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Bone Appetite - Is It Safe to Give Your Dog Bones?

Bone Appetite - Is It Safe to Give Your Dog Bones?

Bone Appetite - Is It Safe to Give Your Dog Bones?

 We all know that dogs love bones. But is it really safe to give them bones to chew on? Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of giving your dog bones.

 Giving dogs bones – The Debate.

Dogs love Bones. The Wolf from which they are derived would eat whole prey, bones, fur - the lot. Feeding Bones can be a source of debate, do the benefits of feeding Bones outweigh the risks such as intestinal blockages or chipped teeth? There is research that strongly suggests bones are good for dogs as they help them get essential minerals whilst providing superior nutrition compare to meat alone. The key is to ensure you provide bones which are suitable for your Dog and supervise the consumption.

 

The pros and cons of giving dogs bones

Giving bones to your dog can be a great way for them to get some extra nutrition, exercise their jaw muscles, and keep themselves entertained. Chewing is an excellent stress reliving exercising for dogs.

The Biting and tearing of meaty cartilage and the abrasive nature of Bones are a natural way to clean your pet's teeth by helping remove any plaque.

The calcium provided helps build strong bones and the Glucosamine keeps joints healthy.  Bones also provide Zinc, Magnesium, fresh fats and provide roughage to keep your dogs gut health. For example - Feeding bone ensures a dogs poo is hard enough that they have to strain a little- this prevents the anal glands getting full. But too much can cause constipation. (You will be able to tell when you pick up your dogs poo if the bone content is correct – too much and the poo will be crumbly and dry.) Bone should be 10% of a dogs diet if raw fed.

On the other hand, bones can also cause potential problems if not monitored carefully. Dogs should always be supervised when eating bones.

Bones need to be a suitable size for the dog. Not too small that they can be swallowed whole and caused blockages and not too large for small dogs so it can be a tricky balance. A lab for instance would like swallow a chicken wing or leg whole!

Cooked bones should never be given as these can splintered and cause harm the gums and intestines of any type of dog.

  Bones may carry bacteria if not prepared correctly but ultimately, if bone-eating habits are done safely with the right size bones and in moderation then giving bones to your dog should have more pros than cons.

 

Some tips on how to safely give your dog a bone

As stated it's important to choose bones that are the right size for your dog and are specific to the breed of your pup. You can bash a bone so it is already broken before giving it to your dog.

 Also ensure bones are raw - not cooked - in order to prevent them from splintering. Dog cannot digest cooked bones and this is when blockages can occur.

 Weight baring bones should also be avoided as these can be too hard and can chip or damage a dogs teeth.

Marrow bones are particularly hard and have the added risk of getting caught over a dogs jaw so these aren’t recommended. But Marrow is highly beneficial (in moderation as it is very rich) I do actually give Skye and Kenzo marrow bone but I know they will only strip the marrow out and then get bored. They will not bother with the bone itself. But this must be your own decision.

 Raw fed dogs have different levels of stomach acid and can digest bone easier than dry fed dogs. Dry fed dogs should be fed bones separately from there normal meals.

 Never leave bones within reach of your pet while unsupervised; bones should always remain under close supervision. With the correct precautions in place, bones can provide healthy recreational activities and help keep your pup nourished!

 

 Consider giving your dog a bone…

If you're considering what to feed your pet, bones may be the answer! Not only can bones provide canine companions with hours of fun, they have several nutritional benefits as well. Researchers have found that bones help to keep teeth and gums healthy, support cognitive health and digestion, improve joint mobility, and even reduce stress in pets. With all the added benefits bones bring to the table, it's definitely worth doing a bit of extra research to find a safe and suitable bone for your dog.

 Ultimately, it appears that whether or not to give a dog a bone can be a difficult decision to make. Taking the right precautions and educating yourself on the possible risks is key. While some pet owners may decide against giving bones as they’d rather be safe than sorry, others may opt to offer their dog  a bone as a regular snack. In either case, with responsible ownership comes an understanding of exactly what you are providing for your pet and what potential dangers may come along with it.

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