Ask the Expert: Pet Nutrition

Most Recent Question

Would it be safe for our puppy to chew on a large beef marrow bone that's been cooked in soup?

—Rachel

It’s a good idea to provide something for your dog to chew on, Rachel, both for the dental benefits and because chewing is a normal canine behavior. However, every bone poses some risk, since sharp or large pieces may be ingested.

You may want to consider a safe chew toy, such as a Kong. These toys can be stuffed with food, are nearly indestructible and also provide many of the same benefits as bones do in terms of chewing and mental stimulation.

If you’re still interested in giving your puppy bones to chew on, please remember to avoid chicken bones—they splinter easily. Standard raw bones can be dangerous, too, since there is a potential for foodborne disease from the bacteria present on raw meat. Thoroughly cooking bones can prevent foodborne disease, but this may make the bones softer and more likely to splinter. You may want to consider going with sterilized bones, which will not have the same bacterial presence. These are available online and at pet supply stores.

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