Pet Talk: Can Cooked Bones Kill a Dog?

As a responsible pet owner, you should understand what you’re doing regarding your dog’s diet. It is crucial that you check what you feed your dog, equally as you would with your own diet. Many health problems can be induced by eating an unhealthy and unbalanced diet.

Reasons Why Giving Your Dog Cooked Bones Are Dangerous

It’s an old belief that dogs indulge in having bones to chew on. Yet, most veterinarians advise dog owners that this age-old practice can be hazardous at worst. Bones become more fragile after cooking, which enhances the threat your dog will suffer an internal injury from chewing on them.

Bones lose some of their nutritional value when cooked, too. While offering your dog a cooked bone to chew on may briefly make them happy, it comes along with some possible dangers.

They Can Get Choke

There is a danger of esophageal obstruction if bone pieces are ingested. It can pierce the esophagus and other soft tissues in the back of the throat. Your dog may have difficulty breathing if a bone fragment lodges in its trachea (windpipe). Do note that coughing or choking is a medical emergency.

Take your pet to a pet emergency hospital immediately if it is choking on a bone. 

It Gets Stuck in the Stomach

Although wholly digested, the bone may be too large to proceed from the stomach and into the intestines. Your dog may require surgery or an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, depending on the size of the bone. In order to try and pull out the trapped bone from the stomach, your vet will utilize a long tube fitted with a camera and gripping equipment.

As a fur parent, it is your duty to watch your pet’s nutrition because of its impact on your dog’s overall health, particularly its teeth. Routine trips to the dog dentist are necessary for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy. If you need to contact them, it is best to visit their website.

It Can Injure the Intestines

Bone fragments aren’t just hazardous because they can cut your dog’s mouth; they can also puncture its stomach and intestines. Bone pieces can sometimes be so large that they totally puncture the stomach’s or intestine’s protective lining, allowing stomach and intestinal contents to flow into the abdomen.

This results in peritonitis, an abdominal infection that can be fatal despite prompt medical attention.

It Can Cut the Mouth and Tongue

Bone fragments can have incredibly sharp edges when they break. Dogs can shatter bone into razor-sharp pieces that can quickly pierce the soft part of the mouth, the cheeks, or the tongue. On the other hand, you should also monitor what kind of treats you offer to your dog. Many pet owners commonly choose milk bone treats for their pets.

Nonetheless, it has components like milk, beef, and wheat that some dogs may be allergic to and can trigger a milk-bone allergy. These are some of the indications they could face:

• Ear inflammation and itching
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Vomiting

A quick visit to the dog allergy clinic is needed if they begin showing any of the mentioned symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Raw bones are fantastic if your dog has a strong desire to chew. Dogs can eat most raw bones that haven’t been cooked. Bones from chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef are tender enough to eat raw. All bones, nonetheless, carry the potential for choking if swallowed by your dog. That’s why it’s crucial to watch them whenever they’re chewing on a bone.