Dog Bone Issue

ThirdMan

I bought a pack of these for my 1 year old Staff-cross to chew on. It says on the label that he should be supervised at all times because the bone can splinter. Well my dog is cracking the bone into bits and eating it in its entirety. He's not just chewing on it as he would with a cooked shin bone. I took it off him immediately, but I'm just wondering if it's very harmful. There is meat/marrow running throughout the inside of the bone. I find it hard to believe that a dog is not expected to crack it open.

Also, I've just heard that ham is not recommended for dogs because of the salt content. Is there any truth in this? If so, why are these products being sold if they're potentially harmful to dogs?

Thanks.

maggiepip

I dont know anything about the salt content but any cooked bone is dangerous as they will crack and splinter like youve just experienced. It really annoys me that these cooked/baked bone products are on sale for dogs, as it makes people think they are safe - the thinking being that they (the manufacturers) wouldnt be selling something dangerous when in fact they are selling something potentially lethal. Avoid any cooked bones like the plague, you were right to take it off your dog.

edit to add ....I dont know what the salt content of the above product is --but ham is a bit salty for dogs alright....a small bit of ham every now and again though would do no harm.

Stereomaniac

It has always been hard for me to understand, why manufacturers would sell something that could possibly kill it's user. But that isn't what they are interested. I was surprisingly far into my life when I made this revelation. I hope your dog is alright and that you figure out an alternative soon. Perhaps such products will be done away with in time if they are harmful.

bluecherry74

As maggiepip said, avoid these type of bones completely. Raw bones from the butcher are far safer, and even then it's a good idea to supervise your dog while they're chewing them.

If you'd prefer not to feed a raw bone, take a look at some of the natural treats on zooplus.ie. Things like cows ears and scalp are a lot safer than cooked bones. Cow hooves are also good and last for hours!

ThirdMan

Thanks for the replies. This happened on Monday, but I've only just got around to uploading the images. So the dog is fine. I'll be throwing the rest of them into the bin. Thanks again.

Hooked

ThirdMan wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. This happened on Monday, but I've only just got around to uploading the images. So the dog is fine. I'll be throwing the rest of them into the bin. Thanks again.

Raw meaty brisket bones from the butcher!!! Spotless teeth and cleans out the other end too!

tk123

Hooked wrote: »

Raw meaty brisket bones from the butcher!!! Spotless teeth and cleans out the other end too!

eh...what does a brisket bone look like - I may have bene getting them without knowing lol?!

Hooked

tk123 wrote: »

eh...what does a brisket bone look like - I may have bene getting them without knowing lol?!

kylith

Cow's ears, bull pizzles, and the like are great. You can also get various hard-wearing flavoured chews from Nylabone too which will clean teeth while not being as disgusting as some of the others.

Nody

kylith wrote: »

Cow's ears, bull pizzles, and the like are great. You can also get various hard-wearing flavoured chews from Nylabone too which will clean teeth while not being as disgusting as some of the others.

Don't feed Nylabones if I remember correctly; DBB has two chipped teeth in his dog because of them (stag bones on the other hand are fine).

Hooked

Nody wrote: »

Don't feed Nylabones if I remember correctly; DBB has two chipped teeth in HER dog because of them (stag bones on the other hand are fine).

in 'her' dog... :P

Boogiewoogie

I think it's the other way round Nody. Pretty sure it was a Stag bone that did the chipping.

Dubl07

kylith wrote: »

Cow's ears, bull pizzles, and the like are great. You can also get various hard-wearing flavoured chews from Nylabone too which will clean teeth while not being as disgusting as some of the others.

ODG

I can just imagine going into the butcher's shop and asking for that. :eek:

Nody

Boogiewoogie wrote: »

I think it's the other way round Nody. Pretty sure it was a Stag bone that did the chipping.

Correct; I had to go back and look it up as I could not remember which way it went

DBB wrote:

Chicken bones are super teeth cleaners, and are soft enough not to cause damage to teeth. I won't give big weight-bearing bones at all here, they're too hard for my liking and I feel they're potentially damaging to teeth... You'll have to forgive my obsession with teeth! My young GSD has damaged all 4 of her canine teeth on those bloody antler chews, so any very hard bone or chew now sends me into a tizz!

Post number 7.

tk123

Hooked wrote: »

in 'her' dog... :P

You've been here long enough to spot that all the best posters on API are girls?

kylith

Dubl07 wrote: »

ODG

I can just imagine going into the butcher's shop and asking for that. :eek:

You can buy them dried in pet shops and online.

muddypaws

kylith wrote: »

You can buy them dried in pet shops and online.

My lot go mad for them!

JustAThought

Csn you imagine them getting stopped in customs & having to explain that!!!