Many dog owners know not to toss a turkey or chicken bone to their dog; those bones are just too brittle. But, the US Food and Drug Administration says the risk goes beyond that, especially when it comes to “bone treats” from the store.

FDA has received about 68 reports of pet illnesses related to “bone treats,” which differ from uncooked butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. A variety of commercially-available bone treats for dogs —including treats described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones” — were listed in the reports. The products may be dried through a smoking process or by baking, and may contain other ingredients such as preservatives, seasoning and smoke flavouring.

So, if you’re planning to give your dog a stocking full of bone treats this holiday season, think again. Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine says, “Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet.”

Illnesses reported to FDA by owners and veterinarians in dogs that have eaten bone treats include gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract), choking, cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, and/or death. Approximately, fifteen dogs reportedly died after eating bone treats.

Keep your pet safe by keeping platters out of their reach while cooking or eating. Chicken and other bones from the kitchen table can cause injury when chewed by pets. Be careful about putting bones in the trash. Dogs are notorious for helping themselves from there too. Talk with your veterinarian about toys or treats that are appropriate for your dog. There are many available products made with different materials for dogs to chew on.

Source: USFDA

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