Dogs love bones.
They do their best to guard them and sometimes even dig a hole to bury their bones, just to reserve them for later snacks.
We’re all used to this kind of scenario.
And we naturally think this is alright for dogs. But is it safe?
Can dogs eat bones? Or more specifically, cartilages?
The answer depends if the bones are cooked or raw.
It’s not safe for dogs to eat cooked bones and cartilage because these can easily shatter and cause stomach injuries and other digestive problems. However, it’s fine for dogs to eat raw cartilage and bones.
In this article, we will dive deeper into this question and discuss why dogs can eat cartilage and why they should avoid eating cooked bones.
We’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about dogs eating bones and what we can do to help our dogs avoid health problems.
What Is Cartilage?
Cartilage is the end part of a bone with a soft and chewy texture.
It is a connective tissue that holds the bones together via the joint. These are found on the knees, shoulders, hips, and ribs. It also has a firm and rubbery texture because it serves as the bones’ shock absorber every time it moves.
Can Dogs Eat Cartilage?
Yes, dogs can eat cartilage. Aside from it being safe to eat, cartilage also contains many nutrients that can improve your dog’s health.
One of these is glucosamine, a supplement that strengthens your dog’s bones and muscles.
This also helps fight arthritis in aging dogs. It’s best to include cartilage in your dog’s daily diet so they regularly get glucosamine that strengthens their skeletal system.
Is Cartilage Healthy For Dogs?
Yes, cartilage is healthy for dogs because this strengthens their bones, joints, and dental health.
Eating or chewing cartilage also cleans their teeth because the sticky texture removes bacteria, germs, and food particles stuck on your dog’s teeth and gums. This also helps prevent bad breath and gum disease.
Should You Give Cartilage To Dogs?
Yes, you can give cartilage to your dogs. But make sure it’s not cooked. Also, ensure that this doesn’t include cooked bones because these can easily shatter when bitten.
The bones’ sharp edges can even lacerate your dog’s stomach and cause intestinal obstruction.
And even if the cartilage is softer and chewier compared to bones, it can still pose health risks to your dog if they don’t chew it and they immediately swallow the whole piece.
What Is The Best Kind Of Cartilage For Dogs?
The best kinds of cartilage you can give your dogs are chicken feet, pigtail, and beef trachea.
Chicken feet are made mostly of cartilage and contain a lot of glucosamine. However, it’s better to give them beef trachea because it’s bigger and has more glucosamine. Pigtail is also a good choice, but pork contains more fats and calories than chicken and beef.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Bones?
Most people might think that dogs can eat cooked bones because that’s what they usually see growing up.
However, things have changed a lot since then, and new studies confirm that feeding cooked bones to dogs is dangerous because they easily break and splinter when digested.
This can then cause lacerations inside the intestinal tract. There are also times when dogs choke and suffocate because of the stuck bone.
More people are now following the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet for their dogs which involves feeding them raw meat just like how their wolf ancestors did thousands of years ago.
What Bones Should Dogs Avoid?
Dogs shouldn’t eat bones from the legs of pork, beef, and lamb, because they are very hard and big and can cause teeth damage in the long run.
It is best to give them raw bones from smaller animals like chickens and ducks because they’re softer and smaller. We also recommend discarding the bone once its soft outer layer has been gnawed to prevent teeth injuries.
Why Is It Dangerous To Give Bones To Dogs?
It is dangerous to give your dogs bones if they are cooked because they can easily shatter and lacerate their stomach linings.
This can also cause intestinal obstruction, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and more serious digestive problems.
Meanwhile, there are also some dogs that can’t tolerate eating raw bones, and they suffer severe constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you want to ensure safety, you should feed them cartilage instead of bones.
So, Can Dogs Eat Cartilage?
Yes, dogs can eat cartilage. It’s safe for them and is also rich in glucosamine and collagen, which are nutrients that help strengthen bone, joint, and skin health.
Just be sure you don’t give them cooked bones or cartilage to prevent digestive problems and injuries.