Can Dog Consumes Rib Bones? – Advice from Veterinarians

The mental image of our canine companion happily gnawing on a bone is wonderful. However, can dogs actually consume rib bones, and is doing so safe?

Perhaps is the solution to this query! While pork rib bones are dangerous for dogs, beef and lamb bones are okay for them to gnaw on. This is the case if they are raw and larger than your dog’s mouth.

However, many doctors think that the health and safety hazards associated with giving your dog a bone are not worth it. Before giving your dog this item to chew on, you should educate yourself about its hazards, what to do if your dog swallows a bone, and the varieties of bones that are safer for them to consume.

Why is feeding your dog rib bones dangerous?

If you give your dog roasted rib bones to gnaw on, there are a lot of potential health risks. These are some risks associated with feeding your dog rib bones:

Broken teeth

According to Dr. Wigfall (DVM, BVM, BVS, BVMedSci), the outside of animal bones might cause your dog’s teeth to shatter. When the tooth surface is exposed, infections can arise. Fixing the broken teeth will necessitate advanced dental procedures or surgical extraction.

Lacerations

According to Dr. Ushi (DVM), cooked bones are prone to splintering when eaten.

Your dog can sustain lacerations in his mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines if he accidently consumes shards. This might lead to internal bleeding and infections.

Obstruction of the digestive tract

In addition to lacerations, bone fragments might obstruct your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

If the splinter becomes lodged in his neck, he may suffocate, which can be fatal. Conversely, if the bone makes its way to your dog’s big intestine, he may have constipation. Frequently, surgery is necessary to remove the bone.

Pancreatitis

Dr. Coates (DVM) explains that rib bones contain a great deal of fatty tissue and that dogs that consume high-fat meals can get pancreatitis. This condition will result in

• fever
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• appetite loss

What to do if a rib bone is consumed by your dog

1. Remove any bones from your dog’s environment

If you observe that your furry buddy has consumed a rib bone, remove all additional bones from the area immediately. This will prevent him from ingesting any further pieces.

2. Examine the dog’s mouth

Next, examine your dog’s mouth, especially his tongue and gums, for any leftover bone fragments. If you observe any, remove them quickly to prevent cuts.

3. Watch for indications that your dog has ingested the bone

If your dog ingests a bone, he may exhibit indications of distress. Dr. Simons (MVB, MRCVS) recommends bringing your dog to a veterinarian immediately if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Gagging or choking
• Loss of hunger
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Not being able to sit comfortably
• Restlessness

Even if your dog does not display any of the aforementioned symptoms after ingesting a bone, you should still take him to the veterinarian for a complete checkup.

Types of edible bones for dogs

As a general rule, you should avoid feeding your dog fried bones. Also, the bone should be

• thick so that it is less prone to shatter when chewed on
• larger than your dog’s mouth so that he cannot swallow it whole.

Artificial bones

Dr. Ushi (DVM) suggests providing your dog rubber or nylon synthetic bones. You won’t have to worry about bone shards if he chews on these!

Beef and lamb skeletons

If you prefer to feed your furry pet animal bones, Dr. Murithi (DVM) suggests giving raw, huge cow and lamb bones that have not been fried. These two types of bones are less prone to shatter than chicken and pig bones.

Bones of pork and chicken

Pork and chicken bones are brittle and readily fractured. This can lead to wounds in your dog’s mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Additionally, pork bones might induce pancreatitis.

Fishbones

Fishbones are tiny and razor-sharp. They can easily become trapped in the digestive tract of your pet and cause injury.

How to stop your dog from devouring or chewing on bones

Chewing devices

Chew toys are a safe alternative to animal bones, and they come in a variety of forms, colors, sizes, and even flavors! They will educate your dog certain objects are OK for chewing and which are not.

Flavored chewing toys can deter your dog from gnawing on animal bones, as they can safely enjoy the flavor of chicken, fruits, and vegetables.

Additionally, puppies that are teething benefit greatly from chewing toys, since they have a strong want to gnaw on anything.

Obedience instruction

Do not undervalue the effectiveness of obedience training! It will be useful when you observe your furry companion dashing enthusiastically towards a bone on the ground. Basic instructions like as “stay,” “no,” and “drop it” can be of great assistance in deterring him from eating the bone.

In addition, you may want to instruct him not to consume food discovered on the ground!