Can Dogs Eat Lamb Shank Bones

Only give your dog raw lamb ribs, lamb shanks, or tail bones. 2. Internal injuries: Cooked lamb bones become brittle and splinter easily in a dog’s mouth. Those fragments cause internal damage to a dog’s esophagus and digestive system.

Why eating lamb bones can be bad for dogs

We’ve already mentioned some of the reasons why it can be dangerous to feed your dog bones, but now let’s look into this in a little more depth:

Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Raw Bones

According to Dr. Peter Dobias, a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine with more than 20 years of practical experience, when fed in limited quantities raw bones provide some benefits (they should only make up a maximum 10% of your dog’s diet):

  • they help to maintain clean and strong teeth and jaws;
  • they’re a good source of calcium and phosphorus;
  • they can prevent bloat and anal gland problems.
  • For a better understanding of why dogs can eat raw food, including bones, watch this video by Dr. Karen Becker.

    Are Lamb Bones Good for Dogs?

    There are two ways that people tend to offer lamb bones to their dogs. Firstly, lamb bones and meat can be given as part of a BARF (Bones And Raw Food) diet. Secondly, owners may offer a large, hard lamb bone for their dog to chew on, such as a lamb shank bone. Most people searching for lamb bones are the latter.

    Offering your dog a lamb bone to chew on can offer some benefits to our dogs – as long as they are given raw bones. Raw bones have some important nutrients that our dogs can benefit from, including calcium. On top of this, chewing on lamb bones can be a great way to keep a bored dog entertained for a while. If you have a dog that struggles to calm down in the evenings, a bone may be useful.

    And, perhaps the biggest benefit of raw lamb bones, like other raw bones, is that they can improve your dog’s dental health. Studies have shown that chewing on a raw bone can remove dental calculus in dogs. This is useful if you struggle to brush your dog’s teeth, or if your veterinarian has highlighted dental calculus as a concern. But, despite these benefits, it’s important to analyse the risks before giving your dog a lamb bone to chew on.

    FAQ

    Are cooked lamb shank bones safe for dogs?

    Cooked bones can splinter and cause severe internal damage to dogs. Lamb bones from table scraps are absolutely off-limits, along with any other cooked bones. Dogs’ strong stomach acid helps break bones down, and kill potential bacteria.

    Are raw lamb leg bones safe for dogs?

    Don’t give your dog cooked bones of any kind.

    Cooked bones splinter into shards that can cause choking and serious damage to the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines.