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Nutrition Facts:
Crude Fat Min | 10.9% |
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Moisture Max | 5.8% |
Are Smoked Knee Bones Safe for Dogs?
Smoked knee bones are exactly what they sound like. A knee joint bone that has undergone the smoking process. The type of meat that this bone comes from will vary, so make sure to check the packaging.
In most cases, cooked knee bones are much more dangerous than smoked varieties. But, there are still risks. Smoked knee bones can still splinter, causing internal blockages, or they can break your dog’s teeth. So, it’s up to you to weigh up the pros and cons when considering this treat for your own dog.
Are Smoked Bones Safe for Dogs?
As we now know, smoked bones are slightly different to cooked bones. Although the smoking process technically dries bones and meat, it will not make bones brittle to the same extent as proper cooking. The main goal with smoked bones is to add a specific flavor.
Despite this, there are still a few concerns with smoked bones for dogs. So, let’s take a closer look at each of these in turn.
Cooked, brittle bones will snap easily, breaking off into chunks that our dogs can swallow and choke on. This risk is lowered with uncooked and smoked bones, since they will be less brittle. However, the risk is not eliminated altogether.
If you let your dog chew on a raw or smoked bone for an extended period of time, it’s highly likely that the bone will break. Small parts of the bone that break off will be swallowed by your dog, unless you’re watching them non-stop and removing the bone whenever you suspect it breaks. These small swallowed pieces can cause choking. Or, internal blockages later on in your dog’s digestive system. Both can be fatal.
As well as internal blockages, chipped off pieces of bone can cause internal punctures and scratches. This is because bones are very hard. Chipped off pieces will usually be quite sharp, especially against your dog’s soft digestive organs.
Smoked bones can be just as dry as any other raw bones. Typically, smoked bones are very large, to avoid the issues of choking. But, these larger bones are also much harder. This can be seen as a bonus, since it will entertain your dog for longer. But, there is a downside to this. And that concerns your dog’s teeth.
Veterinarians are seeing more and more dogs who suffer from tooth fractures and other dental issues that stem from chewing on hard bones. Tooth fractures and other dental issues can be painful for your dog, and expensive for you. Many people will give their dogs bones and experience none of these problems. But, it is a rising concern for many veterinarians, which is something owners should take into account.
What to Do When Giving a Bone Treat
When giving bones to your dog, it’s best to go for the raw meat or smoked bones since it’s still hard to break. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, so it’s good for their health. Plus these type of bones is not brittle since it’s not cooked, so it’s safer for your pet.
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