Is Milkbone Bad For Dogs

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The short answer is: Dogs can eat Milk-Bone without any issue. These dog biscuits have been around for over 100 years, so if you feed them to your dog in moderation (like other treats), Milk-Bone shouldn’t have adverse health effects on your dog.

Are Milk-Bones Good for Dogs?

There are different types of Milk-Bones which all have a different purpose.

The traditional treats are just meant to be treats, so if you’re trying to keep your dog on a low-carb diet, feeding them to your dog frequently won’t be good for them.

There are also products like the GnawBones and Brushing Chews that are meant to improve your dog’s dental health.

These have received the VOHC’s Seal of Approval for tartar control, so they’ve been proven to be good for dogs in that regard[7].

While there are currently no studies that have taken Milk-Bones off the shelf for being bad for dogs, you may feel uncomfortable feeding them to your dog if the BHA levels concern you.

Some healthy Milk-Bone alternatives that your pup may enjoy could be:

  • Frozen whole carrots
  • Rawhide chews
  • Beef bones (Artificial bones like Nylabones are not the same)

    • The main benefit to Milk-Bones is that most of their products are advertised as being good for the dental health of dogs. Any of these treat alternatives will help with that as well.

    Anything that your dog can chew on for an extended period of time will work around their teeth and knock plaque away[8].

    Chewing also increases their saliva production, which washes out bacteria that could cause gum disease[9].

    I’ve personally seen dogs eat Milk-Bones for treats over a period of years and they never had any health issues because of them.

    I would be fine if Maggie had a Milk-Bone every now and then, but since I have her on all-natural treats currently, I don’t plan to switch her over.

    Still, it’s good to know about their full history so I can make the best decision for my dog.

    Are They Bad for Dogs?

    This part was what really tripped me up.

    If Milk-Bones were such a classic treat, why was everyone telling me not to give them to Maggie?

    It all comes down to BHA.

    Is Milkbone Bad For Dogs

    BHA is a food additive that helps preserve food and bulk up the food that’s produced, essentially making more of a product for less money and making it last longer[2].

    While the Food and Drug Administration has said that BHA can be consumed safely[3], the National Institutes of Health have deemed it a carcinogen for both humans and animals[4].

    Essentially, this means that your dog can eat products that have small amounts of BHA in it, but over time, this could increase their risk of developing cancer.

    Milk-Bones responded to this claim back in 2016 when a Facebook video went viral about the BHA in Milk-Bones[5].

    The company said that the small amounts of BHA preserves the treats and protects against bacteria growth, and that it’s completely harmless[6].

    Do Milk-Bones Give Dogs Gas?

    It’s possible for a dog to have excess gas after eating a Milk-Bone.

    They do contain wheat and dairy, which is harder on the digestive system for some dogs than others.

    FAQ

    Why are Milk-Bone treats bad for dogs?

    Milk Bones can contain BHA – Now we want to be careful here but, some iterations of Milk Bones contain BHA, a preservative that is a known carcinogen. This preservative consistently produces tumors in lab animals.

    Can Milk-Bones make my dog sick?

    If given in moderation (and if your dog is not allergic to the ingredients), Milk-Bone treats should not have adverse effects on your dog’s health, and even contain added vitamins and minerals. Milk-Bone’s three main ingredients (wheat, beef, and milk) are generally not harmful to dogs in moderate quantities.

    How many Milk-Bones Can a dog have a day?

    Upset Stomach – With Milk Bone allergies, your dog may show gastrointestinal upset first, such as diarrhea and vomiting. In some cases, the signs of allergy may not even be noticed at all.