Key facts at a glance
- In the first six weeks of life, puppies should generally not get any bones.
- To avoid swallowing splinters, puppies should only eat raw bones.
- The bone should be large enough that the puppy cannot swallow it.
- Too many bones can lead to a harmful oversupply of minerals.
Puppies have a natural instinct to chew
Many a dog owner knows from past experience that a little puppy’s urge to chew can sometimes be hard to stop. Suitable alternatives such as bones provide distraction and thus help to protect clothing and furnishings from the sharp teeth of the little four-legged friend.
When can you give puppies bones?
In the first six weeks of life, dog owners should generally refrain from giving their puppies bones. Because the stomach of the little four-legged friend is not yet able to break down the calcium in the bones at the beginning.
Feeding them bones too early can therefore lead to so-called bone droppings. This clogs the intestines and may even necessitate an operation followed by a stay in hospital.
What bones are suitable for puppies?
As with adult dogs, puppies should always be fed raw bones. Because with cooked bones, there is a high risk that they will splinter when chewed and swallowed splinters will cause dangerous injuries.
It is also important that the bone is large enough that the puppy cannot swallow it all at once. Otherwise, in the worst case, a life-threatening intestinal obstruction can occur.
Bones from younger animals, such as calves, are particularly suitable, as they are still comparatively elastic and therefore do not splinter as quickly. However, if small pieces break off the bone, it is advisable to remove them before the puppy can swallow them.
Risks of bones for puppies
The desire to give a puppy a bone to chew on is quite understandable. However, dog owners should note that the consumption of bones is associated with certain risks, especially for young dogs.
Among other things, there is a risk of an oversupply of minerals such as calcium. In addition, eating too much bone can cause digestive problems in the form of constipation. In addition, it is quite possible that tooth fractures and injuries in the mouth of the small four-legged friend occur.
Puppies and bones – our conclusion
As you can see, there is nothing wrong with giving your puppy a raw bone as a chew from time to time. However, avoid using bones as a meal replacement.
Regarding the nutrient supply, it is better to limit yourself to a high-quality puppy food, the composition of which is precisely tailored to the needs of your puppy. Because that is clearly the better way to support the healthy development of your young four-legged friend.