Bones for dogs
They're not as necessary as popular culture
tells us
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Bones of any kind can be of questionable value regardless of how
 much we associate them
with dogs. Rib bones like this one, just swiped from the table, are
surprisingly soft. They can splinter into sharp, needle-like pieces and damage the
digestive tract. Bones left over from barbequed ribs, either pork or beef,
are dangerous and really not worth the risk.
Sometimes a bone can spend time inside your dog and then come
back up the same way, even after a day or two. At the least, they get
encased in mucus and make for sloppy droppings.
Harder leg bones can also splinter or even crack teeth.
The potential for perforated intestines and a major emergency surgery is
definitely a risk. Instead, a slice of the roast itself (even if it's just
the gristle or pan drippings) makes even our hungry canines happy.
Chicken and other poultry bones are out as well. Bird
bones are lightweight (hence their ability to fly) and can easily cause trouble. We've heard of dogs getting them
stuck in the roof of their mouths or choking on them.
The tough bones available at your pet store are the safest
but if you have any concerns, ask your vet. Every now and then we'll get the really
tough white bones from the pet shop. We'll stuff one of these with peanut butter,
banana, liver paste or other yummy soft treat. It takes hours for even our big
retrievers to lick and poke out the food. They lie on the floor and get a far away
look on their face as they lick. When they're finished, we clean out the bone with
hot water and a little dishwashing liquid.
The bone is a substitute for one of their daily meals since
there are lots of calories in the stuffing.
Some people swear by large, RAW beef marrow bones from the
butcher. These aren't easy to come by but they are safer than cooked bones
as they are softer and don't crack and splinter in the same way. Some
people lay a large sheet or towel on the floor, place a raw marrow bone down and
let their dog chew and lick for hours.
If you try something like this, consult your vet first and then watch your dog
eat. Take up the bone and dispose of it if you have any concerns.
|
