Should I Give My 8 Week Puppy A Bone?

The Short Answer is:

Wait until your puppy has passed the teething stage before letting him chew on bones. It usually takes between 12 and 24 weeks. Afterward, give them raw bones and store them properly to prevent bacteria from growing.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Should I Give My 8-Week Puppy A Bone?“.

The first eight weeks of a puppys life are crucial. 

During this time they mature and leave their mothers and littermates behind for a new home. 

First solid food is introduced to them at this point as they are weaned off of their mothers milk. 

Chewing raw bones is a favorite pastime for dogs. 

At what age can they actually begin to do this? 

Is it safe for owners to enter it right away or should they exercise caution?

Why would you give an 8-week-old puppy a  bone?

Dogs benefit from bones in a variety of ways. Growing puppies need as many nutrients as possible as they move out of their infancy stages.

You can imagine why giving your puppy bones to chew will help it along the way. It is however more harmful than beneficial. 

Teeth are not yet fully developed in your 8-week-old puppy. 

It is possible to damage your teeth by chewing bones. Also the teeth are extremely sharp which increases the risk of bone breaking and possibly ending up in the stomach. 

As well as choking on this they may also swallow it. 

Can I give my 8-week-old puppy bones?

Wait until your puppy has passed the teething stage before letting him chew on bones. 

It usually takes between 12 and 24 weeks. 

Afterward give them raw bones and store them properly to prevent bacteria from growing. 

You can let your dog enjoy the delicious nutrients of a fresh bone if you follow the safety steps. 

How strong are an 8-week-old puppy’s teeth?

The teeth of your puppy go through a similar process as those of humans. 

Initially they have weak milk teeth which eventually give way to permanent gnashers. The reason they should not be given bones is partly because of this.

It is expected that 28 milk teeth will be fully developed around 6 weeks. 

When a dog reaches the age of six months he will have all his adult teeth (42 in total).

Permanent adult teeth are stronger than milk teeth. Milk teeth have a thinner enamel covering than permanent teeth which partly explains this. 

My puppies have never been allowed to chew on bones even if they have healthy adult teeth.

It is also possible that your puppys teeth are sharp which is another reason why they should not be given a bone at eight weeks old. 

There is a good reason for this.

According to some experts the sharpness allows them to practice bite inhibition. 

In order to learn when not to bite with sharp teeth they must bite with sharp teeth. It only takes a quick nip from their littermate or owner to make them feel better!

In addition having had several litters of puppies myself I wonder if puppies have sharp teeth to assist in weaning.

It is too painful for the mother dog to keep feeding a puppy when its teeth are so sharp. 

Moreover gnawing on bones for eight weeks may cause puppies’ teeth to lose sharpness which would interfere with these natural processes. 

What are the best chew toys for an 8-week-old puppy?

Now that we realize that bones are probably not suitable for an 8-year-old pup what can they chew on? Do they have any chewing rights? There is no doubt about it! 

A wishbone-shaped chew toy is specifically designed for puppies who are teething. Moreover they are made of heavy-duty nylon to withstand bites.

Chewing toys made of rubber are a great option for teething babies. 

The benefits of puppy teething sticks are the same as those of human teething sticks. Dogs respond to both the same way babies do to a dummy. 

In addition to providing mental stimulation they satisfy instinctual needs.

You can drive your dog crazy by smearing peanut butter inside the toy and throwing it after its finished chewing.

Let them loose and watch them have a blast.

At what age can you start giving your puppy bones?

If you decide to give your dog a bone make sure you time it correctly. At 8 weeks its a bit early to allow your pup to chew on a bone. When they chew vigorously their milk teeth are likely to be damaged. 

It is between 12 and 24 weeks that your puppys teething activity is at its peak. It is expected that all adult teeth will be in place after six months. 

You should only give your dog a bone once all of his adult teeth have come in.

Avoid cooked bones at all costs. The best bones for your dog are uncooked chicken beef or lamb bones. 

There are many benefits to chewing raw bones including the fact that they do not splinter after chewing.

During chewing and for about an hour afterward you should keep an eye on your pup. 

This prevents a bone fragment from becoming dislodged and posing a choking hazard.

Therefore its recommended that you avoid giving them a bone at night. 

What other ways are there to keep an 8-week-old puppy from getting bored?

You can keep a puppy entertained by giving him bones and chews to keep him from getting bored. 

There are other ways to prevent them from getting restless besides these.

Provide as many toys as possible to your puppy to ensure that he has a wide variety to choose from. 

Tennis balls tug-of-war ropes and squeaky teddy bears are good starting points. 

When you have collected enough of each type rotate them so your puppy would not get bored.

The best way to combat boredom is to spend as much time outside as possible. 

Since dogs use smell to perceive the world they are obsessive about smelling lampposts and pretty much everything else. 

Additionally dogs enjoy socializing with other dogs and running around. Taking your pup for a walk with plenty of smells will settle him down.

How can you tell a puppy is getting bored?

Its a sign that your dog is bored if he barks at nothing runs around the house or chews everything in sight.

Whenever you see one of these signs its time for the chews the toys or the outside walk. The reason they love bones is now clear to you!

What’s so good about bones?

Is there anything dogs love more than bones? The first thing that stands out is the taste. The bone marrow which is buttery and semisweet is the first thing they go for. Moreover if any meat remains on the bone its a bonus.

Chewing bones also relieves boredom and stimulates the release of endorphins. As a result dogs associate chewing with happiness. Furthermore it reduces bad breath and removes plaque from the teeth.

Are bones the perfect snack for dogs then?

There are risks associated with bones unfortunately. Chewing bones can cause a bad stomach and diarrhea because bones are filled with bacteria. In some dogs the teeth are not strong enough to chew so an expensive vet bill and painful broken teeth are possible.

It has even been reported that bone fragments have caused incisions in the stomachs of dogs.

Are any bones suitable?

There may be a question in your mind as to whether dogs can chew any type of bone. The real answer is unfortunately no. There is a lot of conflicting information available. 

There are many risks associated with freshly cooked bones. It is not uncommon for them to splinter and causes a dog to suffer from a host of problems including a blockage in their windpipe rectal bleeding or peritonitis. 

There are also risks associated with shop-bought bones and rawhide bones contrary to popular belief. 

Smoking and seasoning bones can leave trace toxic chemicals which can cause contamination with E.coli or Salmonella. 

Additionally rawhide bones contain additives and preservatives that can cause toxic poisoning or cancer.

What are the best types of bones for dogs?

The majority of raw bones are perfectly edible to dogs if they havenot been cooked. It is safe to consume leftover bones from your butcher with meat and cartilage still attached.

Bones from chicken beef or lamb that have not been cooked are good options. Calcium and phosphorus are also naturally found in raw bones. 

You only need to make sure that the bone is stored correctly and kept out of the sun. Once you have used it refrigerate it for three days and then throw it away.

Even though bones are generally safe meat fragments can still carry bacterial infections if not handled properly.

What time of the day should I give my dog a bone?

You should avoid letting your pup chew their bone before bedtime because of the potential choking hazard. 

It is best to enjoy bones as soon as possible after meals. 

It may be that your pup is too vigorous with the bone if he or she is hungry. 

When it comes to the bone its good to set boundaries. Ensure it does not go off by removing it after 10-15 minutes then placing it in the refrigerator. 

How many bones should my puppy have in a week?

It is generally recommended to allow two bones per week if you are concerned about how many you should allow. The portions should be spaced out as much as possible. 

Make sure your pup understands that it is an occasional treat and set some boundaries.

It takes training and perseverance to succeed here just like toilet training and rewarding good behavior!

What alternatives to bones are available?

It may be beneficial to use teething toys instead of bones when your child is teething. Can you think of anything similar that has to do with food?

There is no doubt that carrots are a good choice. 

As well as being tough they’re packed with nutrients so your puppy will find them an interesting challenge.

A carrot will also not harm your dog. 

In addition to being very safe Dentastix is also very effective. 

Whenever your dog chews on a chewable item he or she should be monitored at all times. 

Besides having excellent dental benefits Dentastix is low in fat and sugar-free. As well as being free of artificial colors and junk they are also environmentally friendly.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.