7 Reasons Why Bones Are Bad for Dogs

1. How Bones Can Break Your Dog’s Teeth

Bones may seem like a natural chew, but they can seriously harm your dog’s teeth.

Fractured Teeth

Bones are hard, and that hardness can easily crack or break a dog’s teeth.

A cracked tooth isn’t just painful; it can lead to infections and need costly dental surgery.

Imagine your dog, happily chewing a bone. A few days later, you notice they are having trouble eating.

The vet finds it has cracked a tooth. It will cost hundreds, or even thousands, to fix.

Aggressive Chewing

If your dog is a strong chewer, they’re even more likely to suffer from dental damage.

Dogs with strong jaws can bite hard objects, like bones. Their teeth can break or fracture.

The American Veterinary Dental College says dogs often fracture their teeth by chewing hard things, like bones and antlers.

These fractures often go unnoticed until they become infected.

This can cause serious health issues.

Symptoms of Dental Damage

Drooling more than usual.
Refusing food or chewing on one side of the mouth.
Pawing at the mouth.
Bad breath (a sign of infection).

Safer Alternatives

Instead of bones, give your dog toys and treats that are designed to be safe for their teeth.

These options are durable enough to please your dog’s need to chew.

But, they are soft enough to avoid damaging their teeth.

Here are some safer alternatives:

Durable rubber toys (like Kong toys).
Nylon chew toys designed for dental safety.
Dental chews that clean your dog’s teeth while he or she chews.

Safer options will avoid painful dental emergencies and keep your dog’s teeth healthy.

Bones, especially hard ones, can break your dog’s teeth. This can cause painful infections and costly surgeries.

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2. Why Bones Are a Choking Hazard for Dogs

Dental damage is a big concern. But, a greater risk is choking.

Risk of Choking

Bones, especially small ones, can easily get lodged in your dog’s throat or esophagus.

What starts as a fun chew session can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency if a bone gets stuck.

This can result in your dog gagging, struggling to breathe, or even collapsing.

Anecdote: One dog owner shared a story on social media about how their dog choked on a bone.

The bone fragment got lodged in the dog’s throat, causing them to panic and gasp for air.

They had to rush to the vet, where their dog was sedated so the bone could be safely removed.

The owner was left shaken and grateful their dog survived the ordeal.

Veterinary Testimony

Many vets report seeing dogs with bones lodged in their throats or guts.

These emergencies often need sedation, surgery, or special tools to remove the bones.

If your dog is choking, watch for these signs

Difficulty breathing
Gagging or retching.
Drooling excessively
Pawing at the mouth.
Panic or restlessness

Prevention

To avoid the risk of choking, it’s best not to give your dog bones, especially small or brittle ones.

Instead, give them safe, durable chew toys.

Always supervise their chewing.

This will prevent them from swallowing anything dangerous.

Small bones and fragments can choke your dog.

They may get lodged in its throat. This often needs emergency help.

3. Digestive Blockages from Swallowed Bones

Choking is an immediate danger. Bones can also cause blockages in your dog’s digestive system.

Bone Fragments Cause Blockages

When dogs chew on bones, it’s common for them to break off small fragments.

Bone pieces can get stuck in the digestive tract.

This can cause a blockage.

This is a serious condition. It can block food and water, causing life-threatening complications.

Symptoms of a Blockage

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Swollen or painful abdomen
Lethargy
Loss of appetite

A Real-Life Example

A dog named Max was rushed to the emergency vet after he started vomiting and refusing food.

X-rays showed a small bone fragment blocking his intestines.

Max needed emergency surgery to remove the blockage and spent days in recovery.

His owner, devastated and facing a hefty vet bill, swore never to give him bones again.

Max’s story isn’t unique.

A 2020 study in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that gut obstructions often come from bone fragments.

They are a common reason for emergency surgeries in dogs.

Surgical Intervention

In severe cases, surgery is required to remove the obstruction.

This can be risky, and recovery can take time.

Surgery can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars. It depends on the case’s severity.

Actionable Tip

If your dog has digestive issues after chewing a bone, seek vet care right away.

Early intervention can prevent serious complications and save your dog’s life.

Bone fragments can block the digestive tract. This can cause severe symptoms, like vomiting and abdominal pain.

In extreme cases, surgery is required.

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4. Internal Injuries from Bone Splinters

Gastrointestinal blockages aren’t the only digestive risks.

Even if bones don’t block the digestive tract, they can still cause harm.

Their splinters can be very dangerous.

Cooked vs. Raw Bones

Cooked bones are very dangerous.

They become brittle and break into sharp pieces. But even raw bones aren’t completely safe.

They don’t splinter as easily.

But they can break into fragments that can cause serious problems.

Perforation Risk

A splintered bone can puncture your dog’s stomach or intestines.

This can lead to internal bleeding, infections, and other life-threatening conditions.

The worst part? You may not notice it until it’s too late.

Internal injuries aren’t always obvious at first.

Symptoms of Internal Injuries

Vomiting or diarrhea (often with blood)
Lethargy
Abdominal pain (your dog may whimper or act uncomfortable when touched)
Loss of appetite

Safer Alternatives to Bones

Rubber or nylon chew toys that don’t splinter
Puzzle feeders engage your dog mentally while they chew
Dental chews that promote oral health in a safe, non-dangerous way

Using these safer options can save your dog’s life. They avoid the risk of painful internal injuries.

Both raw and cooked bones can splinter.

They can puncture your dog’s stomach or intestines.

This may cause life-threatening internal injuries.

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5. Bacterial Infections from Raw Bones

Raw bones, especially, carry a hidden risk: bacteria.

Pathogens in Raw Bones

Raw bones can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

These bacteria can make your dog sick.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

In some cases, these infections can become severe and need hospitalization.

Human Risk

It’s not just your dog at risk—bacterial contamination from raw bones can spread to humans, too.

Children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable.

Handling raw bones or even your dog’s toys can expose you to harmful pathogens.

Symptoms of Bacterial Contamination in Dogs

Vomiting
Diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
Lethargy
Fever or signs of infection

Raw Food Diet Controversy

Some dog owners support raw diets.

But, adding bones to them raises the risk of bacterial infections. Some support raw food diets.

But, vets often warn against bones, even if the rest of the diet is raw.

Raw diets are sometimes believed to be more “natural” for dogs because they mimic what wild dogs might eat.

But pet dogs have evolved with humans for thousands of years.

Their digestive systems may not handle the risks of raw bones, especially bacteria.

Wild dogs may chew bones.

But, their lifespans are much shorter. They lack modern veterinary care.

Practical Advice for Raw Diets

If you’re considering a raw diet, consult your veterinarian.

They can guide you on how to do it safely while minimizing risks.

But avoid feeding your dog bones altogether to prevent bacterial contamination.

Raw bones can carry harmful bacteria, like salmonella and E. coli.

They can infect dogs and humans, causing serious illness.

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6. Pancreatitis Risk from Fatty Bones

Certain bones, especially fatty ones, can harm your dog. Bacteria may contaminate them.

High-Fat Bones Trigger Pancreatitis

Certain bones, especially fatty ones like pork bones, can trigger pancreatitis in dogs.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas and can cause severe, life-threatening symptoms.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Vomiting
Abdominal pain (your dog may hunch, whimper, or refuse to move)
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Diarrhea

A Real-Life Story

Bella, a two-year-old Labrador, developed pancreatitis after chewing on a fatty pork bone.

She spent days in the hospital on IV fluids and pain medications, and her owner had to cover a $2,000 vet bill.

Bella’s owner was heartbroken to see her in pain and vowed never to give her fatty treats again.

Tip: Avoid giving your dog high-fat bones.

There are plenty of low-fat, healthy treats available that won’t trigger pancreatitis.

If you’re ever unsure, consult your vet for advice on the safest snacks for your dog.

Fatty bones, like pork, can cause pancreatitis.

It is a painful and dangerous inflammation of the pancreas.

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7. Unhealthy Chewing Habits Encouraged by Bones

Finally, beyond physical health risks, bones can also affect your dog’s behavior.

Encouraging Aggressive Chewing

When dogs are regularly given bones, they may develop more aggressive chewing habits.

Aggressive chewers may damage their teeth or swallow dangerous objects.

They might also chew on things they shouldn’t, like furniture or shoes.

This is because they’ve been encouraged to chew on hard objects.

Unhealthy Chewing Habits

Chewing on bones can create a cycle of unhealthy chewing behavior.

Dogs may seek harder objects to chew.

This can harm their teeth and cause digestive issues if they swallow non-food items.

Safer Alternatives

Rubber toys that are durable but gentle on teeth
Puzzle feeders that challenge your dog’s mind and keep them occupied
Dental chews that promote healthy chewing behavior and clean teeth

Give your dog safe, fun alternatives.

They’ll chew better and avoid bone risks.

Chewing on bones can cause aggressive chewing.

This may damage teeth or lead to destructive habits, like chewing on furniture.

Conclusion

As a dog owner, your pet’s health and happiness are always the top priority.

While bones may seem like a natural and appealing treat, the risks involved can be quite serious.

Bones can harm your dog’s teeth and cause choking.

They can also lead to life-threatening issues, like blockages and infections.

Some dogs get pancreatitis from eating fatty bones.

It’s a painful, dangerous condition.

Safer alternatives provide the same satisfaction while eliminating the risks.

Chew toys made from durable materials like rubber or nylon are great options.

Dental chews are a smart choice. They clean your dog’s teeth.

And, they let them chew in a healthy way.

Before introducing any new chew toys or treats, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian.

They know your dog’s needs, like their breed and size.

They can recommend the best, safest options to keep your dog happy and healthy.

⚠️ Quiz: The #1 Dog Food To AVOID (causes weight gain, saps energy & harms your dog’s gut)

A: Chicken
B: Beef
C: Pork
D: Fish
E: Vegetables

Make your selection above or click here to skip straight to the answer.

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