Feeding Bones Safely

Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, but not all bones are safe. Some can splinter or damage a dog’s teeth, and dogs should always be supervised while chewing a bone.

Dangers Associated With Cooked Bones

• Broken teeth
• Puncture or cut injuries to the mouth and tongue
• Small bones lodging in the oesophagus or windpipe
• Bones becoming stuck in the stomach
• Puncturing of the stomach lining
• Intestinal blockages caused by cooked bone fragments
• Constipation
• Internal bleeding caused by sharp or splintered bones

Some owners prefer to give raw, edible, non-weight-bearing bones, such as chicken wings and chicken necks, to help improve oral hygiene. Chicken bones are soft, pliable and easy to crush when they are raw.

However, from personal experience, my dogs do not chew them for long enough for them to provide much benefit to their teeth. One of them swallows them whole, so we have stopped using them for dental purposes.

I prefer to give raw marrow bones, as shown above, approximately once every week or so. They help to keep the dogs’ teeth clean and provide a source of marrow and calcium.

This information is not intended to replace veterinary care. Always follow the advice provided by your veterinary surgeon.