Dog Bones: Real Animal Bones vs. Man Made Toys

What Kind of Dog Bone is Better?

Both the Wolves of several thousand years ago and the domestic dogs of today love to chew, whether it be on a bone, stick or toy! Chewing on these things is a very natural, instinctual activity for a dog. Some kinds of dog bones are great and some are downright dangerous, but how can you be sure which?

• Chewing stimulates the production of saliva enzymes, helping prevent plaque buildup and promoting clean teeth.

*List provided by iheartdogs.co

​Why are Bone Splinters Dangerous?

We hear about dogs chewing bones all of the time! In fact, bones are probably the most popular ‘dog toy’ associated with dogs in general. Even in a natural, wild setting, both wolves and wild dogs love to chew on the bones of their prey. This means any bone we might give to our dogs is ok, right?
 
Wrong! The bones we give to our pets are very rarely retrieved directly from an animal carcass, and in in that sense aren’t exactly natural. Sometimes, giving a dog a bone can lead to some pretty dangerous situations.
 
Cooked Bones: Any type of cooked bone, regardless the kind, is softer and more likely to splinter in a dog’s mouth.
Poultry or Pork Bones: These bones are dangerously likely to splinter into shards, not only causing a choking hazard, but possibly puncturing your pet’s stomach lining or intestines.
 
Even though your dog might desperately want that chicken bone, the risk is simply no where near worth it! If your dog’s bone does end up splintering while in his mouth, any one of several things can happen:
 

• Bone Splinter lodges in dog’s throat, dog chokes and possibly dies
• Bone splinter pokes a hole somewhere in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon), almost certainly requiring a veterinary visit and very costly surgery
• Bone splinter lodges in dog’s esophagus. Dog gags, and is unable to eat/drink until it is removed; may require veterinarian’s attention
• Bone splinter lodges somewhere in GI tract, causing a blockage and possibly leading to a bacterial infection, again likely requiring surgery

Nutrition?
Many people claim animal bones provide valuable nutrients for your dog. This is probably true- that is, if the dog were to actually digest the bone. Remember, the absolute last thing you want your dog to do is swallow pieces of hard, sharp bone. That being said, you probably don’t want your dog eating these bones unless they were specifically designed to be eaten and approved by your veterinarian. 

---

​What Kinds of Animal Bones are ok?

Most veterinarians say raw meat bones generally safer for your dog, as they are less likely to break apart or splinter. However, again- there are risks! Any bone your dog can break apart and swallow can cause a choking hazard. Raw animal bones containing meat or marrow might also contain dangerous bacteria or parasites your dog hasn’t been exposed to and thus hasn’t developed any kind of resistance to.
 
No matter what kind of animal bone you give your dog, he should always be monitored! No matter how unlikely, accidents have happened and there is always a possibility for them to happen again.
 
●If you’re still not sure what animal bones are ok, simply ask your veterinarian!
●I have bought cattle bone for my dog and she loves it. Don't worry if the dog poop turns white though!
 

​Commercial Store Bought Dog Bones

Now that we’ve covered natural animal bones, let’s talk a little about man made dog bones. These are strictly man made dog toys, and nothing smoked or cooked that was once part of a living animal.
 
These dog bones were built to last, made specifically not to break apart, splinter or shatter. Hard rubber or plastic bones, like Nylabones or Kong bones, should last for years, help fight tooth decay, and offer a great little distraction your dogs will love! Because these dog toy were created specifically not to break apart under pressure and not meant to be swallowed, they don’t carry any of the choking hazards animal bones do.
 
●Make sure the bone is the right size for your dog! If it is so small your pet can fit the entire bone in his mouth, the bone is probably too small.
 
Rawhides: Though they are specifically made for dogs and may seem ok, sharp pieces of rawhide can actually pose a choking hazard- just like sharp animal bones. Because rawhides are made from the animal hide tanning process, many environmental activists consider them by-products of the cruel international fur trade.

Pros & Cons: Animal vs. Man Made Dog Bones

If you’re still not sure what kind of bone to offer your dog, take a look at the comparisons below. These comparisons are made assuming the bones aren’t cooked, and are the right size for your pet.
 
Animal Bones

• Mechanical chewing process helps keep teeth clean
• Chewing simulates natural dog behavior
• Most dogs prefer to synthetic bones
• Provides short term mental stimulation
• Not made to last
• May pose choking hazard

 
Man Made Dog Bones

• Mechanical chewing process helps keep teeth clean
• Chewing simulates natural dog behavior
• No choking hazard
• Made to last
• Provides long term mental stimulation
• Most dogs ultimately prefer animal bones

Tug of War, Rope Toys & Old Clothes

In the wild, wolves or wild dogs will literally tear at their prey. Though it might seem gruesome and uncomfortable to imagine, this is both natural and instinctual. It’s also why your dog might love to play ‘tug of war’ so much!
 
You can’t really play tug of war with small bones, for risk of getting accidentally nipped. You can, on the other hand, play tug of war with manmade rope toys! Your dog will absolutely love the game, too.
 
●Didn’t think tug of war is a good activity to play with a dog? Believe it or not, many world class dog agility trainers use $5 rope toys, and tug of war, to reward their dogs for performing well.
●Rather than spend money on toys, you can simply make them out of old worn out clothes!