Is It Ever OK To Give My Dog Bones?

My answer is NO! Cooking bones like chicken or pork chops softens them, making the bones less likely to splinter and potentially puncture your dog's esophagus or intestines but the risk is still there. Raw bones can cause severe problems. Rib bones can wedge in the roof of their mouth or get wedged between the cheek and teeth. Chewing on large hard bones can fracture teeth and cause intense dental pain. Bones may splinter and puncture the esophagus or the intestines causing severe infection. Chicken and pork chop bones are a definite no.

Bones may also cause constipation or impaction requiring an enema. Sometimes surgery is required. Dogs can die from puncture to any part of the digestive tract. Dog and cat digestive systems are very similar to ours. So we don't eat bones, they don't need to eat bones.

Be safe and provide your dog proper toys to chew. Kong has wonderful chew toys that are safe. But all chew episodes should be supervised.

If you have questions about safe items to chew contact your veterinarian or Dr. Norette Underwood of the Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com.