Tips for Pet Owners

01/15/2006 11:55:56 AM -0500

Should I Give My Dog Bones? 

It is commonplace for pet owners to get a “Doggy Bag” when leaving a restaurant. Usually it contains the bones from steaks, ribs and chickens. The idea is that it is good for the dog’s teeth to chew on bones. While chewing bones may aid in keeping the dog’s teeth clean, the risk of other problems may outweigh the benefits.

The most common problem encountered by pet owners after feeding bones is vomiting and diarrhea. This is especially true of the smaller breed dogs. The sudden addition of bones and scraps to the diet will cause irritation to the stomach and intestines. The symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting but complications can occur that are life threatening. Pancreatitis and Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis are diseases that can cause shock, dehydration and if not treated early and aggressively can lead to death.

Dogs are usually able to break the bones small enough to swallow. But if the bones are excessively hard like steak bones then they may try to swallow too big of a piece. The bone can lodge or tear a hole in the esophagus. This can lead to a major surgery to remove the bone and repair the hole. Bones can also become lodged in the small intestine. Surgical removal of the bone and occasionally a piece of the intestine is needed.
Small pieces of bones that are easily swallowed and easily pass through the small intestines can also cause problems. These small pieces of bone can mix with food and water and form a rock hard mass that can block the colon.

So, with the above risks factors considered, most veterinarians recommend that you do not feed your pet bones or table scraps.

For more on this subject and related subjects, please visit AAHA's Healthy Pet website at : Dangerous Toys.