What Bones are Safe to Give to a Dog?

Ya I think its better not to give your dogs any bones so you wont have problems.

i agree because i have bullies and if u give them any bone they could get constipated

I thingk is ok to give your dog bones from the pet shop

Raw hide bones seem to be just the ticket for my lab. The nyla-bone makes a mess in the house and patio.

Well, dogs have eaten bones for centuries w/o any problems because it's natural! and recently vets decided they should not... Give me a break! It is more to push people to buy expensive chemical-made fake bones then increase their margin, more than to care about our dogs' health, I think. My 2 dogs have a beef bone once a week. I boil it before just to kill any germs or whatever, and they love it!

This article is so full of crap! Dogs evolved eating bones! Just because they live in houses and sleep on couches does not mean they need to eat processed food laden with chemicals! You tell me that a Nylabone is better for my dogs then a chicken back! My guys have been eating raw meat and bones for over a year and the diet has done wonders. Not every bone is appropriate for a dog. The marrow bone are indeed bad for the teeth, but raw chicken, turkey, rabbit and some others are wonderful. All the talk about how dogs can't eat bones is just an marketing scheme full of lies to get you to buy a crappy product that does nothing but harm to your dog! Then once the dog is sick, it is taken to a vet, so in the end, the pet food/toy/chew manufacturer is happy and so is the vet - they only losers are you and your poor dog! Also, almost every kibble/wet food fed dog develops dental issues by the age of 2 - This is horrible! Appropriate raw bones clean the teeth like no other artificial bone ever would.

i think the only the bones that id give my dog are always from the pet shop.

Well!Well. What ever all of you dicide to give bones or not it's all up to you. Even if you never give your dog a bone it will not be less then what it is. My dogs don't get bones and they are not misable. They are there unconditionaly.

My dog has a sensitive stomach. Although he loves to chew rawhide bones, he throws them back up hours later. He throws up ALL bones. He's a large-chunk swallower too. I have to get him smaller bite kibble 'cause he tends to scoop & swallow. One woman told me that raw bones were better than cooked/dried ones because they don't splinter as bad. I've given up on giving him bones in general, his stomach just can't handle it. Surprisingly though, his stomach is okay with bullysticks and moo-tubes, snouts & ears. Go figure. BTW, anyone who says that a synthetic, rubber or nylabone full of chemicals is better than a natural one, has got to be out of their mind. Seriously, that's like saying food from a vending machine is better for you than an organic meal.

I agree with Wally2007. Just don't feed them chicken bones, that can cut their insides......

I've been feeding my dogs raw bones for as long as they've had they're adult teeth! Look at it like this. Dogs are really just domesticated wolves, and wolfs eat raw bones. You may have it all backwards if I do say so my self. I once tried feeding my dog cooked bones to find they splintered and gave them loose poo. As for the nylon bones. That thing is horrible! When they chew it they are going to digest some of it! I've seen a lot of sensible articles that suggest the nylon my create very serious health problems! Once again I must impress in you that if the dog really is just a domesticated wolf then they may eat what wolves eat...and that includes raw meat and bones! If you read this whole thing and still don't believe me then I feel very sorry for you're dogs...

Acually straught raw bones are just fine most of the time. However it's cooked bones that cause problems. They get softer and may splinter and get laughed in their throughts or bellies causeing what can be serious problems. And feeding dogs bones may not be a problem but theres no harm in skipping the bones...

I feel it's a bit ridiculous to feed our dogs bones because their wild relatives eat them. Have you seen a wild animal up close? They are diseased, parasite-ridden and live shorter lives than our domestic companions. We shouldn't be feeding raw bones for the same reason we don't eat raw meat- concern for bacterial and protozoal contamination. Even if it doesn't make you sick, they can pass it to you-there have been scientifically documented cases of humans becoming very ill or even dying from this, and thats not counting the dogs who have died of bacterial infection such as salmonella and e coli. I just don't feel it's worth the risk. I'd way rather have my dog work a treat out of a Kong-while yes, it's rubber- bearing in mind they are not consuming the rubber, just chewing it. Cooked bones aren't worth the risk either. I've seen bowel perforations occuring in dogs that is immediately life threatening and requires expensive surgery to save the dog's life. not worth the risk, in my books.

Silverfox I found your sentence saying "We shouldn't be feeding raw bones for the same reason we don't eat raw meat- concern for bacterial and protozoal contamination" not making much since. I mean dogs are a different species from us humans. Just because WE can't eat raw meat doesn't mean dogs can't eat raw meat! You also said that dogs in the wild are "diseased, parasite-ridden and live shorter lives". Well, the fact that they are parasite-ridden and diseased as nothing to do with their diet and the same goes to shorter lives. They live shorter lives due to predators which includes us humans. I will continue to feed my dogs raw bones and will do so for as long as I live. NOTE: I am not trying to offend anyone. I am merrily stating facts.

If you want to give your dog bones, choose the round beef bones, known as knuckle bones. They are less likely to splinter than all other bones. Also, avoid lamb bones. I made the huge mistake of giving them to my dog until he chucked up a triangular shard once. Imagine if he'd swallowed it, the damage it could have caused. So knuckle bones it is. Ask your butcher if you don't know what they are.

I think dont give any dogs any bone just to be on the safe side XxX

even chicken too...the splinters of it is small and your dog might choke...

Give your dogs bones, or don't... They don't know the difference. Yes it is a natural thing. I don't think all bones are bad for your dog, but I definitely agree with the poultry thing, they splinter way to easy, chicken/turkey bones are VERY dangerous for dogs. But like many of you have said, dogs have lived with bones over thousands of years, I'm sure there is some reason they are so attracted to them, not just for meat but its instinct. There is a natural upside to why they are doing it, else they wouldnt do it. Like Sylviad said above, knuckle bones are safe, and common bones from cows are good, its a solid chunk of bone that won't splinter and harm your dogs stomach... Or if you don't want to, don't feed your dog bones, its simple as that...

Doesn't matter what type of bone I give my dog, he throws them all up. Then he gets severe diarrhea. I won't even tell you how the t-bone steak bone came out... after many attempted painful tries. So, I've sworn off all bones for my bub.

I wonder if either the author, or the people commenting have ever had to take their dogs for a dental cleaning. If you have, then you probably feed your dog some form of kibble, or let them chew on solvent cured rawhide. Scienti fic or anecdotal debate aside, Anthropology doesn't leave much room for debate. You see, our well coddled poochie friends, Canis lupus familiaris, is in fact only cosmetically different than it's progenitor, Canis lupus, the wolf. That being said, all of this non sense about raw bones or raw meat being bad for dogs is simply that, non sense, that comes from sources that have obvious motives to lie about the subject...the dog food industry. Why would the people that are involved in the manufacture of a product that is SUPER INEXPENSIVE to produce with hefty profit margins not be involved in spreading disinformation about the food that's actually beneficial to your dog? Look, the point is simply. Wolves are carnivores, and they eat raw meat, organs, and bones. They don't eat rice, oats, wheat, or vegetables, and are in robust health. Your dog is biologically no different than a wolf. Anyone else that tells you different is a scumbag that's trying to make money off the fact that you own a dog.

Raw Marrow Bones are just fine to give. Dogs do well with it and digest the raw meat and marrow just fine. I never worry about problems with the raw meat as it never sits long enough to rot. They clean the bone in one sitting and my butcher actually feeds his own dogs the bones. Never ever cook or boil, it can cause the bones to weaken and splinter. DW is correct in her posts. As for teeth, it most certainly helps the tartar that forms. My Aussie was getting some tartar and now it is gone and YES my vet supports this.

I am a vet, and NO, the advice I am about to give has nothing to do with making a profit off you or your dog. (How insulting!) I have seen dogs on raw diets become VERY ill from bacterial infections, dogs with bones caught in their throats, dogs with intestinal perforations due to bones. You wouldn't give a dangerous toy to a child just because he or she enjoys it, why would you do that to your dog? Yes, bones will keep your dog's teeth cleaner, but so will nylabones, rawhides (also not completely safe though), and brushing your dog's teeth.

Mazodvm1, I have a question you are a vet. My puppy I believed swallowed a bone whole will her acids in her stomach break it up? She seems fine shes eating and drinking and playing but her stomach is extended. HELP!!

masodvm1, I have seen more of my friends dogs get ill from packaged dog food than raw food. The packaged dog food that is considered "healthy" is full of wheat (fattening), sprayed on vitamins (do not improve health), and animal byproducts (very dangerous for health)! Personally I care more about my dogs health than what commercials, and companies (who will gain a lot if we choose to buy from this) say. I'm sure you mean well, and you probably won't even listen to what I say, but this is what I think. I know most people don't give their dogs bones or anything like that. However, dogs are the wolves cousins, who eat raw meat and bones. So, why should dogs be different? I feed my dogs on the a diet that includes bones and they are very healthy. They've got soft coats, clear eyes, a spring in their step, and have no health problems. Now, maybe it's just my dogs, but they do a lot better on their diet right now than when I used to feed them packaged food and no bones. Of coarse your dog/dogs might do better on the packaged food. I don't want to start any wars with anyone. So, if this offended you (which I really hope it did not) then please, by all means, keep feeding your dogs the same way. I really do not want to make anyone upset...

i think its ok to give your dog rib bones or petshop bones

the only 'animal related' chew my dog gets is a bully stick I don't worry about injury, cracked teeth,etc. They can be expensive, but last long and dogs love them

I made the mistake of giving my dog a ham bone. He was in excrutiating pain and I had to rush him to the animal hospital. $800 later I say NO BONES IF THEY HAVE THE CHANCE OF SPLINTERING! It's just not worth the risk.

I think everyone has valid points, but I think there are few things that still need to be considered. Granted that dogs are the genetically the same as wolves, you have to keep in mind dogs have been domesticated for a long time. Simply put, if you put a dog out in the wild today, it may have survival instincts, but will not have the same survival skills they once had, or the skills a wolf may have. So just because a wolf can eat raw meat and bones, does not mean that a domesticated animal that has been used to eating processed foods for hundreds of years can handle the meat, or that their digestive and immune systems will be able to handle the germs and diseases that can be found in raw foods. As far as the concern on plastics and chemicals in nylabones, you must remember that YOU also consume these harmful chemicals. Chemicals in plastic food containers seep into your food when you microwave it, etc. Like it or not, these chemicals surround us in our daily lives, as it has become a part of the way we live. I'm not saying either way is right or wrong, we let our dogs chew nylabones, and have, on occasion, given them knucklebones. By saying they shouldn't have nylabones because of the chemicals, is to say that they shouldn't have ANY toy. Also, a point to consider is not just dental health, but mental stimulation bones and toys can give dogs. Most dogs have a fair amount of energy and are not exercised as much as they should be and become bored very easily. When bored, dogs become destructive. Bones and toys provide a good way for dogs to exercise (chasing a ball) and focus their attention (by chewing bones). I think people just need to think a little more in depth on these issues.

Frooper I respect your opinion but regardless of the fact that they have been domesticated or not you said it yourself "dogs are genetically the same as wolves" therefore they metabolize food the same way and just because we have tamed the wolves so their outward appearance has changed because we bred dogs for tameness, their mitochondria and DNA is 99% similar to their wolf ancestors. If I follow the same logic about your statement that their digestive and immune systems not being able to being used to eating processed foods then if our society has been only eating McDonalds for 100 years then our descendants won't be able to eat fresh fruits and vegetables because our stomachs can only break down processed foods... even though our bodies digestive systems are exactly the same. Does that make sense logically to you? And yes chemicals do surround us but is it that wrong to limit the amount that I can for my dog and me? I limit the chemicals that I take in as much as I can so I try, in the areas that I can control to not "let it become a part of the way we live." Although I do agree that they do become destructive when not exercised and the people should have a little more depth in these issues as well. Especially since I have been feeding raw for 5 years and have a 9 year old that gets mistaken for a puppy.

I run a website where I send rawhide dog bones through the mail. Every bone is Vet approved, USDA and FDA inspected. I'm pretty sure most companies do the same.

I thought hard about whether to comment or not as my story is only one case but it's very personal and I hope it is taken seriously. I owned a shih tzu for five years, and I spoiled her quite a bit. She disliked dry food and I felt bad feeding her the same thing every day, so she got a mix of "raw" food from the pet shop. It was expensive, but the ingrediants were simpe, organic and healthy foods (primarily meat, grinded bone and veggies), there were different flavours to give her variety, and she loved it. In addition, she got table scraps and the occasional bone from the kitchen table at supper. At first she chewed the bones carefully, but over time her small breed teeth deteriorated and she began swallowing bigger chunks. My mom grew up on a farm so she thought nothing of feeding bones to the dog, and we all continued feeding her a healthy raw diet with occasional bones. She was very healthy looking, and her teeth were clean, but the bones damaged her teeth over time so she chewed less. Several times we gently hymelicked her when she was lightly choking, but thought nothing of it. One day, the end circle of a chicken bone detached and logded perfectly in her throat. She couldn't make a sound, couldnt breathe, began to panic. We hymelicked her, nothing worked, we sped to the car to rush her to the vet, but she passed out on the way so we tried to remove the bone surgically, eventually resulting in CPR, but she died. It only took 5-10 minutes for her to lose consciousness, and another few minutes to die. She was only six years old. I still think a raw diet is healthier than dry or canned food, but for the sake of your dog grind up the bones beforehand. I can't get over the guilt of feeding her bones when so many sources told us not too, but we just thought it was more "natural". Shih tzus are so small, their teeth are cramped in their mouth and they are prone to all sorts of dental problems. Many small breeds have been bred far enough away from wolves that this makes a difference. My advice: don't feed bones that can be swallowed or bitten into pieces to any dogs just in case. The vets see these cases every day, they warned me, and I was one of the unlucky owners that adored my dog, but took the alternative approach i thought was healthier. Just don't do it.

We give our dogs very large beef bones from the local meat processing place. We freeze them and on hot days the dogs love licking and chewing on them.

I know hat rawhide is not good for dogs

I've always bought beef bones for my 4 dogs . Stupid me ! I own a cattle farm & cyotes & wild dogs sometimes kill the calves (9 last calving season ) . Now we collect fresh bones and store some for use later . The dogs have always brought old-dry bones home from the fields & pastures anyway . This way , I don't lose & waste the entire $300.00 calves as bones cost $4.00-$11.00 .

Like the song says, "Nick Nack Paddywack give the dog a bone."

Each dog is individually different, Some dogs can tolerate raw feeds others cant. But it us as humans that are causing the food intolerances in our dogs by over feeding and the wrong stuffs. A dog is an animal and has animal needs. Back in the day, dogs had few health problems they where fed scraps and left overs, offal etc etc. The diets allowed dogs to mature slowly and consistently with no surge of proteins and over absorption of calcium. I have fed both processed food, raw feeds and bones. the dogs that are fed raw beef,tripe chicken and bones etc have better health, shiny coats good skin and teeth, therefore healthy on the inside. The dogs that where feed processed kibble and tinned food did not, however they where still healthy just not as healthy. My dogs love raw chicken wings, i have never had any problems with this feeding regime, the stools are always firm with less matter than on processed feed diets I have had a dog that could not tolerate eating RAW bones and so I would give him dried fish skins instead. Currently I have a young dog that appears to be unable to manage processed feeds at all so she may be going onto the barf diet. Dogs are designed to eat raw meat and bones. processed foods can led to liver and kidney problems to name a few, some have far to many E numbers, colours and far to high in protein that cause dog to become hypo and look under weight. Always check your labels. Check out the BARF diet and be informed. I have also know Roast bones from the pet shop to cause poorly tums and sickness due to them not being processed correctly.

To all of you saying that since dogs are descendants of wolves and since wolves eat bones then dogs can eat bones too, here's a little fact for you: wolves will eat as much of their prey as they can with the exception of major bones and sometimes the hide. All major bones include leg bones, spine, skull, ribs. Of course, small parts of bone would be consumed in the process of feeding, but wolves will not, as a habit sit and consume a whole bone. Usually their aim is to strip a bone clean. Another little fact is that the alpha male and female get the best parts of the carcass. Members below them feed next, some fighting will ensue amongst them, leaving the WEAKEST members of the pack with the left-overs which are usually nothing more than a few strips of meat, tendons and ligaments on bones. And if I'm not mistaken the weakest members don't usually have a high survival rate. Conclusion: wolves consider bones as left-overs and will not eat major portions of them unless absolutely necessary. Now, let me list the pro's and con's of giving your dog bones for you. Con's: T hey may fracture their teeth. They may get lodged in the mouth, or throat, or anywhere along the intestines which can be fatal. They may splinter and get stuck anywhere along the digestive tract, or worse tear it (can you imagine having your guts spilled in your belly?) They may cause constipation. Pro's:&# 13; Your dog's teeth, (if, that is, the bones haven't fractured them), will most likely be clean. But let me tell you a secret. They would be just as clean, if not in a better condition, with a daily brushing. All you dog lovers, why don't you devote a few minutes of your day to your beloved pet and brush his/her teeth?

No bones are safe to give dogs as i found out today with a big vet bill! please dont feed bones to your dog, can make them constipated, cause internal bleeding .... Please dont

I just spent $1,088 dollars at the vet on my 5 year old beagle. He was very sick and did not eat for 6 days. Diagnosis - lacerated digestive tract which could only be caused bones - and I have never given him a chicken bone - so it had to be a rawhide or femur bone. Thankfully, he is fine now - but he won't be getting any more bones.

I use to give my 5 year old beagle rawhide bones and femur bones from the butcher. He recently got very ill and did not eat for 6 days. Diagnosis - lacerated digestive tract that could only be caused by these types of bones according to the vet - I have never given him chicken bones. Thankfully he survived and is o.k. - vet bill = $1,088

As modern dogs are a result of people interfering in natural selection I would assume that they are more delicate than the " dogs " of yester-year. It's really pitiful that we bred such wimpy dogs that they can't even handle chewing bones...

Dogs have not changed much, but our understanding as pet owners have and the desire to keep our pets healthy has created an industry with so many more options of chew toys and foods than what we once had. Dog Bones and rawhide are hard to digest and are risky business, which many have experienced first hand from what I have read. Now that there are safer chew treats like bully sticks and nylabones, I don't even take the chance. I like to think of it as how we used to raise children. We didn't have child seats for them, they used to sit in the front too... seemed safe back then, but ask an ER physician how many children they would have coming in from car accidents back then versus now? Its a risk, and who is willing to chance it when there are safer ways to do things.

Are dehydrated (homemade) chicken bones safe for dogs? thanks- Mare