The benefits and necessity of bones in the diet
There has long been a debate among dog owners about whether to introduce bones into their pet's diet. With the right approach, you can learn both the advantages and disadvantages of this type of nutrition.
Classic dog treat
This solid product performs a fairly large number of important tasks:
- Cleaning teeth from plaque. When chewing large bones in Stafford, Shepherd and other dog breeds, food stuck between the teeth is removed. Tartar is also removed.
- Gum massage. Moderately hard bone products and cartilage are pressed onto the animal's gums, thus massaging them. This feature can prevent a number of diseases, including periodontal disease, gingivitis and other dental ailments.
- Intake of minerals. Bones contain large amounts of calcium and other minerals, which enter the animal's body when they are eaten. And the collagen contained in cartilage promotes the proper development of joints.
- Improving bowel function. Dogs that are deprived of sufficient physical activity often develop lazy gut syndrome. It is characterized by frequent constipation and increased gas production. When consumed in moderate quantities, soft seeds stimulate feces and facilitate their elimination.
- Satisfying natural needs. Dogs are genetically inclined to chew. This is how puppies learn about the world and develop their jaws, while adults calm down and get rid of boredom. If this procedure is not allowed, the dog may begin to chew house shoes, a sofa and other objects.
Important! The greatest benefit comes not from the bare bone itself, but from the cartilage that is located at its ends. This should be taken into account during the purchasing process.
Is it possible to give raw
Can dogs have milk: why not?
Many experts and breeders insist on giving dogs bones only in raw form. However, this recommendation does not apply to chicken and pork products. The fact is that chickens in poultry farms are raised without movement, which leads to the development of inflammatory processes in their skeletal system. Existing infections can be transmitted to domestic animals, so when asked whether dogs can eat raw chicken bones, the answer is categorically negative.
A balanced diet for your dog is the key to health and long life.
Important! Raw pork bones are often a source of helminthic infestation and dangerous infections, so it is not recommended to give them to your dog.
Are there any benefits for dogs from chicken bones?
The previously presented product was considered useful and was recommended by dog breeders for animals of various breeds. It was believed that the food presented contained a lot of calcium, magnesium and other minerals needed by pets. Similar foods were used to strengthen teeth. However, now the view of specialists on these things has changed. Veterinarians are warning modern pet owners that dogs should not eat chicken bones. There are several reasons for this:
- Such products can damage your pet's internal organs.
- They are harmful to teeth and cause enamel wear when consumed regularly.
- Products produced by large poultry farms can become a source of infection for dogs. The fact is that broilers in such farms lead a sedentary lifestyle. They often develop inflammatory processes affecting bone tissue. A person is not threatened, since he does not eat such products. With animals the situation is different. If your dog eats chicken bones that contain an infection, he may become infected with germs and become ill. Raw paws, wings, and drumsticks of broilers are especially dangerous in this regard.
As you can see, there is quite little benefit from such food, so there is no point in introducing it into the diet. It is better to replace it with high-quality fresh meat.
Are boiled bones allowed?
Chicken feet for dogs, as well as heads: is it possible to give
Boiled beef, pork, chicken and other bones should not be given to dogs. They accumulate in the animal’s intestines in a dense mass, impairing its permeability. In the best case scenario, it will be enough to use Vaseline oil; in the worst case, surgery followed by rehabilitation and a course of injections.
Important! Particularly dangerous are bone remains from jellied meat, which become softened after prolonged cooking.
Boiled chicken and pork bones are especially dangerous. Because chickens are kept in close quarters without sufficient movement, many inflammatory processes develop in their skeletal system. Microorganisms die during the cooking process, releasing many toxins.
Boiled bones are a common mistake
As for pork skeleton parts, they are too fatty and high in calories, which is more difficult for animals to digest.
Useful tips for choosing bones
Bones for dogs: can puppies be given and which ones?
In order for bones in a dog’s diet to bring only benefits, it is necessary to adhere to a number of rules.
- You should not give your dog boiled bones, which are part of the skeleton. This can lead to intestinal and stomach problems.
- Beef haunches can be introduced into the diet of small and large breeds of dogs, but only so that the animals gnaw on the remains of meat or cartilage tissue. After which the bone is taken away.
- It is better not to give poultry bones from the thigh, leg, breast and other parts. They themselves are quite soft and easy for a dog to bite through. Sharp fragments can injure the esophagus and stomach.
- You can feed your dog beef rib. In this case, preference should be given to the one where there is a lot of cartilage tissue.
Advice! For the prevention of dental diseases, as well as for puppies during the change of teeth, a purchased alternative made from tendons is well suited.
Benefits for teeth
Of course, it's good for dogs to chew something. But unless it's a bone from a pet store, it's best to use dried tripe or trachea. But experienced dog breeders opt for various sticks from the pet store. As for bones, you also need to pay attention to the breed of the dog, its size and state of health. For example, the shepherd dog is one of the oldest breeds that has remained closest to its wild ancestors. Therefore, the stomach and intestines are loyal to the digestion of roughage.
If we are talking about artificially bred breeds, then their stomachs are completely sensitive and tender. And they are much more prone to disease than their wild ancestors. Therefore, representatives of decorative breeds need more delicate food.
Minced bone
Surprisingly, the dog’s body digests meat in large pieces better than minced meat. In addition, minced meat sold in stores contains not only useless, but also harmful additives. As a rule, it consists of bone marrow, bones, fat and skin, which not only is not beneficial, but is also harmful to the health of the animal.
Advice! Even if you prepare minced meat yourself from pure meat, the minced consistency will be less digestible in the stomach and cause a feeling of hunger.
Optimal dog nutrition should include solid foods.
It is best to give the animal pieces of meat, alternating with offal. Of the latter, pets enjoy eating beef cheeks, lungs, heart and stomach.
Industrial bones
Knowing why you can’t give bones to dogs, but wanting to satisfy the natural needs of the animal, you can offer him industrial analogues.
There are currently several alternatives;
- Calcium. Aimed at forming and protecting tooth enamel. They are given to older animals to maintain the musculoskeletal system. Shepherds, huskies and other large breeds can be given one piece per day; decorative breeds are recommended to be divided into several parts.
- From tendons. These products are good for removing tartar and cleaning teeth, as well as for dogs with allergies. The puppy is able to forget about the world around him for several hours and engage in gnawing on them.
- Gelatin. In addition to protecting and caring for teeth, they contain collagen and beneficial minerals that animals need. Especially useful for pregnant dogs.
- Chicken. To answer the question in the affirmative: is it possible to give a dog chicken bones, this version of industrially produced bones will help. In terms of taste, they are identical to the natural product.
Important! Just like regular bones, store-bought treats can become dangerous. Puppies and toy breeds can choke on them, so they should be given under the supervision of their owners.
Which animal bones can be given and which ones cannot?
Let's find out what bones can be given to dogs, and why?
Beef
The bones of old cows are yellowish and have a lot of beef fat on them. The bones of young individuals are white and practically free of fat. Here's what to remember when going to the market. Pseudo-ribs, sternum, and shoulder blade are excellent. Medium and large breeds love the ridge. Bones also include calf heads. When boiled, this is an excellent dish for a dog. There is meat from the chewing muscles (cheeks), facial muscles, lips, nostrils, nasal septum (cartilage), and brain. It is important to pick off the wool after cooking. It comes off easily. Don't pluck, but kind of roll it up. Before cooking, cut the head in half along the axis of the skull. Tarring is not recommended - the burning smell will remain.
Pork
These bones, like the pork itself, are very fatty. In addition, they are porous, because they slaughter mainly young individuals. Dogs eat such bones almost completely. Is it possible to give a dog pork bones with these characteristics? No. It is worth noting that the pork snout consists of cartilage, muscle and skin. You can give it raw 1-2 times a week. Freeze before feeding!
Chicken
Bird bones should not be given to dogs at all. And here's why dogs shouldn't be given chicken bones. They are thin, soft, have a lot of meat and cartilage left on them, and dogs willingly eat them. If they simply gnaw off large beef bones and leave the bones themselves, then birds can eat large quantities (necks, wings, skeletons, heads) and completely. This is very harmful and dangerous. The very quality of the bones, like broiler chicken from the factory, is questionable.
Although many people recommend chicken necks even abroad (BARF) without fear of anything, not even allergies.
Turkey
Turkey bones differ from chicken bones only in size. All recommendations will be the same as for chicken bones.
A rabbit
Rabbit bones are very small and have many tubular bones. As a delicacy, the backbone and pelvis can be given to large dogs. Infrequently. The head deserves special attention; most dogs do not eat the teeth and leave them alone.
Lamb
These bones, like veal bones, are very good. But you should take the same precautions as with other bones for your animal. It is not recommended to use them as the basis of your diet.
Elk, roe deer, wild boar
They must be frozen deeply and then be sure to be thoroughly boiled. The threat of trichinosis is much higher. Considering the risks, each owner decides for himself. If you choose them, then follow the same recommendations as described above.
Veterinarian recommendations
As for this product, the opinion of veterinarians is somewhat different. Some of them allow it in food, others are against it.
In general, when choosing this product, it is recommended that the animal take into account the following recommendations:
- Give preference to raw beef moss.
- Supervise small breed dogs and puppies while they chew the product.
- Do not introduce boiled bone waste into the diet, especially after jellied meat.
- Beef ribs with cartilage will be the choice for puppies.
- It is strictly forbidden to allow chicken and pork bones to be chewed.
- For oral care, it is better to use industrial bones.
Important! Many cases of ruptured internal organs demonstrate why dogs should not be given tubular bones. Their sharp fragments can cause irreparable harm to health.
Optimal dog nutrition should include solid foods.
Why are bones dangerous for dogs?
The fact that this product is necessary in the diet of dogs is a dubious statement. It can do more harm than good. There is a risk of developing the following problems:
- Constipation. Even though a dog's stomach is highly acidic, it cannot cope with the bone. As a result, its fragments will get stuck in the stomach or clog the intestines.
- Development of infection. Bacteria found in low-quality meat products can poison with their toxins.
- Problems associated with the throat, gastrointestinal tract and esophagus. Hard and sharp bones can easily damage internal organs.
- Vomiting caused by an attempt to remove a bone fragment or by getting it stuck.
- Damage to tooth enamel and teeth in general. A dog gnawing on hard bone tissue can disrupt its bite and damage the surface of its teeth. They, in turn, are dangerous for the development of caries, the appearance of tartar and other problems.
- Attack of suffocation. A stuck bone or a large piece of bone that has been swallowed can easily become lodged in the throat, causing the animal to choke.
Important! In some cases, eating bones can lead the dog to the operating table or even death.
Chicken bones: why they should not be given to dogs
Bird bones, unlike mammal bones, are often hollow inside. The presence of cavities in the bone tissue makes it possible to reduce the weight of the entire skeleton, which is necessary for flight. At the same time, the fabric itself is dense, very hard, but quite fragile. When chewed by a dog, the bone crumbles into a large number of small and extremely sharp fragments, which can cause great harm to the dog’s body .
Chicken bones left over from dinner should not be given to the dog.
Negative consequences may be:
- Damage to the oral mucosa, resulting in periodontal disease, stomatitis, etc.
- Grinding of teeth, abrasion and chipping of tooth enamel.
- Breaking of teeth, which later leads to caries or pulpitis. Without appropriate treatment, loss of both the injured tooth and neighboring ones is possible.
- Bone fragments getting stuck in the esophagus, which can lead to suffocation.
- Mechanical injuries of the trachea and pharynx. The dog is in severe pain.
- Perforation of organs (esophagus, intestines, stomach), accompanied by internal bleeding. It is possible that the contents of the stomach or feces may spill into the abdominal cavity. All this without immediate surgical intervention threatens peritonitis, sepsis and death of the pet.
- Bone pieces getting stuck in the colon or anus. At best there will be constipation, at worst - intestinal obstruction and intoxication.
Sharp edges of bones can cause harm to a dog's body
The most dangerous are the thin bones from the legs and wings of chicken. Dogs should not be given tubular hollow bones of all types of birds, even larger ones (turkey, goose, etc.), since they also break into sharp, traumatic fragments.
Video: consequences of eating bones
At what age can a puppy eat a bone?
Dogs, and especially puppies, should not be given boiled bones. It is acceptable to administer them raw during the period of teeth change (up to six months) or as entertainment. But in any case, the puppy must be under the supervision of the owner.
Puppies benefit from chewing on something hard to help them change their teeth.
Starting from two months, puppies can be introduced to the diet of chicken necks, pre-treated with boiling water. They replace bones well and do not harm the young body.
Whether or not to give dogs bones, everyone must decide for themselves, knowing and accepting full responsibility. If the decision is positive, it is very important to follow the recommendations for choosing this product and refrain from bones that are dangerous for the animal.
How to serve dog bones
Before introducing an innovation to the diet, the owner must understand what bones can or cannot be given to dogs and in what form they should be served. When choosing between raw and heat-treated butter, you should give preference to the first option. Raw cartilage is suitable for cleansing tooth enamel and the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. But the boiled analogue does not contain any trace elements and is intended only for training the jaws during the chewing process.
