Many bones are fed raw – don’t forget that, like raw food, this poses a risk to your household – handle raw bones carefully and don’t let your dog eat them where young children may be playing."Īs we’ve already seen, softer chews tend to be safer for your dog. Choose the right bones, and remove them if your dog shatters them, as the bits can be sharp. "If you are going to feed bones to your dog, it’s essential you understand the risks and manage them properly. "While some vets consider bones are too hard for dog’s teeth, risking painful broken teeth, there’s no denying that dogs love them," Woodnutt says. To be on the safe side, some veterinarians don’t advise feeding bones at all and recommend safer alternatives. Raw bones can also be sources of bacteria, while cooked bones are more brittle and likely to splinter. Larger bones such as pig or cow may not splinter in the same way, but if your dog manages to gnaw off a piece and swallow it there’s a chance of a much bigger blockage. Small bones such as chicken bones can splinter and cause internal issues. Some dogs eat them with no ill effects whatsoever, while others have problems. Many vets, myself included, have seen ‘slab fractures’ - where a large chewing tooth from the back of the mouth shatters – in dogs who chew antlers."Īntlers shouldn’t be given to very young or elderly dogs so they can cause too much pressure on teeth and jaws. If you do want to give your dog antlers, make sure you're there to keep an eye on them and that you dispose of the chew if it starts to look like a hazard.Ĭan dogs eat bones? Bones may sound a tempting rawhide alternative for dogs - after all, they’re 100% natural, can often be obtained cheaply or for free and that’s what dogs would eat in the wild, right? In reality, feeding your dog bones can be a controversial subject. "They are too hard, risking broken teeth. "Most vets agree that antlers are not a good chew for dogs," says Woodnutt. If your dog bites off a piece and swallows it, it can cause intestinal blockages or even punctures, which is why the majority of vets do not recommend antlers for dogs. On the flip side, because they are so very hard, they can cause dental problems such as broken teeth. Antlers for dogs are also a low-calorie option as unlike rawhide they contain no fat. They’re made of bone and have a slightly rough texture that’s great for cleaning your pooch’s teeth. They’re very hard, so can be good for extreme or aggressive chewers as they can last for several months.
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