At what age can I give my puppy a bone?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “At what age can I give my puppy a bone?“.

Would you like to start giving your puppy bones as soon as possible? Then read this research and discover when the right time is to give your pet a bone to chew.

The combination of dogs and bones is a natural one but you should be extra careful when giving your little dog natural bones to chew on. Babies are not yet able to handle bones. The result could be vomiting diarrhea an upset stomach or worse choking.

1. Why do puppies chew bones?

Generally dogs enjoy chewing especially bones. Their natural instinct is to chew. There are several reasons why dogs chew. It may be for nutritional reasons or for enjoyment. There could also be a lack of stimulation or boredom involved.

However puppies chew bones mainly because they are teething and want to relieve their discomfort. They can chew just about anything that they can get their teeth into. Its part of their nature. 

In the same way that babies use their hands and mouths to explore puppies use their mouths to satisfy their curiosity. However it is also important to keep in mind that giving bones to puppies can also be dangerous. Therefore it is important to watch your dog when he chews especially if it is the very first time you are giving him a bone.

2. What are bones “made out of”?

Collagen and calcium make up the bones. A protein called collagen provides a soft framework while calcium maintains a strong and hard framework. There are also two types of bone namely cortical (compact) bone and trabecular (cancellous) bone. Dense strong and tough is the first type while light and less dense is the second type.

In terms of composition as well as function human and other mammals’ bones are almost identical.

There are dog owners who give their pets bones with meat still attached to them and that is how they get more nutrients. Your poochs bone may contain the so-called bone marrow which is another source of vitamins and minerals.

3. Bones for puppies 12 weeks

From weeks 12 to 24 your puppys teething activity peaks. As your puppy reaches 12 to 16 weeks old you can expect that adult teeth have already begun erupting which can cause a lot of discomforts. Consequently they become more aggressive when chewing.

You can introduce bones to your dog around the age of 12 weeks. It is important to note that you should only feed raw bones and not those that have been cooked. You should also introduce this gradually and serve your puppy bones that are large enough so that he cannot swallow the whole thing.

When your dog chews on bones it ensures that it is chewing actively which is quite helpful in relieving teething discomfort. There are additional benefits for its dental health as well. Keeping a dogs teeth and gums healthy and strong is made possible with it.

Raw lamb ribs and flaps as well as chicken wings are great choices for serving bones. If your dog is experiencing constipation or diarrhea for the first time after receiving bones monitor his condition. You may need to switch to a different type of bone or stop providing bones until the issue is resolved.

Additionally you should provide your puppy with meaty bones so that he can get more nutrients.

4. Bones for puppies 8 weeks

People wonder if its safe to start giving bones to their 8-week old dogs since they notice that they are becoming more aggressive chewers. When puppies are teething they can chew on anything they can reach which can be a nuisance. Your shoes your couch your carpets could be chewed on. Thats not what you want!

As early as 3 weeks puppy teeth may begin to emerge. It is not unusual for a puppy to chew non-stop until he has all his baby teeth which he should have by 6 to 8 weeks of age. In this stage of development a puppy may still be in the litter and is still learning how to chew and even eat dog food. Be aware that baby teeth are fragile. Broken teeth are very painful. For this reason puppies under 8 weeks of age should not be given bones.

You can provide safe chews in place of hard bones which will certainly entertain and satisfy your pup at this age.

You can choose from a variety of chewing alternatives. If you do not have rubber toys you can get Kongs which you can fill with peanut butter or soft food for your dog. The bottom line is that you need to choose chews that are specifically designed to aid your child during teething. The chews should be safe and flexible.

5. What age can you give a puppy a marrow bone?

Puppies who are at least 12 weeks old can be given marrow bones. In addition to what we have mentioned above their adult teeth should have started appearing by this point and their chewing ability is much better. In addition their teeth are already stronger at this point.

As with anything there are pros and cons to giving marrow bones to puppies. The bones provide puppies with vitamins minerals and protein. Dogs can also enjoy chewing them for recreational purposes. However raw bones may also be dangerous for them. Fractures of teeth gastroenteritis as well as intestinal obstruction can be caused by them.

In order to keep your pooch safe you should give your pooch fresh marrow bones every once in a while. The bone should be disposed of once your dog has eaten the marrow and dried up. Why? Bones become brittle when they dry up causing them to break easily and splinter.

In addition bone marrow is high in fats and calories so your dog may not be able to handle too much of it. For this reason you can discard some of it.

6. Can a puppy chew bones when teething?

In general taking care of a dog is like caring for a real baby. It involves responsibilities and can sometimes feel overwhelming. Especially once your furry friend starts to teethe. They will start chewing on anything and everything. And when we say ‘anything’ that’s literally everything! There can be some very destructive behavior during this time. Therefore the best thing that you can do for your pup is to keep him busy. Provide him with chew toys that are safe for him. As a result he will be relieved of the pain and discomfort especially if he also has teeth erupting at the same time.

If your puppy is teething you must be wondering whether to give him bones. The answer will depend on his age as well as his ability to chew. What kind of adult teeth does he have? In that case you can give him raw bones. You should give him rubber toys if his teeth have not fully erupted. If your puppy is teething vets recommend that you should not give them anything that can not bend. Its important to know that most bones particularly baby teeth are hard and could cause damage to your pets teeth.

7. Best place to get raw bones for dogs?

It is generally recommended that small dogs get small bones while larger dogs can chew on larger bones.

You can serve chicken necks that are about the size of an index finger if you have a small breed of dog. In addition duck feet or wings are also available at the market.

Dogs of medium size should be fed duck necks the size of carrots. Turkey wings chicken thighs and carcasses are also good.

Alternatively if you have a large dog you should consider giving larger bones such as lamb ribs neckpieces and wild venison ribs. We would also be interested in chicken and duck carcasses as well as turkey wings.

A whole set of wild venison ribs and necks would be ideal for a large dog. Various supermarkets carry these products. Alternatively you can contact a butcher in your area to find better options. He may also be able to provide you with the exact cuts you need.

No matter what size or age your dog is never give them cooked bones. Make sure your pet does not overeat bones either.

Conclusion

The meatier the bones the better they are for dogs. Your puppy should be introduced to bones at the right time and with the right type of bone. When you give bones to your puppy you must be extra careful. Make sure your dog is through teething and his age is taken into account when feeding him. 

If you want to read more about puppies-related updates read here: Puppies.

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