Bones can provide dogs with mental stimulation, dental benefits, and important nutrients. However, choosing the wrong type of bone can lead to serious health risks including broken teeth, digestive obstructions, and even life-threatening emergencies. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, proper selection and supervision are crucial when giving bones to dogs.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand which bones are safe for dogs, which to avoid, and how to safely incorporate bones into your dog's routine. For more information on dog health, check out our complete guide to dog health and safety.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Bones for Dogs
When chosen and used correctly, bones can offer several benefits for dogs. The American Kennel Club highlights these potential advantages of appropriate bone chewing:
Dental Health
Chewing on appropriate bones can help scrape away plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of periodontal disease. The mechanical action of gnawing helps clean hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.
Best for Dental Health:
- Raw meaty bones
- Specialty dental chews
- Appropriately sized bones
Mental Stimulation
Chewing provides mental enrichment and can help relieve boredom and anxiety. The focused activity of working on a bone can be calming for many dogs.
Best for Mental Stimulation:
- Long-lasting chews
- Puzzle toys with treats
- Frozen bones
Nutritional Benefits
Raw bones contain marrow, which is rich in nutrients like iron, vitamins A and E, and fatty acids. They also provide trace minerals from the bone itself.
Best for Nutrition:
- Raw marrow bones
- Recreational bones with meat
- Edible bone chews
Jaw Exercise
Regular chewing helps strengthen jaw muscles and can improve overall oral health. This is particularly beneficial for growing puppies developing their jaw structure.
Best for Jaw Exercise:
- Appropriately sized bones
- Rubber chew toys
- Durable synthetic bones
Pro Tip
Always supervise your dog when they're chewing on any type of bone, even those labeled as "safe." No chew is completely risk-free, and immediate intervention may be necessary if a piece breaks off or your dog shows signs of distress. For more safety tips, check out our complete dog safety guide.
Potential Risks and Dangers
While bones can offer benefits, they also present significant risks that every dog owner should understand. The FDA warns about the dangers of bones and provides guidelines for safer alternatives.
Common Risks Associated with Bones
- Broken teeth: Hard bones can cause tooth fractures that require expensive veterinary dental work.
- Mouth or tongue injuries: Sharp bone fragments can cut your dog's mouth, tongue, or cheeks.
- Bone getting stuck in jaw: Round bones can become lodged behind the lower jaw, requiring veterinary removal.
- Esophageal or tracheal obstruction: Pieces of bone can become stuck in the throat, blocking airways or the esophagus.
- Gastrointestinal obstruction: Bone fragments can block the intestines, requiring emergency surgery.
- Constipation: Bone fragments can cause painful constipation and difficulty defecating.
- Bacterial contamination: Raw bones can harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
Emergency Signs
If your dog shows any of these signs after chewing on a bone, seek immediate veterinary care: difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, refusal to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or signs of abdominal pain. For more information on emergency care, see our guide to dog emergencies.
Raw Bones: Safety and Selection
Raw bones are generally considered safer than cooked bones because they're less likely to splinter. However, they still present risks and require careful selection and handling. The Merck Veterinary Manual provides information on digestive obstructions from foreign objects.
Types of Raw Bones
- Recreational bones: Large bones like marrow bones or knucklebones that dogs gnaw on but don't consume entirely.
- Edible bones: Smaller, softer bones like chicken necks or wings that can be consumed completely.
- Meaty bones: Bones with significant meat still attached, providing both nutrition and chewing satisfaction.
Safe Raw Bone Selection
When choosing raw bones for your dog, consider these factors:
- Size: The bone should be larger than your dog's mouth to prevent swallowing.
- Density: Avoid weight-bearing bones of large animals which are extremely hard.
- Freshness: Only use fresh, high-quality bones from reputable sources.
- Type: Poultry bones (except weight-bearing) are generally softer and safer.
The Dangers of Cooked Bones
Cooked bones should never be given to dogs. The cooking process changes the structure of bones, making them brittle and more likely to splinter. According to the ASPCA's household hazards guide, cooked bones are among the dangerous items for pets.
Why Cooked Bones Are Dangerous
- Splintering: Cooked bones can break into sharp, jagged pieces that can perforate the digestive tract.
- Reduced nutritional value: Cooking destroys many of the beneficial nutrients in bones.
- Increased hardness: Some cooked bones become harder and more likely to damage teeth.
- Digestive issues: Cooked bones are more difficult to digest and more likely to cause obstructions.
Important Note
Never give your dog cooked bones from your meals, including chicken bones, steak bones, or pork chop bones. The risks far outweigh any potential benefits. If you're looking for safe alternatives, check our selection of chew toys designed specifically for dogs.
Synthetic and Edible Bones
For dogs who love to chew but where bone risks are a concern, synthetic and specially formulated edible bones can be excellent alternatives. These products are designed specifically for canine chewing with safety in mind.
Nylon Bones
Nylon bones are extremely durable and designed to withstand aggressive chewing. They come in various flavors and textures to appeal to different dogs.
- Pros: Very durable, long-lasting, available in different sizes and flavors
- Cons: Can be too hard for some dogs' teeth, may cause dental damage if too hard
- Best for: Power chewers who destroy other toys quickly
Rubber Chew Toys
High-quality rubber chew toys like Kong products are designed to be safe for chewing and can be stuffed with treats for added interest.
- Pros: Gentle on teeth, can be filled with treats, bounce for play
- Cons: May not satisfy dogs who want to consume their chews
- Best for: Moderate chewers, dogs who enjoy treat-dispensing toys
Edible Chews
Specially formulated edible chews are designed to be safely consumed while providing dental benefits and satisfaction.
- Pros: Satisfies urge to consume, dental benefits, various options available
- Cons: Can be high in calories, may cause digestive upset in some dogs
- Best for: Dogs who want to consume their chews, dental health maintenance
Choosing the Right Size Bone
Selecting the appropriately sized bone for your dog is crucial for safety. A bone that's too small can be swallowed whole, while one that's too large may be difficult to manage or too hard for your dog's teeth.
Size Guidelines
Small Dogs (under 20 lbs)
Small dogs need bones that are large enough not to swallow but not so large they can't manage them.
Recommended:
- Small knucklebones
- Lamb bones
- Specialty small dog chews
Medium Dogs (20-50 lbs)
Medium-sized dogs can handle a wider variety of bones but still need appropriate sizing.
Recommended:
- Beef marrow bones
- Large knucklebones
- Appropriate synthetic bones
Large Dogs (50+ lbs)
Large, powerful chewers need substantial bones that won't break into dangerous pieces.
Recommended:
- Beef femur bones
- Large recreational bones
- Extra-large synthetic bones
Remember that individual variation exists within size categories. Consider your dog's chewing style and dental health when selecting bones. For personalized recommendations, check out our dog products page with options filtered by dog size.
Proper Supervision and Safety Tips
No matter what type of bone or chew you choose, proper supervision is essential for your dog's safety. The PetMD guide to bone safety emphasizes the importance of supervision.
Essential Safety Practices
- Always supervise your dog when they have a bone or chew
- Take the bone away when it becomes small enough to swallow whole
- Discard bones that develop sharp edges or splinters
- Don't allow dogs to bury bones and dig them up later (increases bacterial risk)
- Provide fresh water during and after chewing sessions
- Limit chewing time to 10-15 minutes per session to prevent dental damage
- Clean the bone between uses if it will be reused
Safe Bone Alternatives
If you're concerned about the risks associated with bones, there are many safe alternatives that provide similar benefits. These options are specifically designed for canine safety.
Recommended Safe Alternatives
- Dental chews: Specially formulated treats that clean teeth while being safely digestible
- Rubber chew toys: Durable toys that can be stuffed with treats for added interest
- Antlers and horns: Naturally shed deer antlers or buffalo horns (monitor for hardness)
- Bully sticks: Fully digestible single-ingredient chews made from beef pizzle
- Rawhide alternatives: Chews made from sweet potato, fish skin, or other natural ingredients
- Frozen treats: Frozen carrots, bananas, or specially made frozen chews
Final Thought
While bones can provide enjoyment and benefits for dogs, safety should always be the primary consideration. By understanding the risks, selecting appropriate options, and providing proper supervision, you can help ensure your dog's chewing experiences are both enjoyable and safe. Remember that every dog is different, so what works for one may not be suitable for another. For more resources on dog health and safety, explore our complete blog or check out our selection of safe chew toys and dental products.
