Dogs have a natural instinct that causes them to chew on things, whether it’s a stick, a chair leg, or your new designer pumps! Pairing a dog and bone will satisfy your dog’s craving and help protect your valuables. Chewing on bones can help dogs fight off boredom, relieve stress, and provide mental stimulation. Chewing also contributes to their oral hygiene and helps protect them from gum disease, dental decay, and related health issues.
After a dog eats, particles of food stick to the surface of its teeth. The mixture of food, saliva, and bacteria calcifies into tartar which leads to gum disease and the loss of tissue and bone. The mechanics of chewing help remove plaque to prevent tartar from forming. So, feeding bones to your dog can help keep them happy and healthy — if you do it right!
Only Feed Raw Bones
You aren’t doing your dog any favours by feeding dog bones that have been cooked. These bones can cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting. They can even lead to pancreatitis in more severe cases. Cooking bones makes them softer and more vulnerable to splintering. Bone splinters can stick through the dog’s stomach or intestine walls, resulting in a life-threatening condition that requires surgery. Getting raw bones for dogs will help protect them from ingesting large or sharp pieces or from causing damage to their teeth.
Always Offer Lean, Fresh Bones
Dog bones should have plenty of fresh human-grade meat that is less likely to contain bacteria. The meat should be lean, not fatty. Eating fatty meats like lamb or some cuts of beef can lead to pancreatitis in some dogs. Ordering our frozen dog bones and thawing them in the fridge before use ensures they are safe for your pet.
Give Marrow Bones for Dogs as an Extra Treat
Marrow bones let dogs chew as they would in the wild. These treats can provide additional nutrients and tooth cleaning while encouraging more exercise. But they are also higher in fat, making them undesirable as a daily treat. Limit giving your dog marrow bones to no more than once a week to prevent adding too many calories to their diet.
In comparison, you can give your dog regular bones once or twice a week to start. You will need to keep an eye on your dog to make sure they continue eating their regular diet and that they don’t put on any additional weight.
Size Matters
It isn’t just the type of bone that matters — it’s also the size. A bone that is too large or too hard can cause dogs to break their teeth. Dogs might swallow bones that are too small or chew them forcefully by placing the entire thing in their mouth.
The ideal bone won’t fit entirely into their mouth and it should have plenty of meat on it for the dog to chew off. Once the meat is gone, take the bone away.
Never give any dog chicken bones as they are weak and easily splinter. If your dog loves the taste of chicken, give them feet or wings that are made of cartilage and are highly digestible.
Small dogs have smaller mouths and teeth, making it more difficult to chew on bones. They might prefer chewing on treats made of fibrous tissue instead. Tendon treats offer all the benefits of chewing on bones without hurting their mouth.
When to Give Bone Broth to Dogs
Sometimes bones aren’t a good option for dogs. Pups under six months of age, small dogs, seniors, and dogs with some health conditions can’t chew bones safely. Another option that provides a safe alternative is to give bone broth.
Bone broth can help boost your dog’s immune system, detoxify the liver, improve digestion, provides essential minerals, and more. The best bone broth for dogs contains all-natural ingredients that are dog-safe.
More Advice on Feeding Your Dog Bones
Safety is important for all dog owners. That’s why you should never leave your dog unsupervised while chewing dog bones. Don’t give dog bones to dogs under six months of age when they have their adult teeth. Finally, only give your dog quality products that you know are safe like those from Gully Road. Our range of dog bones and treats is made for the health and happiness of your pup.
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