It’s a question that seems to come up all the time. Can dogs eat pork bones? This blog post details whether or not you should feed your dog pork bones and the potential risks. The article also includes advice from vets, nutritionists, and dog experts on how to decide whether or not you should give your pooches a treat. We’ll start by looking at two common questions people ask about pork bones and then break down the answers in more detail.
Below you can read what to do if your dog has eaten a pork bone, how to ensure your dog gets enough calcium, and find out whether it’s safe to give dogs white meat.
If you have any questions or concerns about whether or not it’s safe for your dogs to eat pork bones, then read on.
Pork Bones and Your Dog
Many people ask whether it’s safe for dogs to eat pork bones. The short answer is yes, it’s okay, but there are some things to consider first.
Can dogs eat pork bones?
The first thing you need to know is that the risk of your dog choking on a pork bone is very small. However, this still doesn’t mean that you should encourage your pooch to eat bones just because they’re safe.
If you’re still unsure, you should follow this advice from veterinary expert Dr. Jonathan Tait.
“There have been some reports of choking or obstruction in dogs that have eaten pork or processed bacon, but it’s a very small number of cases. The worrying thing is the amount of meat swallowed and the small amount that gets stuck in the esophagus. But if your dog is playing with bones and manages to swallow a large piece, it is more likely to get stuck and cause a blockage. It is the same with any food that your dog may swallow.”
Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Any Bones
Before going into more detail about the different types of bones and how to feed your dog pig’s bones, it’s worth mentioning that dogs shouldn’t eat any bones at all. This includes chicken bones, turkey bones, and even pig’s ears, snouts, and hooves.
Why? Because they’re made of cartilage and are much too hard to digest for your dog. If your dog eats a pig’s ear, it will stay in the dog’s throat for a long time. It could cause inflammation and an abscess, and it will have a very unpleasant effect on your dog’s digestive system.
What Should You Feed Your Dog?
Pigs’ bones come in several different types of meat. They’re a good source of calcium and phosphorus and contain many vitamins and minerals. They can be digested by dogs more quickly than the bones of other animals.
For example, pork ribs are very hard for your dog to digest because they’re mostly made out of cartilage. But if you feed your dog pork knuckles, they will be able to eat them because most of the cartilage has been taken out before cooking.
On the other hand, a pork shoulder is very chewy and may cause your pet to choke if it manages to swallow one.
Which Pork Bones Can I Give My Dog?
Here are some examples of the best and worst pork bones for dogs:
The Worst Pork Bones to Give Your Dog:
Pork knuckles
These are very hard for your dog to digest. They’re also difficult to chew because they contain a lot of cartilage.
Pork ribs
Very likely to obstruct your dog’s throat.
Pork hooves
These are not a good idea because your dog will probably swallow them whole. They’re also difficult for your pet to digest and may cause stomach problems.
The Best Pork Bones to Give Your Dog
Pork chop bones
These are easy for your dog to chew and digest, but you should still avoid feeding them whole because they may get lodged in the esophagus or windpipe.
Pork steaks
These are the most accessible bones for your dog to eat and digest.
What If My Dog Ate A Pork Bone?
If your dog has eaten a pork rib or pork knuckle, then you should make sure that you don’t force them to vomit. This can worsen the blockage and lead to an obstruction or even choking. When your dog is vomiting, he mustn’t get food stuck in his throat. If your dog has eaten a pork bone, you should make sure that he’s standing up and has lots of space around him. You should avoid forcing him to sit or lie down.
Food can more easily get stuck in your dog’s windpipe or esophagus in this position. If you’re worried that your dog may have eaten a pork bone, then you can try holding him in the following way:
Sit down with one leg stretched out and the other leg folded so there is a big gap between your knees. You’re going to turn your dog so that he’s lying on his chest and then put him in the gap. Your dog needs to have a lot of space around his head so that he can’t lie down.
In this position, your dog won’t be able to fall asleep or roll over because he’ll be lying on his chest and won’t have any space to move because his head is trapped between your knees. He won’t be able to swallow any food either.
If your dog has eaten a pork chop bone, you should avoid giving him water. This is because water can get into the esophagus or windpipe and block them up even more.
How to Stop Dogs Eating Pork Bones
The best way to stop your dog from eating pork bones is to remove them from his environment. You can do this by:
Cooking them
If you cook pork bones in the oven, then your dog won’t be able to smell them. Cooking pork bones will make them more digestible and less tempting for dogs.
Using a sheet of foil
This is a great way to stop dogs from eating bones because they’ll be unable to see or smell them.
Placing the bones in a closed box
This is another excellent way to hide the pork bones from your dog. If you use a closed box, your dog won’t be able to smell the pork bones either.
If your dog has managed to eat a pork bone, you should ensure that it doesn’t get stuck in the esophagus or windpipe. If your dog is still eating them, you need to take him to the vet straight away. No matter what pork bone your dog has eaten, it can cause an obstruction. Although pork bones usually cause no problems, they can get stuck in the esophagus or windpipe when they’re swallowed whole. This is why it’s best to avoid giving them to your dog because they may be eaten whole or cause an obstruction.
reference:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-pork-bones/
