With so many bones available in pet stores, you would think they’re good for dogs, but the reality is bones can lead to serious injuries. 

It’s a myth that dogs need to chew on animal bones. Bones are often marketed as a way to clean your dog’s teeth, helping to remove plaque and tartar, therefore reducing the risk of periodontal disease. However that’s just not the case, whether or not they are packaged and sold in pet stores as treats. Because animal bones are as hard as, or harder than dogs’ teeth, it’s easy for them to break a tooth while gnawing or chewing on bones. 

Broken teeth are painful and must be treated—either through extraction or a root canal surgery. Bones can also splinter leading to serious injuries in the mouth and digestive tract. Fragments of bone can become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestine leading to painful blockages, often requiring emergency surgery. Bones with a hole in the center can get looped around the lower jaw requiring sedation or anesthesia in order to cut off the bone. And finally, raw bones can be contaminated with bacteria which may cause illness in the dog but do pose a serious health risk to the people living in the home.

Instead, keep those pearly whites gleaming with these veterinarian-approved products.