Imagine a peaceful scene: a dog happily chewing on a bone in the corner. It sounds nice, right? But is it safe for your dog? Feeding your dog a bone, whether it’s from a chicken, pig, cow, or any other animal, can put them at risk for various health issues like intestinal blockage, gastrointestinal problems, choking, or even death. So, what’s the difference between giving your dog a store-bought bone and a rib bone from your plate? We’ll explain the differences, but as a general rule, you should never feed your dog a rib bone as it can seriously harm them. Let’s learn more!
Signs Your Dog Has Eaten a Rib Bone
Veterinarians strongly advise against giving your dog rib bones from your plate. Cooked bones can easily fracture, splinter, and pose significant health risks. However, sometimes dogs manage to get their paws on things they shouldn’t, like rib bones from the trash. So, how can you tell if your dog has eaten a rib bone? Look for signs like choking or gagging, as rib bone splinters can get lodged in their throat. Even if your dog isn’t choking or gagging, they may still have bone-related issues. Splinters and fractures can get stuck in their gastrointestinal tract, causing serious health problems. If your dog experiences stomach pain, whines when you touch their belly, appears tired and lethargic, refuses to eat, has trouble going to the bathroom, or has bloody stool, it’s possible they have ingested a rib bone and should be taken to the vet for a check-up.
Body Language
Here are some body language cues that may indicate your dog has eaten a rib bone:
– Whining
– Shaking
– Weakness
– Raspy panting
Other Signs
There are other signs to watch out for, such as:
– Vomiting or retching
– Bloody stool, diarrhea, or other digestion issues
– Stomach pain
– Not eating
– Restlessness
– Drooling
The History of Dogs Eating Rib Bones
In the past, dogs primarily ate meat scraps and bones. Commercial dog food is a relatively recent development. So, why could dogs in the past eat bones, including rib bones, without major issues? Well, dog health wasn’t a priority back then, and veterinary care as we know it today didn’t exist. When a dog ate something harmful, it was unlikely anyone would intervene or treat them. However, when we look at the ancient ancestors of dogs, wolves, they were able to consume bones without much trouble. Both wolves and dogs have the ability to handle bone consumption, but the bones must be raw. Cooked bones always carry a higher risk of internal organ damage in dogs.
The Science Behind Rib Bone Ingestion
You may have heard about the nutrients and benefits of rib bones. People even consume bone broth to extract these nutrients. Naturally, as a dog owner, you want your furry friend to receive all the nutrients they can. However, rib bones, especially when cooked, are prone to splintering and can get lodged in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. While chicken bones and others are more likely to splinter and crack than beef rib bones, all cooked bones pose a health risk to dogs that can be easily avoided.
Training Your Dog to Avoid Eating Rib Bones
Dogs don’t understand what human food they can or can’t have, so the safest approach is to avoid feeding them people food altogether, including rib bones. First, train your dog in basic commands like “no,” “stay,” and “leave it” to help with general behavior. These commands can be especially helpful if your dog is heading towards the trash where you just disposed of ribs. Additionally, teach your dog not to beg for food. This can be challenging but is doable. Make it clear that begging won’t be tolerated, and if they do it during mealtime, have them stay in their crate. If they can go through a family meal without begging, reward them with their own treat and allow them to stay out of the crate while they eat. It’s also a good idea to train your dog not to eat things off the ground, using commands like “leave it” or “drop it.”
“Keep your furry friend safe – avoid feeding them rib bones!”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Avoid feeding your dog cooked rib bones or any other cooked bones as they can splinter and pose serious health risks. Stick to dog-specific bones from the store.
2️⃣ Look out for signs that your dog has eaten a rib bone, such as choking or gagging, stomach issues, lethargy, refusal to eat, or bloody stool. If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the vet for a check-up.
3️⃣ Train your dog to avoid eating rib bones by teaching basic commands like “no,” “stay,” and “leave it.” Also, discourage begging and train them not to eat things off the ground using commands like “drop it” or “leave it.”
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Why should I avoid feeding my dog rib bones?
– Feeding your dog rib bones can put them at risk for intestinal blockage, gastrointestinal issues, choking, or even death.
2. How can I tell if my dog has eaten a rib bone?
– Look for signs such as choking or gagging, painful stomach issues, whining or crying when touched, lethargy, refusal to eat, difficulty going to the bathroom, or bloody stool.
3. What are some body language cues that my dog may have eaten a rib bone?
– Whining, shaking, weakness, and raspy panting can be signs that your dog has eaten a rib bone.
4. Why were dogs able to eat bones in the past without issues?
– Ancient ancestors of dogs, such as wolves, were able to consume raw bones without much issue. Cooked bones, however, have always posed a risk to a dog’s internal organs.
5. How can I train my dog to avoid eating rib bones?
– Train your dog to understand basic commands like “no,” “stay,” and “leave it.” Also, teach your dog not to beg and not to eat things off the ground using obedience commands like “drop it” or “leave it.”
