Dogs can chew on some bones, but not all bones are safe. The biggest concern is that bones can break teeth, cause choking, or splinter and injure the digestive tract.
Never give dogs cooked bones. Cooking makes bones more brittle, increasing the chance that they splinter. Avoid:
You should also be cautious with raw bones. While some pet owners give dogs raw recreational bones, they aren’t risk-free and can carry bacteria, cause dental fractures, or lead to gastrointestinal obstruction.
If a veterinarian says bones are appropriate for your individual dog, large raw bones that are too large to swallow are generally less likely to splinter than cooked bones. However, even raw bones can cause problems.
For example, very hard weight-bearing bones from large animals can be strong enough to fracture a dog’s teeth.
For dogs who love to chew, consider veterinarian-recommended:
Always supervise your dog with a chew and remove it if it becomes small enough to swallow or begins breaking apart.
Bottom line: There isn’t a completely risk-free bone for dogs. Cooked bones should be avoided, and raw bones should only be considered after discussing the risks with your veterinarian and choosing an appropriately sized product.