Are Pork Rib Bones Safe For Dogs

You may want your baby back (baby back, baby back) ribs, as the Chilis commercial jingle went a few years ago, but is it cool to give beef or pork rib bones to dogs as a treat once in a while?

While theres anything inherently toxic to dogs about cooked pork or beef rib meat, bones are a more complicated issue. Because of the chances of choking, digestion problems, and sharp bones in the gastrointestinal tract, veterinarians like Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian toxicologist who works with Pet Poison Helpline, have begun shying away from recommending that dogs chew on animal bones.

Why Aren’t Pork Bones Safe for Dogs? Pork bones, whether raw or cooked, are likely to splinter and crack when your dog chews on them. Your dog might attempt to swallow small pieces of the pork bone, which could lead to choking, intestinal blockages, or damage to the esophagus or intestines.

Can I Give My Dog Rib Bones?

The short answer: No. “I do not recommend giving pork rib bones to your dog,” said Susan Konecny, RN, DVM and medical director at Best Friends Animal Society®. Raw poultry and pork bones, in addition to cooked bones of any kind, should be off limits when it comes to your dog’s diet.

“While pork itself is a fine protein source, the bones should be considered something that’s dangerous and should be disposed of and not as a treat,” said Stephanie Liff, DVM and owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care of Clinton Hill Brooklyn, NY.

Can Dogs Eat Pork Rib Bones?

No. Do not feed pork rib bones to your dog. They can splinter into shards that can cause your dog to choke, damage its mouth, throat or intestines.

Can Dogs Eat Pork Rib Bones? Is it healthy for dogs to eat pork rib bones?

No, it is not a good idea to feed pork rib bones to your dogs. Pork rib bones can splinter into fragments that pose a choking risk for your dogs. These fragments can damage your dog’s throat, mouth, and internal organs such as the intestines.

FAQ

What happens if a dog eats a rib bone?

The short answer: No. “I do not recommend giving pork rib bones to your dog,” said Susan Konecny, RN, DVM and medical director at Best Friends Animal Society®. Raw poultry and pork bones, in addition to cooked bones of any kind, should be off limits when it comes to your dog’s diet.

Are pork rib bones good for small dogs?

Passing Rib Bones

It can take anywhere between 24 and 72 hours for dogs to pass a rib bone. Time depends on the amount eaten, how the bones were prepared, and the size and breed of the dog. In some cases, fragments will dissolve in the stomach. However, larger bone fragments will often make their way to the intestines.