Healthy dog bones may be fed to your pet and come in many forms, from natural bones to artificial products. It is important to consider the benefits and the risks of the different bone types and choose the right product for your dog.

Bones Are Important for Your Bull Terrier's Health

There are many health benefits that dogs get from chewing bones:

1. The dental health in dogs is maintained by their natural habit of chewing on various hard objects or food.
2. Chewing on a bone will help remove plaque off the teeth.
3. The gums will be healthier due to the removal of bacterial plaque.
4. Many dental problems and visits to the dentist can be avoided by giving a dog something to chew on.
5. Chewing healthy dog bones helps exercise mouth joints and muscles.
6. Chewing bones is a form of entertainment for dogs.
7. A dog that has nothing to chew on can more easily become nervous or bored

 Risks of Bones for Dogs

Chewing is a great pleasure for a dog; however, there are some things you should consider:

Cooked bones should be avoided because they tend to hinder digestion. Never give sawed or cut bones to your dog, as there is a high risk of bone splinters.

More and more dog owners are considering raw diets for their dogs, and bones are often included in this diet. However, you should know that there is a chance of choking on a bone, or a bone fragment can block the dog's intestines or cause organ puncture.

Rawhide bones taste like beef, because they're made of cow skin. As rawhide becomes sticky when chewed, it may become stuck in the dog's intestinal tract, just as chewing gum would. Also, as pieces of the rawhide are torn, they can scratch the dog's oesophagus.  If you decide to give rawhide bones to your dog, you should also check the preservatives used. Compressed rawhide bones are a better option.

Cow hooves can also be dangerous. Because they are very hard, the dog can break a tooth while chewing on them. Small pieces broken from the cow hoof can perforate the bowel walls.

When it comes to pig ears, the first thing you should be aware of is the danger of salmonella. Pig ears can also cause intestinal blockages, just as rawhide.

Recommended Healthy Dog Bones

Artificial bones which are made of nylon eliminate the risk of choking or organ punctures, because only small bits can be broken off these bones. These really small parts travel through the digestive tract and are eliminated without harming the dog. However, your dog might not enjoy them as much, so you will have to observe his reaction and whether he enjoys these bones.

Cornstarch bones are the safest for dogs to chew on, provided that the dog does not have food allergies.

Our recommendation is the raw beef knuckle bones as shown below.

If you would like to know what not to feed dogs, you need to know what is toxic and may possibly create intolerances in dogs. Not all human food is good for dogs. A dog that is fed only table leftovers may get obese, have a poor health and possibly eat food that is toxic.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten something toxic, make him vomit and go to the vet immediately.

Grapes

Grapes shouldn't be fed to dogs. Grapes may poison the dog and lead to kidney failure. A dog may get poisoned by ingesting only 4 to 5 grapes. Raisins are as toxic as grapes.

Onions

Onions may cause the Heinz anemia in dogs. This type of anemia leads to a low red blood cell count and kidney failure. Garlic or chives are also toxic for dogs.

Onions and garlic are the most poisonous when raw, but you should avoid feeding your dog even cooked or fried onion or garlic.

The symptoms of Heinz anemia include pale gums, heart murmur, tiredness, vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the urine.

The pet will need blood transfusions and fluid therapy.

Chocolate

Chocolate is toxic for dogs, as it contains theobromide. Cocoa is also toxic for dogs.

The dose of chocolate that causes poisoning in dogs depends on the type of chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most toxic and 2 ounces may be fatal for your dog.

Coffee

Coffee contains the same toxic chemical as chocolate and cocoa. Make sure your dog also stays away from drinks that contain caffeine such as sodas or black tea.

Alcohol/Ethanol

Dogs may get poisoning from just a few drops of alcohol. Ethanol is contained in all alcoholic beverages and is the ingredient that is toxic for dogs.

Yeast dough may also contain ethanol, so keep your dog away from yeast as well. Also, rotten fruit may also produce ethanol.

Nuts

Nuts, especially macadamia nuts are toxic for pets. Just a few nuts may poison your dog; however just a few nuts are not fatal to dogs.

Fruit Seeds and Pits

Some fruit seeds and pits may contain cyanide:

1. Apple
2. Peach
3. Apricots
4. Plum
5. Cherry

So make sure to remove the seeds and pits when you feed these fruits to your dog.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener that may be present in candy, soda or chewing gum. Xylitol may lead to liver damage. Only 2 pieces of gum may cause hypoglycemia, while 12 pieces cause liver damage.

Symptoms of Poisoning

If a dog ingests a poisonous substance he will display the following symptoms:

1. Vomiting
2. Loss of appetite
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal pain
5. Weakness
6. Collapse
7. Seizures

The symptoms may occur 1 to 24 hours after the ingestion of the toxic ingredient. Try to induce vomiting if you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic food. This may prevent the absorption of the toxic ingredient. Go to the vet immediately for a gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal and further treatment.