Most dog owners feed their dog a bone every now and then. But did you know that not all bones are equal? While certain bones are beneficial for your dog’s dentil health, other types of bones are dangerous for dogs and should be avoided. Ask your vet for more information.

Not All Bones Are Equal

Never feed your dog cooked bones. When chewed, cooked bones can splinter causing blockages in the digestive system and even internal damage. Marrow bones should also be avoided as these are very thick and vigorous chewers can break their teeth on them. Marrow bones are also very high in fat and can cause liver disease in some dogs if eaten in excess. Also avoid chop bones and T bones.

The best bones to feed dogs are raw lamb ribs, lamb flaps, lamb tails chicken necks and chicken wings. Ensure the size of the bone is appropriate for your dog. Bones should be large enough so they cannot be swallowed whole.

Dogs should always be supervised when chewing raw bones in case of an emergency. While the risk is low, there is still a chance that your dog could break a tooth or swallow part of a bone and need immediate veterinary attention.

Benefits of Feeding Bones

Regularly feeding your dog raw bones has several health benefits. It will help to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, reducing the likelihood that your dog will develop dental disease requiring surgery. Chewing on bones also helps to keep jaw muscles strong.

In general, feeding your dog one or two raw meaty bones each week is best.