Is it true that bones should never be fed to dogs and what are some healthier alternatives?
Original Question: On one of the Saturday Newstalk 1010 shows a caller wanted to know what type of bones to give her dog. You (Dr. Greenway) were very adamant that bones should NEVER be given to dogs, is this correct? A Facebook posting is asking which type of bones were good for a 5 month puppy! A friend of mine in Mississauga uses dehydrated beef windpipes as treats/chewy items for his 5 dogs. Great shows each Saturday. Thanks - Ted
Apr 25, 2018
Hi Ted,
Thanks for your question.
There are multiple reasons why hard bone treats are not good for dogs. Bone treats are hard and can break or fracture your dog’s teeth and this is much more common than people think. The hard bone can splinter into shards that can penetrate the tissue of the mouth, pharynx, stomach or the rest of the digestive tract.
An appropriate treat would be one that is low in calories and soft enough to prevent dental trauma. I assume you would also like something that your dog can be entertained by. A really great idea is buying a large ‘kong’ which is a hard rubber toy that you can pack with different food materials such as wet food, kibble, vegetables and any other appropriate treat. A treat like this will make your dog lick, chew, ingest and engage with the toy for longer.
I hope this helps.
Dr. Clayton Greenway
Disclaimer: healthcareforpets.com and its team of veterinarians and clinicians do not endorse any products, services, or recommended advice. All advice presented by our veterinarians, clinicians, tools, resources, etc is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian or other clinicians. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.
