Why shouldn't you give your dog a cooked bone?
Cooking profoundly modifies the structure of the bone. Once cooked, it becomes dry, hard and crumbly. Result ? It breaks easily into small, sharp pieces, called splinters, capable of causing serious internal damage.
A suffocation
By chewing a cooked bone, your dog can break off a piece which could get stuck in his throat. This ingestion can cause partial or total suffocation, which prevents your pet from breathing properly.
An injury
Splinters are particularly dangerous for our 4-legged friends. Very sharp, they can injure their mouth, gums, tongue or even their palate. When swallowed, these bone fragments can cause damage throughout the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the intestines. These internal injuries are often invisible at first, but can quickly worsen.
An intestinal obstruction
When pieces of bone accumulate in the animal's digestive system, they can form an intestinal obstruction. This blockage prevents the normal transit of food and can lead to intense pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and deterioration of general condition. Surgical operation is often necessary urgently.
An infection
Injuries caused by splinters open the door to infections. A perforated intestine, for example, can lead to peritonitis, a serious infection of the abdominal cavity. This type of complication directly puts the dog's life in danger and requires immediate veterinary attention.
What to do if your dog swallowed a cooked bone?
Have you caught your dog enjoying a cooked bone or do you have any doubts? It is important not to wait for symptoms to appear. Even if your faithful companion seems fine at the time, health complications may rear their ugly heads several hours or even days later.
If you notice difficulty swallowing, coughing, vomiting, depression, abdominal pain, constipation, or blood in the stool, consult your veterinarian immediately.
In all cases, the first instinct is to contact him directly as soon as you suspect the ingestion of a cooked bone. Only he will be able to assess the situation and decide whether monitoring is sufficient or whether additional examinations (x-ray, ultrasound, etc.) are necessary.
Woopets' advice: what foods should you give your dog to encourage chewing?
Chewing is a natural need for dogs. It allows him to relax and occupy himself, but also contributes to better oral hygiene by limiting the accumulation of tartar.
Instead of bones, which are dangerous for your pet, we recommend offering them natural chew treats, which are specially formulated for dogs. Duck feet, chicken strips, pig snouts, beef tendons… There are all kinds of dried and resistant products to please your doggie.
You will also find chew toys designed to encourage chewing safely, especially in puppies. They have the advantage of being durable and adapted to different canine profiles.
Finally, we advise you to choose healthy and quality products, which are adapted to the age, size and jaws of your dog. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian.