Ask Dr. Audrey: Are Raw Bones Safe?
August 3, 2011 by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Filed under Health, Tips
Dear Dr. Audrey,
Our dog is an aggressive chewer. He is an 18-month-old German Shepherd. We give him raw beef rib bones and he used to just chew the meat off but now he has started eating the whole bone. I have stopped because I thought this wasn’t safe….but I have seen him drag a lot of things out of the woods that seem worse than these bones! Is it safe for me to give him raw bones?
Both the US Food and Drug Administration and veterinary dentists agree that eating bones is not good for dogs. They can fracture teeth, and cause intestinal obstructions and constipation.
This leaves dog owners such as yourself in a bit of a quandary. Do you give him a bone to satisfy his urge to chew, or do you take the chance on him eating a tree branch which is also potentially dangerous?
There are alternatives to bones that he may enjoy, such as nylon bones, or stuffed rubber Kongs. They are easier on their teeth but a determined chewer can still gnaw them into little pieces and swallow them. Pigs ears and cows ears are also an option.
I think that if you’re aware of the potential risks, and the alternative is your front fence or the leg of your dining room furniture, then bones are okay. Avoid the large marrow bones because they do break teeth, and also small bones like neck bones which may be swallowed whole. Brisket bones are a good choice. Whatever your dog is chewing, make sure you don’t leave him unattended.
Every week we run a column from Dr. Harvey. If you have a question about your dog’s health, send in a question on our Ask Dr. Harvey form!
The purpose of this column is to educate. DogTipper shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this site. This column does not replace the importance of specific advice from your own veterinarian. If you have any concerns at all about your dog’s health, please make an appointment with your vet.
About Paris Permenter and John Bigley
DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.
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