Is your dog's favourite treat secretly putting them in danger?
- Replies 7
We really enjoy giving our dogs human food, like the leftovers from our meals or special treats.
But sometimes, we might not realise that some of these foods can be harmful to our pets—that they can potentially choke, get bits of bones stuck in their teeth, or even feel anxious, among other concerns.
Unfortunately, a recent incident involving a woman named Henrietta Barnard showed why we should be more careful about these dangers.
Ms Barnard had to rush her eight-month-old boxer-Rottweiler crossbreed, Nancy, to the emergency veterinary clinic after the pup got itself in trouble.
The situation occurred after she had given Nancy a bone to soothe her teething.
Thinking this was a safe solution, she left the little dog alone with the knuckle joint—only to later find out that quite the opposite had happened.
‘Nancy chews a lot, and at dog training, they suggested we get her a knuckle joint. It was huge, so we didn't think for a moment there would be any problem,’ said Ms Barnard.
‘But she managed to break a horseshoe-shaped bit off without us noticing until later that evening when it got locked in her mouth. It was trapped behind her front teeth and then hooked under her jaw.’
‘She couldn't get it out, and it was well and truly wedged. My husband tried to slip it free, but it was stuck solid, and she was starting to scrape to get it off and getting in quite a state.’
Amelie Brewer, a Veterinary Nurse, confirmed that the dog displayed signs of anxiety upon arrival at the clinic.
‘When Nancy came in, she was very distressed and panicked and we gave her some pain relief to relax her,’ she said.
‘The vet and myself tried to prise the bone off, but it was obviously still causing pain. We gave her further quick-acting medication to sedate her and were able to prise it off after a few minutes.’
For this reason, Ms Barnard wanted to warn all dog owners about the risks of giving dogs bones.
‘We've totally banned bones now and bought really tough big chew toys instead, as we wouldn't want to go through anything like that again,’ she said.
Choosing chew toys over bones for your dog is a safer choice for several reasons.
While bones may seem like a traditional treat, they can pose significant health risks to your pet.
Dogs can suffer from blockages when they ingest splinters or large bone fragments, which may require costly veterinary interventions. Swallowing bones can also harm their digestive tract.
Chew toys, on the other hand, are designed with safety in mind. They are typically made from materials that are less likely to splinter or break into sharp pieces.
These toys provide a safe outlet for your dog's natural chewing instincts, help maintain dental health, and reduce the risk of costly emergency vet visits.
So, when considering your dog's well-being during playtime, choosing chew toys is a responsible and safer option.
Members, we'd love to hear your input on this topic. Do you prefer feeding your dogs raw bones or using chew toys? If you opt for chew toys, which ones do you recommend? Please share your insights and experiences in the comments below!
But sometimes, we might not realise that some of these foods can be harmful to our pets—that they can potentially choke, get bits of bones stuck in their teeth, or even feel anxious, among other concerns.
Unfortunately, a recent incident involving a woman named Henrietta Barnard showed why we should be more careful about these dangers.
Ms Barnard had to rush her eight-month-old boxer-Rottweiler crossbreed, Nancy, to the emergency veterinary clinic after the pup got itself in trouble.
The situation occurred after she had given Nancy a bone to soothe her teething.
Thinking this was a safe solution, she left the little dog alone with the knuckle joint—only to later find out that quite the opposite had happened.
Choking can be fatal for dogs if they are unable to clear their throat obstruction, leading to suffocation and death. Image source: Pixabay
‘Nancy chews a lot, and at dog training, they suggested we get her a knuckle joint. It was huge, so we didn't think for a moment there would be any problem,’ said Ms Barnard.
‘But she managed to break a horseshoe-shaped bit off without us noticing until later that evening when it got locked in her mouth. It was trapped behind her front teeth and then hooked under her jaw.’
‘She couldn't get it out, and it was well and truly wedged. My husband tried to slip it free, but it was stuck solid, and she was starting to scrape to get it off and getting in quite a state.’
Amelie Brewer, a Veterinary Nurse, confirmed that the dog displayed signs of anxiety upon arrival at the clinic.
‘When Nancy came in, she was very distressed and panicked and we gave her some pain relief to relax her,’ she said.
‘The vet and myself tried to prise the bone off, but it was obviously still causing pain. We gave her further quick-acting medication to sedate her and were able to prise it off after a few minutes.’
For this reason, Ms Barnard wanted to warn all dog owners about the risks of giving dogs bones.
‘We've totally banned bones now and bought really tough big chew toys instead, as we wouldn't want to go through anything like that again,’ she said.
Choosing chew toys over bones for your dog is a safer choice for several reasons.
While bones may seem like a traditional treat, they can pose significant health risks to your pet.
Dogs can suffer from blockages when they ingest splinters or large bone fragments, which may require costly veterinary interventions. Swallowing bones can also harm their digestive tract.
Raw bones can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, choking, and even death for dogs. Image source: Pixabay
Chew toys, on the other hand, are designed with safety in mind. They are typically made from materials that are less likely to splinter or break into sharp pieces.
These toys provide a safe outlet for your dog's natural chewing instincts, help maintain dental health, and reduce the risk of costly emergency vet visits.
So, when considering your dog's well-being during playtime, choosing chew toys is a responsible and safer option.
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