Important warning for dog owners: Do not feed them bones!

Veterinarian Uğur Selin Çelikten emphasized that dogs chewing on bones can lead to serious health problems and urged pet owners to be more careful in this regard.

The expert veterinarian shared important information regarding the health problems that feeding bones can cause in dogs. Stating that while dogs chewing on bones is often seen as a behavior that makes them happy, it can actually bring serious health risks, she noted.

CHEWING BONES IS NOT GOOD FOR TEETH

Explaining the dangers of feeding bones to dogs with the words, "The belief that giving bones to dogs is good for their teeth is a complete myth...", the veterinarian warned, "Our little friends should not eat a material that is too hard for us to eat. While bones can lead to wear, cracks, and fractures in teeth, sharp bone fragments can cut soft tissues in the mouth, get stuck in the palate, or be swallowed and lead to choking," and drew attention to this important detail:

"Tooth fractures are a very painful process for dogs. If left untreated, fractured teeth can lead to infections and jaw problems. I would also like to remind you that the treatment process for tooth fractures is both long and expensive. Bones are not a safe reward or toy for dogs. You can choose chew toys instead."

RISK OF INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

"To resolve intestinal obstructions, the bone fragment must be removed surgically. Sharp bone fragments can even puncture the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. For this reason, the patient's condition can deteriorate rapidly and suddenly, requiring emergency intervention. Moreover, if your cute friend found this bone on the street and it is a bone from spoiled meat, it can cause poisoning in addition to obstruction. In such a case, the patient may have interactions with anesthetics during surgery. As a veterinarian, I have witnessed every one of these possibilities dozens of times throughout my professional life."

Providing the information that "Sometimes pet families want to reward their dog with a bone as an innocent gesture, and sometimes the dog can steal a bone from the street or the house," Çelikten reminded of the importance of walking dogs with a muzzle when necessary.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR DOG IS CHASING BONES?

The veterinarian answered the question of how to behave toward a dog that chases bones as follows:

"If your little friend is stealing bones even though you do not give them any, you should keep their leash short while outside, and if you still cannot prevent it, you should consider walking them with a muzzle.

At home, we can keep the kitchen door closed and put the trash in a place they cannot reach to prevent the risk of our dear friends rummaging through the trash and stealing bones.

Pet parents at home might think that raw bones are safer than cooked bones because cooked bones are very sharp. However, in addition to the same risks being present in raw bones, there are also bacterial risks."