What kind of real bones are safe to give to a puppy. Was always told to never give dogs chicken bones because they can choke on them. So, we gave our 13 week old puppy a spare rib bone and we think he ate the entire thing in about a half hour. Is this even possible, and how dangerous is it? We called the vet and he said he would most likely digest it, but I want to know if anyone else has had this experience and/or knows what is safe and what is not. Thanks!

Most bones are safe for dogs. Just like humans, dogs take the chance that when they swallow a smaller piece of bone that it will lodge sideways in the dog's throat. The compressed bones made up of bone meal and various nutritional supplements are a safer but costlier bet. If you really want to make your dog happy then give him plenty of attention and exercise.

What is safe is very dependent on the dog itself. Some dogs are capable of splintering even fairly large bones. Any bone the dog gnaws down and swallows is dangerous. Even if it isn't splintered into sharp points, the dog could choke on it or have trouble passing it. Large bones that the dog gnaws on without consuming it very quickly are safer than smaller ones. The safest of the natural bones are the large, boiled ones from the pet store.

As much as the dogs enjoy real bones and rawhide, they are safer without them. The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
Pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not
There to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a
Close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
Pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
Chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made
Lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
Foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get
Them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch
Carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

My 8 month and 10 year old Labs don't have anything to chew except the Kongs, rigid plastic bones and my poly ropes. The 10 year old quickly destroys anything else. They are both very good about not chewing other things.

Feel free to come back. I am on my 14'th puppy since 1991, and have lots of experience to share.

I have just given my doxi who is 10 weeks old a knuckle bone from the butcher.. the advice given was under supervision and you should be OK.

No dog was ever harmed by not being given bones and rawhide.