| For decades, images of dogs happily chewing | | | | least, perform cursory research on the |
| on bones have been promoted on television and | | | | internet. Food requirements vary, depending |
| in motion pictures. As a result, pet owners | | | | on a dog's breed, weight, and size. If a pet |
| have been feeding their dogs both raw and | | | | owner can't bear not to give the dog a treat, |
| cooked bones, thinking that they are | | | | use rawhide or chew bones made of dog food |
| providing a natural form of nutrition for | | | | purchased at the store or pet shop. |
| their pets. In reality, they are | | | | |
| compromising the dog's health and | | | | A proper diet for a dog contains a balance of |
| unintentionally risking the animal's life. | | | | nutrients that are low in fat and are easily |
| The consumption of bones by dogs has resulted | | | | digestible. Veterinarians do not recommend |
| in vomiting, organ puncture, and cancer. | | | | that dogs receive 'table scraps' or leftovers |
| Feeding dogs bones is not a good thing to do! | | | | from the owner's meals. Eating these foods |
| | | | can result in weight gain and a rejection of |
| Dogs are natural and instinctive scavengers. | | | | food specifically prepared for dogs. In |
| They might not be fed bones by their | | | | particular, dogs should never be given |
| guardian, but they can find them in trash | | | | chocolate, raw meats, or raw organ meats. |
| cans, on unattended plates, and when they | | | | These foods can cause skeletal problems and |
| find a dead animal, such as a bird or rat. | | | | toxicity in dogs. They, along with real |
| This is very dangerous and must be prevented. | | | | bones, are a "No, no!" |
| One of the more common dangers of bone | | | | |
| consumption is bone splinters. Bones from | | | | One of the best, and most easily accessible, |
| small birds, such as starlings, or | | | | sources of information regarding animal |
| medium-sized birds, such as chickens, as well | | | | nutrition is the internet. A concerned dog |
| as fish and other meats, can easily splinter | | | | owner can search the internet using words |
| when chewed and disperse inside an | | | | such as "feeding dogs," "dog food," or "dog |
| unsuspecting dog, leading to ripping and | | | | nutrition." The resulting information will |
| tearing of internal organs, and, possibly, | | | | include general nutrition information, |
| death. | | | | feeding a specific a breed of dog, and |
| | | | training a dog to eat certain foods. Chew |
| In addition to the intestinal danger that | | | | bones and other safe treats are also |
| results from eating bones, dogs may | | | | available on the internet. |
| experience cracking or breaking of teeth. | | | | |
| This could result in prolonged periods of | | | | Dogs can be fed properly, safely, and |
| pain for the animal because tooth injuries | | | | consistently when everyone in the home, or |
| are not as easily noticed as other physical | | | | family and friends outside the home, are |
| ailments. When the problem is discovered, | | | | aware of the dog's dietary needs. This |
| the dog may have to undergo oral surgery to | | | | information will help anyone who may be |
| remove infections, reconstruct a tooth, or | | | | taking care of the dog in an owner's absence. |
| extract teeth. This is painful and traumatic | | | | Dog owners should list the foods that the |
| for the dog and can be very costly for the | | | | dog eats and the way in which the food is |
| dog's guardian. | | | | prepared. Also, there should be a prominent |
| | | | notation stating that feeding bones to the |
| If a pet owner is in doubt regarding proper | | | | dog is prohibited. Since feeding dogs bones |
| nutrition for a dog, it is recommended that | | | | is very dangerous, be sure that no one, |
| they consult a veterinarian, or, at the very | | | | family, friend, or dog-sitter ever does! |