Movies and TV shows often view dogs love eating that big chunk of bones. So, most dog owners naturally feed their animal companions bones from leftovers, while some even cook bones!
But, is it really okay to feed them bones?
American Kennel Club reported that bones are indeed, a good source of minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Chewing one even fends off plaque buildup on the teeth and prevents gum disease. However, it is important to provide dogs with the right kind of bone.
Recently, an animal hospital in Taiwan reported that a dog ended up having undigested bones in its stomach, because his owners regularly fed him with bones.
They have shared a picture of a dog after surgery. It is seen that the veterinarians retrieved 1.3 kilograms of undigested bones in its stomach. The clinic shared it was very dangerous to have that kind of bone fragments in the stomach, because it could easily pierce through the dog’s digestive tract.
“Poultry and pork bones, or cooked bones of any kind, are strictly forbidden. They splinter into shards that can cause choking and serious damage to the dog’s mouth, throat or intestines. Cooking can also remove nutrients from the bone,” reported AKC.
Veterinarian Donna Soloman, owner of Animal Medical Center in Chicago, said cooked bones may fracture the teeth, tear the gastrointestinal tract and may cause bleeding from the rectum among dogs.
Veterinarians suggest raw meat bones to be the “best bones for the dog.”
AKC added that it is important to give dogs a bone after a meal and take it away 10 to 15 minutes after so that they don’t ingest too much of it. Keep the leftover bones refrigerated and only dispose it after three or four days.
If you’re still not sure, go for chew toys that are made for dogs for all sizes!
