How many times, while we are enjoying our succulent steak, do we feel a paw drawing our attention? It’s our faithful friend, intoxicated by the smell of meat, looking at us with those sweetened eyes, hoping for a “reward.” Often the temptation to indulge them is great, and just as often, we succumb to their silent pleas, without really knowing if what we are doing is healthy for them. In the common imagination, in fact, it is thought that we can give our four-legged friends any type (or almost) of bones, except those from chicken and turkey, which are easily at risk of splintering and could therefore be harmful to our pet. What we do not know, however, is that not all bones are suitable for them. And not all those we have always considered dangerous are really so.
But let’s try to understand more…
Bones certainly constitute a crucial component of a dog’s diet, but their introduction requires a certain amount of attention and a deep understanding of the various considerations at play. It is essential to emphasize that when talking about bones for dogs, we are referring exclusively to marrow bones, identified by the acronym MB. These particular bones, in fact, come from specific species and anatomical parts and are covered with meat, making them less prone to dangerously splintering.
A crucial point to keep in mind is that marrow bones should be given RAW. Cooking, in fact, makes the bone tissue softer and increases the risk of splintering, while the pulp adhering to the bone, which plays a protective role when raw, separates with cooking and cannot fulfill its function. On the contrary, cooked bones such as table scraps, bare bones, and marrow bones should be avoided as they could cause harm. Pork bones, in particular, should be excluded, as raw pork meat can transmit Aujeszky’s disease.
To identify suitable marrow bones, you can consider those from chicken, turkey (limited to the neck), rabbit, lamb (head and ribs), and veal (ribs only, grouped in 2-3). Obviously, the selection for the type suitable for our dog is based on the hardness of the bones, the propensity to splinter, and the age of the animal at the time of slaughter. In addition to their role as sources of calcium and phosphorus, bones also satisfy a dog’s natural need for chewing, contributing to the release of endorphins and maintaining clean and strong teeth. However, it is essential to consider bones as an integral part of the diet, administering them away from meals to avoid digestive overload.
For this reason, there are situations where it is preferable to refrain from administering bones. Dogs with digestive problems, previous intestinal inflammations, or competitive behaviors may not benefit from the introduction of bones into their diet. It is therefore essential to carefully evaluate the individual situation of the dog before introducing this element into its diet.
Furthermore, although bones represent a valid nutritional choice, it is also essential to identify which types should be avoided. Bare pork bones, marrow bones, and steak bones are definitely among the options to be excluded due to their composition or shape (marrow bones, for example, due to their conformation, could get stuck in our faithful friend’s mouth). Fortunately, there are now also many valid alternatives to traditional bones, each with its own benefits and unique characteristics, such as chewable snacks designed to promote chewing and dental cleaning, or dried pig ears, pressed skin, deer antlers, and yak milk in the form of dehydrated bars.
And so, dear lovers of our faithful four-legged friends, we have unveiled the secrets hidden behind some popular myths: we have learned that giving bones to a dog is not Russian roulette, but rather a conscious choice between raw marrow bones and a careful selection of canine delicacies. Because if chewing represents an essential behavior for dogs, and providing them with something to gnaw on significantly contributes to their overall well-being, it is also true that we must approach this component of the canine diet with awareness and attention to the specificities of each animal, thus ensuring a safe and balanced approach.
Ig – @fairness_mag
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