No, dogs cannot eat pork rib bones, whether cooked or raw. This is because they are comparatively smaller in size and have the potential to injure your dog as it splinters, breaks, and creates obstacles. In addition, dogs naturally swallow anything at a time, which becomes dangerous for them in the long run.
Are Pork Rib Bones Safe for Dogs?
No, pork rib bones are not safe for dogs to consume. Though we have seen dogs gnaw and swallow down the entire bone many times, it is the exact reason a dog should not consume cooked or raw bones.
Pork rib bones splinter into shards and have choking hazards, leading to intestinal blockage, throat injuries, and many more.
Why Are Pork Rib Bones Bad for Dogs?
We already know, bones come in two types – raw pork rib bones and cooked pork rib bones. Let us now see why these are bad for dogs to consume.
Raw Pork Rib Bones: Raw bones are contaminated with harmful bacteria, which, if consumed by your dog, can lead to bacterial infections. Raw pork rib bones can transmit ringworms in dogs leading to a condition called trichinosis.
Raw pork rib bones pose less danger if chewed by the dog, but that too can be fatal if your dog is consuming the bones without your supervision. The pieces of bones can injure the throat, cut the inner lip area, injure the tongue. It can also create obstruction in the food pipe and the intestine leading to surgery.
The consequences of consuming raw pork rib bones are:
Trichinosis
Blockages in the intestine and food pipe
Throat injuries
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal issues
Digestive issues
Pancreatitis
Cooked Pork Rib Bones: Cooked pork rib bones pose a greater risk than raw ones. The bone weakens and splinters, causing perforation of the intestinal tract, which is at times very difficult to treat. The fragments can also block the esophagus leading to severe health issues.
The consequences of consuming cooked pork rib bones are:
Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Blockage of esophagus
Perforation of the intestinal tract
Excessive thirst
Continuous coughing
Sepsis
Peritonitis
Death
How Much Pork Rib Bones to Feed Your Dog?
By now, we have already seen how risky it is to feed pork rib bones to your dog! Hence, it is best not to provide pork rib bones to your dog. Any number of bones can be dangerous to your dog, leading to death.
What If My Dog Ate Pork Rib Bones?
If your dog ate pork rib bones accidentally, you would have to check for primary injuries in your dog’s mouth. If not then, remove bone remaining gently, and look for bone shards. After this is done, you will have to look for the signs and symptoms of your dog. The symptoms your dog will show are:
Gagging
Whining
Vomiting
Excessive drooling
Abnormal bowel movements
Bloody stool
Loss of appetite
Pancreatitis
Gastrointestinal blockage
Refusing to eat
Lethargy
Refusing to go to the washroom
Inability to sit
Lip licking
Dental issues
Panting
Consult the veterinarian immediately after you notice such symptoms. Remember, even if your dog doesn’t display any of the symptoms, make sure to consult with your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian might also use medications that will soften the bone inside and let it dissolve. However, it depends upon whether the bone is cooked or raw and on the size of bone fragments.
The veterinarian will examine the seriousness of the dog by the following factors:
Size of the bone fragments
Type of the bone
Size and health of the dog
The condition of the dog’s teeth
Ensure your dog is getting better each day, and keep in touch with the veterinarian.
You can also try feeding your dog with bread or bulky dry food, as it will surround the pork rib bone and help it push through the intestine. Food also helps activate the digestive enzymes, which might soften the bone and let it out of the body.
How Long Will It Take to Pass the Bone Out of The Body?
It depends upon the size of the bone fragment, raw or cooked bones. Hence, it can only be examined by the veterinarian.
You can ensure whether the bone is out or still inside the body by monitoring the stool regularly. If there is blood or mucus, it is a sign that the bone is yet to be out of the dog’s body.
Alternatives to Pork Rib Bones
To satisfy your dog’s chewing behavior, you can get Kong toys or other exciting chew toys. In addition, you can fill in tasty dog treats that will be a favorite within days.
To avoid such accidents, you must train your dog with basic obedience like “Leave it,” “Drop It,” “No.” It is essential to teach them without depending upon any punishments. Punishments might bring behavioral issues which are harmful to dogs. Instead, keep a handful of treats to make the training procedure enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat baby back rib bones?
No, dogs cannot eat baby back rib bones, as these are table scraps and must be off-limits.
Can dogs eat short rib bones?
Dogs can eat short rib bones if it is raw, washed and cleaned properly. You must supervise your dog while he chews on the bone.
Can dogs eat cooked rib bones?
No, dogs cannot eat cooked rib bones, as they splinter into shards and injure the dog profusely.
Can dogs eat BBQ rib bones?
No, dogs cannot eat BBQ rib bones as they have salt, seasonings, and are fried.
If the bones are large and raw, only then can your dog chew on them. Cooked bones can be life-threatening.
Can dogs eat cooked fish bones?
No, dogs cannot eat cooked fish bones.
Can dogs eat raw fish bones?
No, dogs cannot eat raw fish bones, as they are small and can get stuck in the throat as they are brittle.
Can dogs eat raw marrow bones?
Dogs can enjoy the marrow inside the bone. Hence the entire raw marrow bones are only meant for chewing.
Can dogs eat elk bones?
Dogs can eat elk bones as they are three times denser than beef bones. They are also packed with omega fatty acids.
Can dogs eat antler bones?
Yes, dogs can eat antler bones, as they do not splinter easily like other bones.
Can dogs eat raw deer bones?
Dogs can eat raw deer under proper supervision.
Can dogs eat venison bones?
Uncooked venison bones can be given to your dog under proper supervision.
Can dogs eat veal bones?
No, dogs cannot eat veal bones, as claimed by various veterinarians.
Can dogs eat duck bones?
No, raw or cooked duck bones are harmful to your dog as they splinter and injure the throat.
Can dogs eat drumstick bones?
Raw drumstick bones are okay for dogs to chew on. However, cooked drumstick bones are not recommended for them.
Conclusion
Winding up “can dogs eat pork rib bones” we can very well comprehend that it is dangerous for dogs to eat, as it might lead to fatalities. Consuming pork rib bones (raw or cooked) can be painful. They might get lodged in the esophagus, injure the throat, and perforate the intestine leading to death. Your dog might also suffer from trichinosis. Hence it is best not to offer your dog pork rib bones. As a responsible pet owner, consistently choose healthy food for your dog.
