The Best Safe Bones for Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Bones?

Not all bones are created equally. It’s important to make sure you’re giving your dog the right kind of bone to prevent dental issues. Chewing bones can help keep your dog’s mind active, all while cleaning their teeth and giving them a tasty treat. Bones can be a key part of your pet’s healthy diet, in addition to a balanced source of natural dog food. Make sure the bones you purchase are fully edible before tossing them to your pet.

What Kinds of Problems Can Dog Bones Cause?

Despite the joy they bring to our furry companions, certain types of dog bones can pose potential risks. Here are a few issues to look out for:

1. Splintering: Some dog bones, especially those made from cooked or processed materials, have a tendency to splinter when chewed. These sharp fragments can cause injuries to your dog's mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
2. Digestive Issues: Dogs who consume large chunks of bones or swallow bone fragments may experience digestive issues such as blockages or irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, or even more serious complications. Keep this in mind to avoid having to call your vet!
3. Dental Damage: While chewing on bones can help clean your dog's teeth and promote dental health, certain types of bones may be too hard and abrasive, potentially leading to dental fractures, chipped teeth, or gum injuries. Yikes!
4. Nutritional Imbalance: In some cases, dog bones may be high in calories or contain excessive amounts of fat, leading to weight gain and nutritional imbalances. Dog obesity can be a serious problem, and it’s key to take your pet’s diet seriously to make sure they are happy and healthy. 
5. Risk of Contamination: Bones sourced from unknown or unreliable suppliers may carry contaminants such as bacteria, chemicals, or preservatives, posing a risk to your dog's health and well-being.

To ensure the safety of your beloved pet, it's crucial to choose high-quality dog bones that are specifically designed for chewing and digestibility. By being proactive and informed, you can help prevent potential problems and keep your furry friend healthy and happy.1

What to Avoid When Giving Your Dog a Bone:

1. Cooked Bones: Never give your dog cooked bones, such as those from poultry or beef. Cooking can make bones brittle and prone to splintering.

2. Small Bones: Avoid giving your dog small bones, as they pose a choking hazard, especially for smaller breeds or dogs with aggressive chewing habits. (We’re looking at you, our Chihuahua-owning friends!) Opt for appropriately sized bones that are large enough to prevent swallowing whole.
3. Artificial Flavors and Additives: These substances can be harmful to your dog's health and may cause allergic reactions or digestive upset.
4. Unsupervised Chewing: Always keep an eye on your dog when giving them a bone to chew on. 
5. Overindulgence: Too many bones can contribute to weight gain, digestive issues, or imbalances in your dog's diet. 

Consult with your veterinarian for recommendations on the best types of bones for your dog's size, breed, and chewing habits, and always prioritize their safety above all else.1

What Bones Are Safe for Dogs?

When it comes to choosing bones for your beloved canine companion, safety should always be the top priority. Here are some types of bones that are considered safe for dogs:

1. Edible Bones: Meaning – the dog can eat the whole bone. There are also trace minerals in healthy bones that often unavailable in their diets. Learning how to boost a dog’s immune system is key to their overall health, and edible bones can be an easy way to incorporate these key nutrients. 
2. Raw Meaty Bones: Meaning – they are better than soft chew toys, treats, or crunchy morsels, which unlike promotional campaigns state, are not good for their teeth. These dry, cookie-like products get caught in the gums – actually causing tarter. It’s a bit like brushing our teeth with pretzels. Raw bones provide scraping action that other animals get naturally in the wild. I like to refer to real raw meaty bones as nature’s toothbrush, as they can truly benefit your dog’s dental health. Tip: Chicken bones are some of the best raw bones for dogs!
3. Recreational Bones: Meaning – keep your big and little rascals busy, busy, busy. This is especially beneficial if your dogs don’t chase balls, herd sheep, or wrestle with other dogs. Chomping on a bone engages their brains, which is key for their long-term mental health.

How to Give Your Dog a Bone Safely: 

As with anything you give your best friends there are rules. Here are some tips to practice bone safety with your furry friends:

1. Choose High-Quality Bones: Opt for bones specifically designed for chewing and sourced from reputable suppliers. High-quality bones are less likely to splinter or contain harmful additives.

2. Supervise Chewing Sessions: This allows you to monitor their chewing behavior and intervene if necessary to prevent choking or other accidents.
3. Limit Bone Access: Offer bones as occasional treats rather than daily snacks. I know this one is tough to resist—especially when they give you the puppy eyes!
4. Discard Bones Appropriately: Throw out old bones once they become small enough to swallow or if they show signs of splintering.

When to Throw a Bone Away:

It's essential to know when to dispose of a dog bone to ensure your pet's safety. If the bone splinters or cracks, it should be discarded right away to prevent choking or internal injuries. Throw away the bone if it becomes small enough to swallow whole or fits entirely in your dog's mouth. Check for excessive wear, sharp edges, or a foul odor, too.

If the bone is not the (completely) edible kind, you need to toss it when all the marrow and/or meat is gone. The bone goes from being great for their teeth to harmful for their teeth. I know some owners like to wash them then fill with peanut butter or something yummy, but this could lead to increased bacteria. 

At Darwin’s, we’re on a mission to help you give your dogs the happiest and healthiest life possible, and we believe that a large part of that is how you feed them. From raw dog food to bones and more, we think our product will be a treat for both you and your furry friends!

Source: American Kennel Club. (n.d.). Can Dogs Eat Bones? Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-bones/