Giving your dog a treat is always a good reward for them. Some dog owners go for giving bones to their pets as a treat. But is it really safe for them?
Smoked bones are perfectly safe for dogs as long as you give them the proper bones. If you give them a bone that is already brittle, there’s a risk that it can snap in half and cause some issues. Avoid giving chicken bones, as they can be dangerous for your dog since it can break and choke your pet. So you need to be more careful before giving bone as a treat.
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.
Do Dogs Like the Taste of Smoked Bones?
The main reason for smoking bones is to add a flavor that will attract our dogs. But, the impact of this will vary for each dog. Dogs have different preferences when it comes to food, just like us. So, some may love the taste of smoked bones, whilst others may be happy to leave a smoked bone alone.
Generally, most dogs will love the taste of raw bones, whether they’re smoked or plain. So, if you’ve decided that bones are worth the risk, you can always experiment with different flavors.
Not Waiting For Your Dogs Stomach Problems To Heal
If your dog has been having digestive problems that have caused it to become moody, you may be tempted to cheer it up by giving it a bone. However, pieces of bone can worsen digestive problems such as diarrhea. So you’re far better off waiting until your dog’s condition improves before indulging them with this treat.
Ideally, dogs should only be allowed to chew bones under your supervision since they have a tendency to get carried away and keep chewing even if their gums start bleeding. Make a practice of limiting your dogs’ chewing time to 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Of course, they won’t welcome you taking their bone away, but it’s for their excellence. Bones will crack after being chewed on for too long, and you need to keep inspecting it to make sure it’s still safe for chewing.
FAQ
Are smoked pork femur bones safe for dogs?
Can dogs have smoked pig bones?
Is smoked bone marrow good for dogs?
Can my dog eat a smoked ham bone?
