that is, it contains both bamboo and nylon.

The pet industry has grown exponentially in recent years, with an immense supply of all kinds of items, foods, and prizes. The appeal made by Rodríguez, an animal gastroenterologist, is to take advantage of this variety to look for other types of prizes that can help their anxiety or increase their well-being. “The idea is that the dog can play, instead of biting a bone which can lead to multiple complications.”

There, he suggests experimenting and finding out what your dog likes best, based on his behaviors and interests. You can go check with different toys and prices until you find the one you like the most. It’s an invitation to find out more about your partner’s tastes and preferences.

One option that has gained popularity lately is the bully stick, sticks of cartilage—usually from a bull—that serve as snacks or chew prizes for dogs. They claim to be an excellent source of protein and fiber.

However, Rodríguez doesn’t recommend them as much. “Investigations have been carried out in Europe where certain pathogenic bacteria have been detected,” he explains. Although it does not seem to be a prohibited product, in the same way you must pay attention to the times when it is delivered to the dog, in addition to refrigerating it and disposing of it if it is not completely ingested.

in one of studies carried out by American and Canadian researchers, discovered in nine of the 26 different sticks the presence of three types of bacteria: Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile Yes Staphylococcus aureus. The call in this study is to wash your hands whenever a human delivers or handles a product. bully stick to the dog, to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Just as there are doctors with human specialties, there are also in the field of animals. If your dog suffers from gastric problems, it is best to go directly to a specialist in animal nutrition and gastroenterology, so that the professional can understand what is happening with the health of your little one, without waiting for the references.

In case you don’t know, canine dentistry also exists, so if your dog is good at chewing on bones or gnawing on hard things, it’s a good idea to take him to a specialist center where he can assess the condition. state of his teeth and whether or not he can continue to chew pieces of bone. “It’s one thing to see how beautiful they are on the outside, but the rest, what’s underneath that structure, can be loose or cracked teeth, even more so if they tend to bite into bone.” , explains Rodríguez.

*Prices for products in this item are current as of October 7, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.