Bones For Dogs: Are They Really Good?
It is common within the popular imagination to relate dogs with bone consumption and, in reality, they seem to enjoy it a lot.
However, there are opposing views on this, where not only veterinarians but also dog food specialists are opposed. So, we’ll delve into the question of whether bones are good for dogs or not.
One of the most frequently asked questions to veterinarians is whether it is advisable to give bones to dogs, as many owners think this is good for them, especially based on the huge amount of caricatures and preconceived ideas that exist about this.
However, many veterinarians are against this practice.
Even those who are radically against providing bones to dogs, recognize that dogs love bones, but consider the act of giving bones to dogs as being absolutely irresponsible.
This posture is not based on the fact that if they eat a bone, it will harm them, but it does consider the possible complications that arise from the continued consumption of bones.
For example, one of the most frequent reasons for visits to the veterinarian is related to peritonitis caused by perforation of a bone in the animal’s intestine, asphyxia by choking bones in the throat, not to mention the multiple surgeries that are performed daily to extract lodged bones. in the digestive tract.
Many experts think it is an unnecessary way to expose the dog’s life, due to the delicate consequences that must be faced in case something goes wrong with the consumption of bones.
However, another group of experts advocates the consumption of bones, as they consider them an important source of protein.
Likewise, if the dog were in the wild, he would hunt animals for food and devour them, including the bones, so that this would justify consuming them.
However, something both groups agree on is that we must be very careful about the type of bones we give dogs.
In general, we should avoid small and sharp bones, these can be chicken bones or fish bones, as these types of bones can more easily produce some of the unfortunate situations that we discussed above.
leather bones
One of the healthy alternatives for bone consumption is leather bones (false bones), which is a hardened and slightly greasy cowhide. This is a good option that also helps take care of your dog’s teeth.
As if that wasn’t enough, some veterinarians maintain that this class of bones is also not good for dogs, especially for small ones, because because they have a short intestine, this leather bone tends to stick to the walls and produce painful obstructions.
It is recommended that you do not overuse these bones, it is best that it be used as prizes, only once a week. Remember that for training purposes or to keep your dog entertained, it’s best to consider other types of strategies.
Wholemeal cookies & snacks
On the market, you can find a wide variety of specialized products to care for your dog’s teeth, gums and digestive tract.
Among these are the delicious wholegrain crackers that are rich in fiber and that can provide your dog, in addition to good fun times, with a good nutritional content.
Because it is rich in fiber, it will help the digestive tract function properly.
The advantage of this class of snacks, especially when they are low in fat, is that you can give them to your dog several times a day, which is important, especially during crucial training moments.
The idea is that you look for a balance between what your dog likes and what is healthy for him. That way you can responsibly allow your furry best friend to eat things that are tasty as well as healthy.
Featured Image Credits: Analiz Villegas.
