Can Dogs Eat Bones & Drink Milk? A Quick Guide!
Common Misconception 1: Can Puppies Eat Bones?
Before domestication, dogs had to gnaw on bones to access the marrow, which provided essential fats and nutrients due to food scarcity. Through the natural process of survival of the fittest, these dogs developed a natural instinct to chew on bones.
However, for dogs that are kept in a home with an abundant food supply, bones are no longer a necessity. Despite their stomachs being more capable of digesting bones than humans, this doesn't guarantee that there are no risks involved when they chew on them.
For instance, small bones like chicken bones can cause injury to the esophagus if swallowed forcefully, or they might pierce the stomach if not fully dissolved by stomach acid, potentially leading to damage to the intestines and anus.
Even large bones that have been boiled should not be given to dogs. Although these bones may seem easy to break, prolonged boiling makes them brittle, and once broken, the sharp fragments can be like a knife inside the dog's digestive system.
In summary, it is not advisable to let puppies eat bones. While some believe that bones can help puppies get calcium, the calcium in bones is not easily absorbed by a puppy's digestive system. If not absorbed, it can crystallize and block the dog's anal passage. Instead, owners can provide their pets with liquid calcium or calcium supplements.
Common Misconception 2: Can Puppies Drink Milk?
Humans often use milk to supplement calcium, making it a seemingly highcalcium food beneficial for bones. This misconception leads many new pet owners to use milk to nourish their puppies.
This approach is incorrect! Dogs have a different digestive system from humans, requiring a diet high in protein and low in lactose. Milk, however, contains low protein and high lactose. When a dog with a low lactose tolerance consumes milk, it can lead to lactose intolerance, resulting in diarrhea.
Owners must pay close attention to their dogs' health and avoid feeding them inappropriate foods. If a dog shows any unusual dietary symptoms, it should be taken to the vet immediately.
