Mary Allen
In nature, dogs are of course allowed to eat bones. But does that also apply to our pet dogs? Not quite. And that can be dangerous.
When dogs eat bones, a very specific mood arises. You have made yourself comfortable and a quiet, rhythmic scraping accompanies your good mood. The dog at your feet is happily gnawing on a bone. You like it when animals and humans have a good time in harmony.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding bones to dogs.
Bones yes, but…
Not every bone is suitable for dogs. Feeding the wrong bone can have serious consequences for the dog’s health. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Only feed raw bones
Never give your dog cooked bones, only raw ones. When the bones are heated, their structure changes. The bone can become brittle, splinter, and seriously injure the dog when eating. Even if the comparison with nature is incorrect in other places – it applies here: In the wild, a cooked bone is not part of a dog’s diet either.
You should therefore dispose of the barbecue waste in the organic waste bin, even if the well-fed dog tilts its head and points out with a reproachful look that it is about to starve and would like to be fed.
However, cooked bones are not dog food. Therefore, stay firm when your darling tries to make you believe something else and shows more than clear how much he would like the bone.
Do not feed wild boar bones
Under no circumstances should dogs be given bones from wild boar, as there is a risk of contracting a dangerous disease.
Are bones healthy for dogs?
Almost all raw bones that contain valuable minerals and trace elements are good for dogs, whether from lamb, veal, goat, beef, or rabbit. They are all suitable as dog food.
Chicken and pork bones as dog food have pros and cons. If you want to be on the safe side, you can feed your dog’s bones from young animals and animals from organic farming.
Incidentally, leftover meat on the bone is not a problem, on the contrary, it promotes digestion. So your dog is welcome to eat them with you.
Feed bones for clean teeth
Healthy teeth are an important health factor for humans and dogs. Of course, you can also use the proven method with toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs.
However, dogs get shiny teeth much more naturally and are also more pleasant for the dog through bone gnawing. The mechanical abrasion that occurs when gnawing ensures that the teeth are cleaned. Chewing and head muscles are also strengthened by this diet. This keeps the teeth healthy and prevents bad breath in the dog.
How many bones can dogs eat?
As with most things in life, a healthy balance must be maintained when it comes to dog nutrition. In the case of an “overdose”, the dogs can quickly suffer from constipation.
But how much is the right amount for the dog? It is certainly not easy to find the right measure, so the following information should provide a framework for orientation: you calculate around 10 grams of bone per kilo of body weight. For example, a Beagle should get less of it than a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
It is easy to forget – also when it comes to your own “food” – that the “treats” in between are not free of calories. In order to avoid weight-shooting with the “bone snacks” in addition to the dog food, it is important to take the bones into account when measuring the total amount of food.
If your darling already has a bit too much on his ribs, our tips will help: How the dog can go on a diet without going hungry.
Can puppies eat bones?
When it comes to puppies, ideally you do everything right from the start when it comes to dog nutrition. But what does that mean? Can puppies eat bones?
There is a lot of calcium in bones. That sounds good at first because puppies and young dogs have a very high need for calcium. However, the exact amount that is good for the dog depends on the age and size of the dog. It is therefore not possible to say in general how many bones a puppy should have without being oversupplied with calcium. It would be important to know that, however, since an oversupply in puppies can have a negative impact on bone formation and skeletal development.
If you want to be on the safe side here too, you should avoid bones in your dog’s diet when raising a puppy.
Eat bones? Only under supervision, please!
Dog lovers and dog owners appreciate the joy that can come from living with dogs. However, this joy is always associated with responsibility.
Apart from the legal obligations associated with owning a dog, you should always ensure that your animal is safe and not in danger.
It is therefore ideal if the beloved dog bone is gnawed under supervision. This is the only way you can intervene quickly if unexpected problems arise.
Admittedly, this is extremely rare if you’re feeding only raw bones. So it’s usually just nice when trusting contentment sets in with the gnawing dog and the person keeping an eye on it as a precaution.