Top Tips for Feeding Bones to Dogs: Safety & Benefits

Part 1: Selecting the Right Bones for Your Dog

1. Feeding bones to your dog can help with dental hygiene, but to prevent potential intestinal injuries from swallowing pieces, it's best to opt for larger, harder bones like beef bones for your furry friend to gnaw on.

2. Be cautious about giving your dog bones from poultry, such as chicken, duck, or pigeon bones. These bones are brittle and can easily break but not easily chewed or digested. This can lead to cuts in the dog's oral mucosa or esophagus, and consuming too many can cause intestinal blockages or digestive issues.

3. Avoid bones with joints, as they often come with tough tendons that can get stuck between teeth, potentially causing your dog to crack a tooth.

4. While raw meat is rich in nutrients and easier to digest, it can expose your dog to parasites and bacteria. If you choose to feed your dog raw bones, ensure they are of high quality, prefrozen, and disinfected. Regularly deworm your pet and schedule veterinary checkups every six months to a year.

Part 2: Managing the Duration of Bone Consumption

1. It's important to consider the time your dog spends chewing on bones. Prolonged chewing can lead to excessive tooth wear or sore jaw muscles. Generally, it's recommended not to let your dog gnaw on a bone for more than half an hour.

If your dog shows resistance when you try to take the bone away, distract it with other treats to avoid any aggressive behavior due to frustration.

2. After gnawing, bones will inevitably show signs of wear. Keep a close eye on them, and if you notice the bone has been sufficiently gnawed down to a size that could be swallowed, it's time to remove it to prevent intestinal blockages.

Remember, dogs eating bones do not provide significant calcium benefits. If your dog is lacking in calcium, consider giving them calcium supplements or consult resources like "How to Supplement Calcium in Dogs" for more information.