One of the things we know about dogs is that they do well with bones. In fact, many kinds of dog treat even have that bone shape. Still, as much as we are familiar with the scene, you may feel surprised at how it can be a risk. So, you may ask:
My dog ate a pork bone, will he be OK? Dogs may like pork bones, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. Pork bones are thick that it can even be hard even for dogs. It can also splinter, and the sharp edges can damage your pet’s internal organs. Thus, if your dog ate a pork bone, check for symptoms and take it to the vet if it shows any signs.
Dogs won’t do well with bones unlike what we believe. If you feed such to your dog, you put it at risk of many complications. If left unchecked, it can even put your pet’s life in danger.
In this article, we’ll tackle everything you need to know about pork bones, and it’s effects on dogs. This way, you can be confident your pet remains safe from incidents related to this matter.
Not All Bones Are Similar To Pork Bones
Your dog might find it easier to chew certain bones compared to others. For instance, beef bones versus pork bones or pork bones versus chicken bones. These bones could either be weaker or more substantial than the other, which means that they could crumble upon chewing while others split and create sharp edges. For instance, bird bones are thin and full of air sacs, making them easier to digest if dogs consume them. On the other hand, pork bones are much bigger and more difficult to digest due to their thickness.
The bone from a pork chop could cause the same amount of damage as the bone from a grilled pork rib. What matters here is the size of the bone that was consumed. For dogs bigger in size generally have larger intestines. It’s easier for them to digest and pass bones through their body easier than smaller dogs. Feeding bones to any dog breeds should be avoided as much as possible if you want to avoid unnecessary problems.
Pork Bones Aren’t Safe for Dogs
Can dogs eat pork bones? What if my dog chews on a raw bone?
Pork bones may seem like they would be safe; however, that’s not the case. The reason is that pork bones can easily splinter and crack. It doesn’t matter if they’re raw or cooked. If your dog swallows some very tiny pieces of pork bone (and we mean very tiny), chances are he will be OK.
However, larger pieces of bone can become stuck in your dog’s throat and cause him to choke, or the bones could pass through the digestive system and become stuck, causing an intestinal blockage.
Pieces of pork bone that has sharp edges could also cause small tears and scratches to a dog’s throat. If the pieces pass through to the digestive system, sharp bone pieces could cause tears and damage to the stomach and intestinal tract.
Cooked bones may be safe, but even cooked bones can become lodged in the digestive system and cause damage. Although there are some cases of dogs dying from choking on bones, most dogs will survive. However, the effects of bone fragments causing intestinal blockage are serious and can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Raw pork chop bones can cause intestinal blockage and if ingested by a dog, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or shock. If the bone passes through the digestive system and lodges in the intestines, it can cause an intestinal obstruction. If that happens, your dog will need surgery to remove the bone fragments.
If your dog eats a raw bone, it’s best to remove it from his system as soon as possible. If your dog eats cooked bones, you can treat the bone fragments with digestive enzymes and then monitor your dog for any symptoms.
Step 2: Clean Up
Clear up any spilled trash or bits of bone to make sure that your dog, and any other dogs in the house are safe. Make a note of what appears to be missing. It may be necessary to put your pup in their crate, or in a room while you do this. Make sure they can’t find any more leftovers to ingest.
FAQ
Are pork bones toxic to dogs?