You may have heard the phrase “throw a dog a bone,” but we don’t recommend just throwing any old bone, as some can pose a huge health hazard to your pets. Contrary to popular belief, certain bones and chews can actually be really harmful to pets and we definitely recommend substituting for some safer, healthier alternatives instead. Some of the risks associated with bones include:
Broken Teeth
Bones or chews that are too hard, such as deer antlers, plastic or nylon bones, or hooves, can cause the teeth to break, especially if your pet tends to try to chew up their bones into small pieces (more on this later). Broken teeth can lead to loss of appetite, infection, or abscess. In some cases, depending on how the tooth is broken, a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia may be required to remove the tooth and prevent future or recurring infection and pain.
Gastrointestinal Upset
Treats such as femur bones, pig ears, or duck feet can have a high fat content which can negatively affect sensitive tummies. This is especially true for small or medium-sized dogs who are given large bones. Our pets process food differently than we do, and foods with high fat content can be extremely tough on the pancreas and GI tract, which can lead to things such as pancreatitis or a bacterial overgrowth (commonly associated with frequent and watery diarrhea). Additionally, raw bones may contain dangerous bacteria such as listeria, E. coli, or salmonella - which not only pose a threat to our pets, but the children and adults in the home, as well.
Wounds
When bones splinter or break while being chewed, there is a risk of these shards causing injury to the face, tongue, gums, or mouth. In some cases, these shards can even get stuck in the roof of the mouth and create pain and infection. Additionally, the damage doesn’t necessarily stop there - if the shards are swallowed, they can hurt the esophagus, stomach, and colon, too.
Foreign Body
Because bones are not easily digested and shards may come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some pets have difficulty passing bone fragments. Sometimes, these pieces of bone can get stuck in the stomach or colon, which may cause abdominal pain, vomiting/regurgitation, or in some cases, an intestinal blockage that requires surgery to correct.
Choking
Some pets might bite off more than they can chew - literally. Large pieces of bone may be difficult for pets to swallow or get stuck going down due to the shape or size and create a choking hazard.
So, what kinds of bones are safe for pets?
Luckily, there are a number of treats we can recommend for pets! There are a number of safe products you can give as a tasty treat for your pup. As always, we recommend supervision at all times when these treats are given, just to be on the safe side. Additionally, some treats and chews are sold in different sizes. Make sure you are giving your pet the appropriate size chew according to their weight as small chews can pose a choking hazard to larger dogs, and the calorie content of larger chews might be too much for smaller dogs. Some treats your pet can enjoy in moderation:
● Oravet Dental Chews
● Greenies
● Check-Up Dental Treats
● Healthident Chews
● Raw Carrots
If your pet prefers toys to treats, opt for toys that are not too hard or rigid - a durable rubber toy is going to be your safest option! These toys have enough “give” that there is a low risk of breaking teeth. Just make sure you keep a close eye and replace any toy when it starts to become worn, as ingested pieces of toy can create issues, too.
For further questions or concerns please contact us at 972-347-6100.
Click here to schedule an appointment. https://connect.allydvm.com/practice/prosper_trail/appointment_request
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