Has your dog eaten too many bones? Are you worried the bones can make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
In this article, we’ll take a look at bones and whether or not they’re safe for your dog. Let’s get started!
Bones for Dogs
For thousands of years, wild canines have been eating bones without any problem. So, you’d think our domesticated canine companions could also eat bones safely. Well, they can, but only if the bones are raw, not cooked.
Cooked bones are brittle and can easily splinter. When ingested, the sharp bone pieces can cause internal damage or even an intestinal blockage, which can lead to death.
Another problem with commercially prepared bones is that they may contain preservatives, which may make some dogs sick.
Bones for Dogs Can Be Dangerous
Bones for dogs can also cause a host of other health issues, including:
Broken teeth: chewing on bones, even those that are safe, can cause teeth to fracture. A fractured tooth is painful. In some cases, there’s no way to repair the tooth, so the vet will have to remove it.
Mouth & tongue injuries: bones can cause cuts to the tongue or inside the mouth.
Become lodged in the mouth: bones can also become lodged in the mouth and in between the teeth. This can lead to tooth damage, as well as gum and mouth infections.
Become looped around the lower jaw: some bones that are round can become stuck on your dog’s lower jaw. This is very painful and stressful.
Trapped in the esophagus: bones or bone splinters can also become lodged in the esophagus, which can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. It can also lead to choking.
Become stuck in the stomach: bones can also become stuck in the stomach. In this case, surgery is needed to remove the bone.
Become stuck in the intestines: bones can also become lodged in the intestines and create a blockage. This is a very serious condition, which requires emergency surgery. Left untreated, it can even lead to death.
These are only a few of the ways bones can harm your dog. If your dog has had too many bones, then it’s time to call the vet. You need to call the vet before your dog shows any symptoms. Consider this a medical emergency.
In this situation, your fur baby may develop an intestinal blockage, which will require emergency surgery. Surgery is the only safe option to remove a blockage from the intestines. The good news is that in most cases, dogs who receive prompt medical treatment will go on to make a full recovery!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
