Introduction
Many dog owners delight in seeing their furry friends happily chewing down on a big, meaty bone. However, wild animal bones spark an important question – are bones found outdoors safe for dogs to eat? This is an essential concern for all pet parents.
In the wild, it’s natural for dogs to scavenge bones. But not every bone is created equal. Some wild animal bones, especially from larger prey or roadkill, carry significant hazards. Feeding the wrong bone to a dog can result in major health issues or even death.
This article explains why wild animal bones require caution, which types carry the most risk, plus safe bone alternatives for dogs. We’ll also cover signs of trouble and what to do if your dog eats a risky bone from the wild.
Potential Dangers of Wild Animal Bones
There are several potential dangers to allowing your dog to chew or consume bones from wild animals. The main risks of wild animal bones include:
- Fractured teeth – These bones are often very hard and difficult for dogs to chew. Aggressive chewing of these dense, hard bones can result in cracked or broken teeth which leads to pain and serious tooth infections. Wild animal bone fragments can also wedge between your dog’s teeth, causing pain and the need for veterinary dental work.
- Choking hazard – Irregular bone pieces or shards from splintered bones can become lodged in your dog’s throat or mouth. This chokes your dog and can even cut their mouth, esophagus or stomach if swallowed. Wild animal bones are often dry and prone to splintering.
- Internal injuries or blockages – The sharp, irregular shapes of wild animal bones can damage your dog’s mouth, throat, stomach or intestines as they are chewed and ingested. Bones shards can even puncture organs or become stuck in the esophagus or digestive tract, creating life-threatening blockages requiring emergency surgery and hospitalization.
Due to their density, shape and tendency to splinter, wild animal bones present a very high risk of dental damage, choking hazards or internal lacerations and blockages if gnawed on or ingested by dogs. Extreme care should be taken to avoid any exposure to these hazardous bones.
Types of Wild Animal Bones to Avoid
There are certain types of bones from wild animals that can be very dangerous for dogs to consume. Three of the most high-risk bones to avoid giving your dog include:
Chicken Bones
Chicken bones are very brittle and can easily splinter when chewed by dogs. The shards of bone can cause lacerations in the mouth, esophagus, or digestive tract. Chicken bones have been known to get lodged in a dog’s throat or puncture their stomach or intestines, which requires emergency surgery.
Fish Bones
Like chicken bones, fish bones are prone to splintering and can pose a significant choking hazard or damage a dog’s gastrointestinal tract. The small bones found in fish like salmon and trout can be especially dangerous. Some types of fish also have higher bone densities that make them more difficult to chew and digest.
Rabbit Bones
While not quite as hazardous as chicken or fish bones, rabbit bones can still pose risks for dogs. They are prone to sharding and splintering. The bones of small game animals like rabbits are also small enough to potentially cause blockages or perforations in a dog’s throat or digestive system.
Safer Alternatives to Wild Bones
While wild animal bones come with risks, there are safer bone alternatives for dogs that provide enrichment without the dangers.
Antlers shed from deer, elk, reindeer, and moose are a popular alternative. They’re harder than bones, so they last longer while still satisfying a dog’s chewing urges. Antlers don’t splinter as easily as bones and contain minimal odor. Choose large antlers so they can’t be swallowed whole.
Hooves from cattle, buffalo, sheep, and pigs are another alternative. Like antlers, hooves are harder and less likely to splinter. Hooves contain natural glucosamine that may benefit cartilage health. Avoid flavored hooves, as artificial ingredients may be harmful.
Recreational bones made specifically for dogs provide a safer chewing experience. Look for non-weight-bearing beef or chicken bones free of preservatives. Recreational bones can be eaten completely without sharp pieces. Supervise your dog with any recreational bone.
How to Choose Safe Bones
When selecting bones for your dog, make sure to consider the size and your dog’s chewing habits. Tiny bones can easily splinter and large leg bones may be too tough for some dogs to chew safely.
Watch your dog when they are chewing any bone. Supervise them during the entire time and remove the bone once it starts splintering or becomes small. Do not leave dogs alone with bones or toys unsupervised.
Talk to your veterinarian about safe options for your specific dog. They can provide guidance on bone size, type, and chewing time based on your dog’s size, breed, chew strength, and more. Follow any instructions they provide.
Signs of Trouble
If your dog starts showing any of these signs after chewing on a wild animal bone, it could indicate a major problem:
Choking – Excessive gagging, wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing can signify a bone fragment stuck in the throat. This requires immediate veterinary assistance. Left untreated, choking can lead to suffocation.
Drooling – Uncontrollable drooling or foaming at the mouth may signal your dog is having trouble swallowing a bone shard. The mouth area should be examined for any stuck fragments.
Abdominal pain – Signs like restlessness, whimpering, acting lethargic, vomiting, loss of appetite or bloating can mean a perforation or obstruction from a bone fragment. This is a medical emergency requiring prompt veterinary care.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Risky Bone
If you suspect your dog has consumed a dangerous wild animal bone, the most important step is to contact your veterinarian right away. Your vet will be able to assess the situation and determine if your dog requires urgent medical care.
Be prepared to describe the type of bone your dog ate and the size of it. Your vet may advise you to bring your dog into their office so they can examine them and possibly induce vomiting or administer medication to help pass the bone fragments safely.
Until you can reach your vet, closely monitor your dog for signs of distress or injury. Look for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, gagging, or abdominal pain. If your dog seems like they are in immediate danger of choking on a stuck bone, you may need to perform first aid while waiting to get veterinary assistance.
Inducing vomiting should only be done at the recommendation of your vet, as doing so without guidance could potentially harm your dog. Never give hydrogen peroxide or force your dog to swallow salt, as these techniques are outdated and considered unsafe.
With prompt veterinary care, dogs have a good chance of recovering after eating a risky bone. However, complications like intestinal blockages may require surgery and extended treatment. Going forward, keep all natural bones away from your dog to avoid repeat incidents.
Preventing Future Bone Incidents
There are a few key ways to help prevent your dog from eating wild animal bones in the future:
Provide Proper Chew Toys
Give your dog plenty of safe, durable chew toys to satisfy their natural chewing instinct. Good options include Kong toys, nylon bones, rubber toys, and raw hides. Rotate toys to keep your dog interested and supervised during play.
Train Your Dog
Work on training your dog to “drop it” and “leave it” so you can get risky items out of their mouth. Always reward them with treats and praise when they obey these commands.
Supervise Walks
Keep your dog leashed or work on recall training. This allows you to quickly intervene if they try eating something harmful. Avoid areas where you know bones are common. Be extra vigilant in the woods, near water, and other natural areas.
With proper toys, training, and supervision, you can help prevent your dog from consuming dangerous wild animal bones in the future.
Summary
In summary, feeding your dog bones from wild animals poses various health dangers. Deer, elk, bison, and other wild animal bones can splinter and cause damage to the throat, intestines, and stomach lining. Bones from fish like salmon and trout can also pose high risks with their small bones that easily detach.
Rather than giving your dog wild animal bones that can splinter or break off into sharp pieces, choose safer alternatives like raw meaty bones from grass-fed animals. Focus on bones from animals like chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef. When sourcing bones, look for high-quality ones from ethical farms or butchers.
Monitor your dog closely when giving any recreational bones to watch for signs of trouble like gagging, vomiting, constipation, or bloody stools. Avoid letting your dog have bones unsupervised. If your dog eats a questionable wild bone, contact your vet right away. Going forward, only offer bones you’re confident are safe to minimize future risks.
By staying informed on bone safety and making smart choices, you can allow your dog an occasional safe, fun bone while avoiding the dangers of wild animal bones. Supervise carefully, and act fast if any problems occur to protect your dog’s gastrointestinal health.
References
This article was compiled using information from the following sources:
- American Kennel Club: Can Dogs Eat Bones?
- PetMD: Are Bones Safe for Dogs?
- VCA Hospitals: Bones, Calcium, and Nutrition in Dogs
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Keep Your Canine Safe: ASPCA Offers Tips to Avoid Giving Dogs Bones
For more information on safe bones and chews for dogs, consult with your veterinarian.