There is a common misconception that giving bones as occasional treats to your dogs is perfectly fine. This notion came into existence because dogs are always portrayed with bones in cartoons, books, and television shows. But, the real scenario is totally different, and giving lamb bones to your dogs might not be a good decision sometimes.
In this blog, we will be discussing can dogs eat lamb bones as occasional treats, and what are the potential health hazards associated with it. We will also be listing some important tips that might help you when giving lamb bones to your dog. So, go through this blog thoroughly if you want to keep your dog safe and healthy.
Content Summary
Can dogs eat lamb bones?
The topic of feeding lamb bones to your dogs has always been a subject of immense debate. Some experts suggest that feeding raw and uncooked lamb bones to your dog is good. However, others believe that all kinds of bones – cooked or uncooked – must not be given to the dogs. So, let’s see if you can give lamb bones to your dogs, or not.
1. Raw and uncooked lamb bones
Raw and uncooked lamb bones are generally safer and can be offered to your dogs occasionally. Your dog will enjoy gnawing a meaty lamb bone. It will also offer them a variety of essential vitamins, proteins, calcium, and phosphorus. But, make sure you are giving your dog a lamb bone that is big and hard. This is because big and hard raw lamb bones are less likely to splinter and injure your dog. An advantage of giving raw lamb bone to your dog once in a while is that it will help in maintaining their dental health and hygiene. The gnawing action will help in getting rid of the tartar and plague present on their teeth. It will also make the jaws of your dog strong
2. Cooked lamb bones
When the lamb bones are cooked, their texture changes and they become very brittle. As a result, they can easily get broken into small shards and splinters that can injure your dog’s mouth or throat. These pieces can get lodged in the digestive tract of the dogs and can induce blockages that will require complex surgeries! If the bone passes through the gastrointestinal tract without lodging anywhere, then it might cause significant injuries while it transits. These might cause a lot of pain, and discomfort to your dogs. So, cooked lamb bones are not at all a safe option for your dogs, and you must substitute it with bones that are hard and raw.
Potential Health Hazards
Now that we have gone through the discussion of can dogs eat lamb bones as occasional treats, let’s go through the potential hazards of feeding lamb bones to your dog.
1. Stomach Problems
If your dog is prone to stomach issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, or constipation, then you must avoid giving them lamb bones. The bones contain marrow that is quite rich and hard to digest. This can aggravate the already existing stomach issues in your dogs. So, if your pet has a sensitive tummy, then offer them a safe dog chew, instead of lamb bones.
2. Choking Hazards
If your dog tries to ingest a piece of bone, then it can lead to choking and even death. Small bones, such as lamb chop bones, can get stuck in the throat of the dog. Sometimes, these bones can also block your dog’s digestive tract.
3. Dental Hazards
The knucklebones of the lamb are very thick and sometimes it can break the teeth of your dog. Such bones can also cause cuts and bruises in their mouth.
4. Internal injuries
The swallowed bone fragments can injure and perforate the gastrointestinal tract of your dog. This can lead to severe internal injuries, and sometimes, bacterial infections.
Some Important Tips for Feeding Lamb Bones to Your Dogs
So, lamb bones can be offered to your dogs under some special circumstances only. The lamb bones must be big, hard, and raw. Now, let’s go through some of the important tips that can help us a lot while feeding lamb bones to our dogs.
1. Keep a close eye on your dog
If you are giving lamb bones that are uncooked to your dog, then make sure that you are keeping a close eye on him or her. Your pet should not be allowed to gnaw on the raw lamb bone while there is no one around. You should also look carefully for signs of choking, distress, uncomfortability, or pain.
2. Size of the lamb bones
To prevent the chances of swallowing and choking, you must always feed your dog a lamb bone that is bigger than the size of its muzzle. Also ensure that the bone doesn’t have any sharp edges. Or else, it might injure your dog’s mouth, and tongue.
3. Clean the lamb bones
For some dogs, raw meat can cause a number of health issues. This is mostly seen in the case of dogs with autoimmune conditions, and puppies. So, try to clean the lamb bones thoroughly before offering it to your dog.
4. Trim the fat/skin present on the lamb bone
The fat present on the bone can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as pancreatitis. So, if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, then you must trim the fat and skin present over the bone surface before giving the lamb bone to them.
FAQ’s
Q1. Is it okay to offer lamb bones to my dog?
Lamb bones that are raw, uncooked, big, and hard can be given to your dog for gnawing. But, keep them away from lamb bones that are cooked. These bones are very brittle and break into fragments when gnawed. This might injure your dog severely.
Q2. What if my dog accidently eats small lamb bones?
You should closely monitor your dog to check if the bone is passing through the stool or not. If the bone has not passed, and your dog is showing signs of discomfort, pain, or irritation, then take him or her to the vet’s clinic immediately.
Q3. Which bones are safe for dogs, and which bones must be avoided?
The raw bones from beef and lamb can be offered to your dogs. However, avoid bones that are small and brittle, such as turkey, pork, and chicken bones.
Q4. What is the best lamb bone that you can offer to your dog?
According to experts, lamb neck bones are the perfect option for your dogs as they are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and protein. If you have got a big chewer at home, then lamb neck bones are the largest bones that you can give to your dog.
Q5. When can bones be introduced into your dog’s diet?
Bones can be given to your dogs once they are 12 weeks old.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed can dogs eat lamb bones as occasional treats. There always exists some risk when it comes to feeding your dog lamb bones, or any other bones. However, raw, uncooked lamb bones of bigger size are comparatively safe, and can be given to your dogs occasionally. But, you should never leave your dog unattended while feeding them lamb bones. Closely monitoring them will help you to eliminate the risks of choking, gastrointestinal damage, blockages, internal injuries, and more.
