Benefits Of Bones For Dogs

Benefits Of Bones For Dogs

If you have ever seen a dog that is fed raw food the first thing you notice is gleaming white teeth. Dogs in the wild also have much better dental health than domestic pets .Here we take a look at all the benefits of bones for dogs.

However,  before you hand your dog a big juicy bone to chew there are a few rules to follow to ensure that your dog stays safe.

Raw is Best.

• Cooked bones can splinter leaving sharp shards which can cause intestinal and mouth injuries, blockages, diarrhea,  vomiting, and choking. Also, cooking removes nutrients so raw is much healthier for the dog.
•  Avoid raw pork bones, ribs, small bones like chicken wings.
• These are more likely to splinter even before cooking and could be a choking hazard.
•  Raw Beef is Best
• A butcher will provide a suitable bone for your dog’s size and the cost is minimal.
• Supervise
• Don’t leave your dog alone with a bone,  be there in case the dog starts to choke or breaks a tooth.
• Hygiene
•  Be aware that bones can contain germs and bacteria like salmonella, dispose after a couple of hours.
•  Behaviour
• Dogs can become territorial around bones and begin to resource guard. It is important to be aware that the dog’s behaviour can change , especially if more than one dog is present.
• Teach children to never approach a dog with a bone.
• Overly zealous chewers can easily bite a chunk from a bone, which could cause problems so a rubber chew would be safer.

Learn more about Resource guarding here.

 

Benefits of Chewing Bones

 

• Dental Health. Chewing on a bone will give the dog a great dental clean, removing plaque build-up from the teeth.
• Improves Bowel Movements. The digestive system will benefit from extra roughage.
• Prevents Anal Gland Problems. The stools will be harder so there is less chance of anal gland blockage or infection.
• Prevents Bloat by making the stomach muscles stronger
• Stops Boredom The dog will enjoy the stimulation provided by a satisfying treat and it can calm anxiety in some dogs.
• Minerals contained in bones include calcium and phosphorous which help to keep the dog healthy.

Pigs Ears

These are purchased from pet shops in either the original form or cut into smaller strips. The ears are blanched then dehydrated to make them chewable. Pigs Ears are higher in fat than bones so give to the dog as an occasional treat. They are suitable for puppies if supervised  the high-fat content could cause diarrhea. Pigs Ears are odourless and suitable for very small or senior dogs. Some manufacturers will smoke the pig’s ears or add flavouring, but it is not necessary.

Avoid Rawhide Bones and Chews

Recently huge concern has arisen regarding rawhide dog treats and bones.

Reasons for this include :-

• Intestinal blockage
• Choking hazard
• Bacterial Infection
• Digestive problems
• Fractured teeth

Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs. Replace rawhide with stuffed Kong toys or vet recommended chews if you don’t want to introduce raw bones.

Additional Reading

More about dog’s dental health can be found here.

If you would like to give your dog a raw food diet but are worried about hygiene and bacteria, this post about Freeze-Dried dog food may help.