Lamb bones make an irresistibly delicious treat for dogs of all ages and breeds, providing both mental stimulation and contributing to dental hygiene.
Raw bones can spread salmonella and other food-borne illnesses to both your dog and immunocompromised individuals in your home, so it is crucial that they are supervised while they chew them.
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Benefits
Lamb bones can provide your dog with essential protein and energy sources, as well as relief from joint pain. Plus, these tasty treats contain calcium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids – great sources for both health and nutrition!
Raw bones also provide dental health benefits by gently cleaning a dog’s teeth and gums, naturally eliminating tartar and plaque buildup, exercising jaw muscles, and eliminating tartar buildup from teething periods. Plus, unlike cooked bones which could splinter into sharp pieces.
As with any pet activity, you should supervise your dog while they chew to avoid swallowing large pieces or becoming choked on bones. Furthermore, take time out every 15 minutes from chewing so as to prevent your pup from overdosing on chewing activity and exhaustion. Recreational bones are great treats for dogs; however leftover bones from meals could contain potentially unsafe spices or bacteria and should never be given to them as treats!
Drawbacks
Biologically appropriate bones and chews provide dogs with mental stimulation, promote optimal health and are an easy way to scrape off plaque and tartar from their teeth naturally. Any bone should only be used under close supervision due to risk of splintering and breaking teeth.
Raw bones contain bacteria that could make your dog sick; to reduce this risk, ensure that both you and your family practice good hygiene and cleaning routines to avoid contact with these germs.
If a broken-off bone breaks off while chewing, it could cause serious internal injury, including perforations in the throat or digestive tract, leading to blockages or even infections in these systems. For this reason, only offer your dog lamb bones large enough for them to chew comfortably in order to ensure you supervise when feeding time arrives.
Safe Alternatives
If your dog is sensitive to bones or has dental conditions that prevent her from chewing them, there are safe bone alternatives available to her. One option, beef tendons, provide days of chewing time while providing plenty of chondroitin and glucosamine that help improve oral health while cleaning her teeth and improving their oral hygiene.
Avoid feeding your dog cooked, smoked, roasted or boiled bones as these can splinter and damage their teeth. Instead, give raw bones such as large leg or hip bones under close supervision so you can monitor his chewing habits and prevent resource guarding behaviors.
Avoid fat-rich marrow bones which may lead to digestive upset in your pet. If they suffer from any medical condition that prevents them from eating raw meaty bones, finely ground chicken backs, necks or wings can make an excellent source of protein and are easy for her to digest; additionally they contain essential glucosamine and cartilage-building nutrients to promote joint health in their system.
Final Words
Bone chewing provides dogs with an enjoyable and natural form of behavioral release. It encourages the production of good bacteria in the mouth, improving dental hygiene. Furthermore, bone chewing presents both mental and physical stimulation that can alleviate boredom or stress.
Be sure to provide bones of an appropriate size and texture – raw rather than cooked – for your pet to chew, as choking hazards and aggressive chewers could potentially injure themselves by chewing too aggressively. It is also wise to watch how they interact while chewing to make sure any injuries do not arise from chewing activities.
Considering your pet may suffer from sensitive tummies or irritable bowel syndrome, it would be wise to steer clear of feeding bones to them altogether. If unsure, consult with a vet prior to giving any. If feeding one anyway, look for one with meat attached (rather than just bone) to prevent the bone from becoming decayed; steer clear from pork bones that splinter as these could be hazardous to their health.
