Can dogs eat bones?

Uploaded 19/04/2024

As the old saying goes - give a dog a bone - but should us pet parents really be giving our pups bones to gnaw on? Well not really - bones aren't an essential part of a dog's diet. Despite some of their health benefits (which can be gained from standard dog food), bones splinter which can cause all kinds of issues for your pup's digestive tract, and for this reason, we say no, dogs shouldn't eat bones. Below we’ll explore some of the common questions surrounding feeding dogs bones, including their health benefits, the risks, and the types of bones often fed to dogs.

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Are bones poisonous to dogs?

Bones aren't overtly poisonous to dogs, but raw bones can contain bacteria such as salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria, which may make your pup seriously ill. The bacteria living on or inside the bone could cause symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, decreased appetite, and dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated.

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Are bones good for dogs?

Despite the significant health risks bones pose for our canine companions, there are some reasons people feed dogs bones, which is probably why they were (at least, historically) a popular snack for dogs. The meat, cartilage, and fat around the bone can provide a source of protein and calories for dogs. With that said though, if you're feeding your pup dog food that's right for their age, breed, and size, they shouldn't need any of the additional nutrients that bones can provide as all their nutrition is coming from the dog food you are feeding

And if you're wondering - can dogs have bones for their dental health? The answer is that there are many other dental chews or alternative options such as toothbrushing that are a much safer, more effective option than feeding bones. Bones can cause teeth to fracture and shatter and small bones can become stuck in the roof of the mouth or worse, swallowed. A swallowed bone can become stuck and cause a life-threatening obstruction.

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Why can bones be bad for dogs?

If you're here because you want an answer to - can dogs eat bones - well the health hazards they pose to our furry friends really are at the crux of it. Along with food poisoning from salmonella, E.coli and listeria, the physical risks of chewing and swallowing bones simply aren't worth the risk in our books, as dogs can't digest bones. For more on the risks, take a look below for an insight into some of the injuries and complications bones can cause for our pups.

• Cuts to the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth
• Fractured or worn down teeth leading to painful tooth decay
• Choking hazards if swallowed and become lodged in the oesophagus or trachea 
• Laceration or damage to the throat while swallowing 
• If swallowed can become stuck in the gastrointestinal tract causing severe illness. 
• Gastrointestinal punctures or perforation  and internal bleeding
• Peritonitis

So, why do dogs like chewing bones if they pose all of these health risks? Well while (as much as we'd like to) we can't get inside our pup's heads, we'll take an educated guess and say it's probably because of the taste (because dogs love anything meaty, right?), and the satisfying texture that helps to release their energy through chewing or gnawing, which is soothing to them. 

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Feeding your dog bones

While we'd advise not feeding your dog bones at all due to the health risks they pose, we thought you might be interested in answers to some of the most common questions around the humble dog and bone.

What bones are safe for dogs?

So, can dogs have bones safely at all? Well in our books, the health risks involved simply aren't worth it. However, many pet parents feed their dogs raw bones as they are slightly less likely to splint (which can easily cause punctures to the digestive tract) than cooked, and aren't drained of their nutrients like cooked bones are (which is precisely why soup bones for dogs are a no go).

Can dogs eat rib bones?

Rib bones for dogs are also bad news - they pose a serious choking hazard to our canine pals due to their size and shape. That might leave you wondering - can dogs have cooked beef rib bones - well the answer is definitely not, unfortunately. Cooked bones are much more likely to splinter and cause a puncture to your dog's mouth, throat, or digestive tract. They can also become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, needing surgical removal. 

Can dogs have lamb bones?

While a dog chewing bones seems like a familiar sight (historically, at least), it's worth avoiding bones altogether - the risks simply aren't worth it. 

Are beef bones safe for dogs?

While beef bones for dogs may be popular in some households as they tend to be larger than other animal bones, they can still pose the same health hazards as other, smaller bones such as fracturing teeth leading to painful tooth root abscessation and dental decay.

Other dog bone products 

As you're now nice and clued-up about the health risks that dogs chewing on bones can pose for our canine buddies, you might be wondering whether your dog can get any of the same health benefits from any (bone-like) products without the risks. Find a few ideas below that'll provide your pup with nutrition as well as a boost in their dental health. 

• Dental chews
• Yak bars
• Rawhide chew
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Other foods that are not safe for dogs

Now we know that the humble dog and bone aren't exactly a match made in pup heaven, let's take a look at some of the other foods dogs can't eat.

• Corn on the cob
• Sweetened yogurt
• Wild mushrooms

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.