Your dog loves to chew, and you want to save your shoes, kids’ toys, and furniture from destruction. Have no fear! Here at Mighty Pet, we know there are several opinions on what is okay and not okay to let your dog chew on. Here’s the poop scoop… we’ve made it easy for you! Here is the wonderful blog all about BONES! What bones to buy, how some bones differ from others, why dogs love to chew bones in the first place, and so on!
Dogs are Natural Born Chewers!
So, first things first. Dogs need to chew! It’s part of their normal behavior. If they don’t chew, they are being deprived of an important daily function. Pets that don’t have access to chewing bones are more likely to become destructive chewers. Dog chewing provides pleasure, and most importantly, can promote healthy teeth and gums — enter: the dog bone.
What Is the Right Bone for Your Dog?
Make smart bone choices! Fresh, raw meaty bones from a reputable pet food company are the best choice. Be careful with cooked, smoked, or dehydrated bones. The act of cooking the bone changes the structure and removes all the moisture from the bone, which is what dogs LOVE! When bones are cooked or dehydrated, they are more likely to splinter than raw bones, and this can cause gums to bleed. Ouch! Don’t cut bones either! This can cause more splintering, and that’s a no-no! If you have to cut a bone, it’s too large for your pup! But, more on bone size later! At Mighty Pet, we KNOW our BONES! Here’s a quick run-down of different bone types so you can make the right choice for your dog!
- Raw, meaty dog bones are meant to be fed to your dog completely, such as wings, ribs, tails, necks, feet, and backs!
- Weight-bearing dog bones are best for gentle chewers. Be sure to take away the bone after the meat has been removed. (Tip: you can keep the bone to make bone broth!)
- Marrowbones are meant for advanced chewers and removed once the marrow is gone. These are also very high-calorie bones and should replace a meal, not fed in addition to a meal.
- Starter dog bones – Duck/Chicken wings and necks
- Intermediate/advanced dog bones – Chicken portions and lamb necks
- Advanced dog bones – Beef Ribs, Lamb Ribs, Marrowbone, and Knuckle Bones (remember, Marrowbones and knuckles/joints are not meant to be completely digested, so be sure to take these away from your dog once the meat is gone!)
Choosing the Right Bone Size for Your Dog!
Pick the correct size bone for your pet! Too small, and it could be a choking hazard, too big, and it could cause the dog to overindulge. Uneaten pieces or splinters of bone should be removed and disposed of to mitigate choking hazards!
Regularly chewing is safe, but you should often check your pets’ gums for abrasion or cracked teeth. Have your vet check your dogs’ teeth regularly for periodontal disease. Some breeds are more prone to issues than others and may require regular vet teeth cleaning.
Offering Bones to Your Dog Safely
When offering bones, you always want to make sure it is done safely. Always supervise your pet with ANY NEW chew item. If your pet hasn’t been introduced to bones, move slowly; offer one bone every few days to make sure the pet doesn’t overindulge and get a tummy ache! Another thing to remember… start slow! Offer one bone every few days. Set a time limit of 20-30 minutes and remove what isn’t finished. Throw out any un-eaten portion within 24 hours.
Be Cautious of Rawhide.
Let’s face it, dogs love rawhide bones, but If they’re not chewed long enough and broken down properly, they can be a choking hazard and bind up in the digestive tract. It’s crucial that the rawhide bone you choose is the right size for your pooch to better avoid choking hazards. Finally, you’ll also want to be careful with how your rawhide bone is processed, as chemicals used to process them can be harmful to your pup’s tummy!
When Bones Aren’t the Answer
If you are not comfortable feeding your dog bones due to choking hazards, splintering, or any other health concern, seek out the many “busy” chewing toys like Starmark, Nylabone, Kong, Benebone, and Planet Dog. Of course, you must also know your dog’s destruction abilities, boredom level, and what type of chewer they are! You don’t want to pick something too light and have them destroy it, or too hard and have them damage their teeth! Chewing bones is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so be patient and do a little trial and error until you know your dog’s chewing style!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our pet professionals here at your local mom and pup store, Mighty Pet! There’s a wide variety of bones, chew toys and more available online at MightyPet.net! Here’s to happy pups and happy chewing!
