It is very common for new dog owners to ask questions regarding what they should use in feeding their dogs. One of the most common questions asked is ‘can dogs have steak bones. ‘ there will always be the temptation to feed your dog with some leftover steak bones especially if you still find some fat and meat on it. One way to look at it is that dogs have always eaten bones out there in the wild hence there is no need to be afraid about your dog eating them. There are however others who believe you shouldn’t give your dog any bone that is cooked.
Can Dogs have steak bones?
It is believed to be safe to feed your dog with steak bone as long as it is large and has never been cooked while also coming from a reliable butcher. Cooked bones often become brittle and as such, they are easily broken as the dog chews on them. Apart from the possible incurable damages the bones may cause on your dog’s digestive system, they may also get lodged and hidden in the gum of your dog. As wonderful as your relationship with your dog may be, it is unwise to give it bone from off the table. The diet of a dog by default should compose of raw bones, fresh meat, and uncooked salted bones. In doing this, ensure you do not give the pre-cut raw bones to chew as they may likely contain some bacteria. Also, ensure that cooked bones are kept far from your dog.
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Why Should You Avoid Cooked Steak Bones For Your Dog?
Cooked bones especially those leftover ones from the table are usually not safe for your dogs to consume. The reason is that they can easily splinter and break. Usually, dogs that eat cooked bones are often subject to the following conditions: tongue or mouth injuries, broken teeth, rectal bleeding, constipation, windpipe blockage, and peritonitis.
Any Danger With Giving Them Store-Bought Bone Treats
The FDA recommends that bone treats that are processed and different from the bones gotten from a butcher may expose your dog to some dangers. Back in 201, the FDA got about 3 reports of dogs that suffered from several conditions that were linked to some bone treat products. Most times, companies dry the products via baking or smoking while adding preservatives. It thus leads to certain conditions for the dog such as choking, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and death and cuts in the tonsils. Thus, if you are considering getting letting your dog eat such bones, you should consult your vet.
Can I Give My Dog Rawhides?
It is worthy of note that rawhide chews may lead to similar conditions as bones treat gotten from stores. The process of manufacturing these bones is such that it can have them toxically contaminated. They may also be contaminated with E. coli or Salmonella. They may lead to digestive issues and even blockages. Synthetic chews may also be composed of artificial sweeteners, gelatin and some other additives which may even cause cancer.
What Are The Types Of Bones To Give Your Dog?
Usually, bones that have not been coked and raw can be eaten by dogs. Turkey, raw chicken, beef bones, lamb are ideal for your dog to eat and digest with ease. However, even with these bones, there is still a chance your dog could choke if it is allowed to swallow without first chewing the bone. Also, dog owners should know that when the bone is too hard, it can cause some damage to their teeth.
Furthermore, of the types of bones, recreational bones are not made to be edible, instead, they are to be chewed by your dog. Such bones may include hip or large femur bones gotten from bison. Such bones may still have cartilage, meat or soft tissue attached to them. You should be able to easily find such bones at your local butcher. Bones that have high marrow content are often high in fat content. Ensure that you adjust the diet of the dog. However, if your dog is on a low-fat diet, you may desist from giving it marrow-filled bones.
With raw meat and bones, you should be aware that your dog will be exposed to some level of bacterial contamination. These risks can be decreased by deploying proper handling. You should enquire from your vet the right suggestions regarding the ideal for you to store and handle such raw bones.
What Are The Safety Guidelines To Follow?
If you would love your dog to eat bones, there are a few things you should be mindful of. Here are a few rules you should never forget:
Watch what they chew
You mustn’t allow your dog to chew alone. The reason is that they may begin to bite off a little too much and begin to gnaw or choke rather aggressively and cause injury to them. Also, ensure that you discard of chewed bones. In a case where your dog has chewed on any kind of bone to become brittle, you may be faced with the problem of splintering. Added to this is the fact that a bone that has been chewed down will become a choking hazard.
Be circumspect
One thing you should never forget is that if your dog has pancreatitis, you shouldn’t give it bones with marrow. The reason for this is that marrow is quite high in fat content and can lead to diarrhea. Also, make sure you do not give a bone to a dog that may bite it into half and swallow large bones. Furthermore, don’t give a dog bone that can be swallowed whole.
Time is lord
Make sure that your dog only chews for 15 minutes per time. This should greatly reduce the possibility of injury per time. Also, make sure that you refrigerate the bones if they are not been eaten.
What Does My Dog Stand To Gain Eating Bones?
You must never forget that chewing is a vital and natural feature of dogs. It is also worthy of note that recreational bones function as a form of floss and brush for the teeth of your dogs. Also, dog chewing bones helps in the stimulation of the production of enzymes of saliva. This assists in the prevention of the buildup of plaque. Dogs that chew bones are also less likely to lick or scratch their paws.
Furthermore, raw bones serve as a reasonable source of phosphorus, calcium and some other vital minerals. They also provide some vital benefits to their digestive system of the dog such as the prevention of bloating and the strengthening of the stomach muscles. Finally, chewing has a way of mentally improving your dog. They help in the reduction of anxiety which is the origin of heart disease and high blood pressure.
How Many Bones Should I Feed My Dog?
If you feed your dog with too many bones, it could cause constipation. Ideally, you give your dog at most two bones per time. This may be different from dog to dog and that is why you should consult your vet first. Always make it a point to discuss the nutrition of your dog with your vet first. They should be able to adequately counsel you on the ideal diet as well as the best kind of bones for your dog to consume.
Some Tips For Selecting The Right Bone For Your Dog
We have been able to establish that bones are of great benefit to both the dog owners and the dogs as well. They often taste nice and can keep your dog entertained and engaged. Giving your dog bone to chew helps to strengthen their jaws, supplies mental and physical stimulation to the dog while also mentally stimulating them. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing bone for your dog.
Natural is better
When choosing a bone for your dog, it is often ideal that you opt for available natural options. Feeding your dog with processed bones is often unsafe because they contain toxic chemicals and preservatives. This is why you should always go for natural bones.
Factor in the personality and age of your dog
There are certain questions you need to ask yourself about your dog. For instance, do they still have puppy teeth? Are they aggressive with chewing? Are their tummies sensitive? How old is your dog? You need to find answers to these questions before you can consider feeding bones to your dog. It is also ideal that you only feed bones to your dogs after they must have been fed.
Size matters
One thing about dog eating bones is that such bones are often not too big or small. A bone that is quite small may be swallowed by your dog. If it is too large, it could damage its teeth.
Last Line
Your dog deserves a good life and that sometimes means allowing your dog to eat what it wants. But as we pointed out in this article, if you must feed your dog steak bones, ensure they are raw and natural.
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