Knick-Knack, Paddy-Whack, Don’t Give Your Dog That Bone!

FDA Issues Warning Against Giving Dogs Bones

It seems dogs generally keep their political views to themselves, but if they might have a thing or two to say to the Food and Drug Administration recent proclamation that it’s unsafe to give bones to dogs.

The FDA recently announcement reminded pet owners that even larger bones are unsafe for our furry four-legged friends, no matter how much they might like to chomp on them.

10 Reasons to Pass

The FDA spelled out 10 reasons we should pass on tossing our dogs a bone, most of which could spell-out a trip to the vet at best and be deadly at worst:

•    Bones are hard enough to break teeth.

•    Chewing bones can cause sharp edges and splinters that are the common source of mouth or tongue injuries.

•    Certain bones can get looped around the dog’s lower jaw – a painful and frightening injury that could require immediate veterinary assistance.

•    Bones that are stuck in the esophagus can cause the dog to choke and be either deadly or require emergency surgery.

•    Bones also can become trapped in the windpipe, also necessitating surgery.

•    Some bones are too big to pass through the stomach and would need to be surgically removed.

•    Even if a bone can pass through the stomach, it may still get stuck in the intestines and need to be surgically removed.

•    Bone fragments can cause constipation.

•    Bone splinters and fragments passed through the stool can cause rectal bleeding – a frightening experience that often results in an unnecessary trip to the veterinarian.

By far the most deadly potential consequence of giving dogs bones is the possibility that a bone fragment or splinter could puncture the stomach or intestines, causing a life-threatening infection called peritonitis.

While bones may be man’s oldest way to reward his best friend, the risks far outweigh the benefits, according to the FDA.