Can Bones Damage a Dog’s Teeth?
The answer to the question, “can bones damage a dogs teeth?” is unfortunately, yes. A dogs teeth can sustain severe damage as a result of chewing on hard bones, and especially cooked bones. Theres a high possibility of a dog wearing their teeth down due to the constant friction, or worse, experiencing a broken tooth. When dogs fracture their teeth, its common for the tooth to split all the way down to the pulp or root. Exposure of these sensitive areas can cause significant pain to your dog and often leads to infection. Related Articles
Thats not to say that you should never give your dog bones. If your dog really loves a tasty marrow bone, they likely wont care about anything but getting to that juicy, inner portion of the bone. With a watchful eye, you can retrieve the bone portion when theyre done to prevent them from chewing on it. Always monitor your dog if they have a bone — never leave them alone with it.
Use extreme caution when considering giving your dog other types of bones, though. Chicken bones are a huge no-no for pets, even though dogs wont necessarily hurt their teeth on them. Instead, theres a high chance your dog will bite through the chicken bone and swallow small, sharp pieces, which can damage their mouth or the inside of the intestines.
A good rule of thumb when choosing chew toys for your pet is to follow the “kneecap rule.” This guideline was developed by veterinary dentist Dr. Fraser Hale, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC. He states that if a toy or bone hurts when used to hit your own kneecap, then its too hard for your dog and can damage their teeth. The Veterinary Oral Health Council also offers a list of approved products that are actually good for your dogs mouth.
Experts report that raw bones are generally safer than cooked bones, although they both have their risks. Cooked bones have the potential to splinter into sharp pieces that may become lodged in a dogs gums, palate, or throat. Bones also tend to become significantly harder due to the heat of cooking, so they put dogs at higher risk for tooth damage.
Raw bones, on the other hand, are slightly softer, but may carry dangerous bacteria that can make your dog sick. A few different preparation options can minimize the risk, such as freeze-drying or flash freezing the bones before offering them to your dog. And, fortunately, instead of splitting, raw bones are usually softer and are prone to breaking more cleanly, reducing the risk of perforation or damage.
If you decide to offer your dog a raw bone, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Dog owners may wonder if smaller bones might reduce the risk of adverse effects, but thats most certainly not the case. Some experts recommend picking large bones, “approximately the size of your dogs head,” according to Dr. Karen Becker, DVM. This will ensure your dog cant swallow or choke on the bone. Round marrow bones have their own risks, like getting stuck around a dogs lower jaw. An emergency trip to the vet for them to carefully cut the bone while a dog is under sedation is typically required for these cases.
Better Chew Choices The best chew treat and toys for your dog are large enough so as not to present a choking hazard. You’ll also want to look for those that don’t splinter and some that may even offer a dental health benefit. “Be sure to look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Approval on any dental treat that you purchase,” Dr. Evans advises. “VOHC certifies treats and toys that are proven to reduce plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth.”
Of course you love spoiling your pet! But before giving your dog a chew toy, take a closer look. Could it cause the chipping or fracturing of all-important canine teeth?
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
What To Do if Your Dog Hurts a Tooth Be cautious examining your dog’s mouth. “The pain may cause your otherwise gentle pet to snap or even bite you,” Dr. Fegan warns. Help your pet feel better by applying a cold compress to the outer cheek near the injury, which can minimize swelling, bleeding and pain. Dr. Fegan also says it’s safe to give your pet aspirin. Seek vet instructions on proper dosage. If a tooth is loose or bleeding, get immediate attention.
Angela Tague writes about parenting, pet care and being a home-based writer. She and her husband live in Iowa with a bositerous Bull Terrier mix and a wacky Weimaraner.
How Teeth Get Worn Down
There are two main ways for teeth to become worn down:
Dental attrition develops when teeth rub against each other. This is common in dogs with abnormal bites (called malocclusion) that cause the teeth to wear against each other when the mouth opens and closes. Tooth attrition most often happens to the canine teeth (the “fangs”) and the incisors (the small teeth at the front of the mouth). However, tooth grinding can cause attrition in the molars and premolars.
Dental abrasion is tooth wear caused by other objects rubbing against the teeth. Dogs commonly wear down their teeth chewing on bones, toys, and other items. Excessive self-grooming may even lead to some tooth wear. Tooth abrasion can occur in any of the teeth depending on the way the dog chews.
Tooth wear generally develops over time due to friction on the teeth. Frequent chewing can make teeth wear down faster. In addition, certain objects may cause wear to happen faster. For example, tennis balls and water bottles have a tendency to wear down teeth faster if the dog chews intensely on them. This is because these materials have a filing effect on the teeth.
The BEST Raw Bones To Clean Your Pet’s Teeth
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In short – yes, bones can be very good for your dog. The mechanical action of chewing the meat off a bone helps to remove plaque, which then minimises the formation of tartar (calcified plaque). Giving your dog bones regularly can increase the time between dental cleans at the vet and keep your dog’s teeth cleaner and healthier for longer.
Having said that, every dog is different, so choosing the right type and size of bone for your dog is critical. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_ src=”https://thepymblevet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dog1.png” title_text=”dog1″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-35px|||||”]
NEVER feed your pet cooked bones! These can cause gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhoea and vomiting or pancreatitis in some dogs. Cooked bones are also more likely to splinter and can push through the wall of the stomach or intestine, this is known as gastrointestinal perforation. This is an extremely dangerous situation for your pet and they will likely require surgery.
The bones need to have plenty of meat on them so there is something for the teeth to sink in to and out of repeatedly. It is important to take the bone away once they have eaten the meat. Dogs chewing inappropriate large, solid bones with no meat on them, or hard objects such as plastic toys, deer antlers or hooves can result in. The most common dental fracture we see in dogs is a ‘slab’ fracture of the upper carnassial broken teeth tooth (large molar tooth) caused from biting down on hard objects.
It is important to give your dog fresh human grade meat as this is less likely to have issues with bacterial contamination (such as Salmonella). Animals, just like us, will get sick from eating spoiled meat. It is also important not to feed your dog fatty off cuts of meat. It is a misconception that animals do not get sick from eating large amount of fat. Chicken or kangaroo are often leaner cuts of meat. Lamb, mince and some cuts of beef can often be fattier and can cause pancreatitis in some dogs.
Different dogs have different chewing behaviours, so what is safe and effective in one dog may be dangerous or ineffective in another.
If the bone is small enough that your dog tries to swallow it in one gulp, not only does it defeat the purpose of chewing the meat off the bone to clean the teeth, it can also become a choking hazard or gastrointestinal obstruction risk. Smaller dogs may enjoy chewing on large pieces of meat without the bone, such as cheap cuts with sinewy, fibrous tissue (chuck steak, gravy beef, ox hearts).
As a general rule, one to two bones a week is a good place to start.
It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s faeces. If the faeces become hard or crumbly your dog is likely eating too many bones. If you see shards of bones in your dog’s faeces, it is likely receiving the wrong type of bones.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-55px|||||”]
It is important your dog doesn’t put on extra weight when adding bones to the diet. Ideally aim to swap your pet’s dinner for a bone rather than adding in bones on top of their normal meal throughout the week.
It is recommended that dogs are not given bones before 6 months of age. This is mainly due to the fact that puppies will not develop their adult teeth prior to this time.
Can I leave my dog alone with a bone while I am out?[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_ src=”https://thepymblevet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dog2.jpg” title_text=”dog2″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-46px|||||”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-52px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||”]
It is always recommended that your puppy or dog be supervised when chewing bones and that they are not left alone during this time, especially if there are multiple dogs in the household- bones are often a source of fighting.
There are other methods suitable for alone time such as ‘’Kongs’’. This is a rubber conical shape chew toy that you pack with treats or your pet’s normal dry food. It is a great way to enrich your dog’s time alone and much safer than leaving them along with a bone. We have these at the clinic and they come in different sizes- ask a nurse for the appropriate one for your pet at your next visit. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”]
Yes you certainly can! It just depends if your cat is interested. Offering your cat a chicken neck or chicken wing (always raw as explained above) a few times a week is a great way to help keep their teeth as healthy as possible. It can also be a great source of enrichment for them.
Again, this should always be supervised and can replace their dinner some days. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_ src=”https://thepymblevet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cat1.jpg” title_text=”cat1″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”]
For further questions on this topic please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable nurses on 94994010. Or pop in to see us as we have many options at the clinic available for your pets and would be happy to help![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]