Oh, Dog Bones—the classic chew toy your pet will find hours of entertainment value. But when we refer to smoked bones, the waters become more hazy than that of a muddy pond following rain. Let’s examine the specifics closely and separate the tasty morsels from the realities on bone-dryness. Discover more?
To smoke or not at all? Regarding chewables filled with marrow, owners sometimes find themselves on the margins and feel more conflicted than with a stuffed toy following a playday. Though they have their own appeal, smoked bones raise some reasonable issues. Giving my dog a smoked bone is like handing a toddler my smartphone—risk and reward all wrapped in one, a buddy of mine once said.
First of all, burned bones can be hard—like rock-hard. Under pressure, a dog’s teeth may fracture like a nut from this toughness. I assume you have heard the adage, “Go big or go home.” Regarding bones, it more like “Go soft or head to the vet.” You could want to pick less stiff bones to help avoid dental crises.
Let us now specifically address splinters. These can be as annoying as a splinter in your finger while you are working on a birdhouse. A calamity just waiting to happen, smoked bones might break. On a hot tin roof, shards once consumed can wre havoc more quickly than a cat. Since internal injuries are no laughing matter, always maintain an eagle eye while your dog handles any bone.
Watch out for the salt trap. Had you ever heard of “salty dog”? That is not limited to an experienced sailor. Too much salt levels in smoked bones can make your pet friend less hungry than a July marathon runner. The dog’s friend is hydration; avoid overindulging in it; hence, before a hike, find out the salt content as you would find in a weather report.