The Ultimate Guide to Bones for Huskies: What’s Safe and What’s Not?
We all want our Huskies to enjoy chewing on bones but can Huskies eat bones? Read our guide to find out which bones they can safely enjoy and which ones to never give them.
As we all know, dogs are instinctively drawn toward bones mentally and physically. This is an act that we can’t condemn as chewing gives their jaw muscles and brains exercise. The fats in the bone (bone marrow) help to keep them healthy.
Table of Contents
Can Huskies have raw bones?
You might be wondering if Siberian Huskies can eat raw bones. As said, I don’t condemn feeding bones to dogs. They can eat raw bones because raw bones are an excellent source of phosphorus, calcium, and other vital minerals.
Vets have also proved that raw bones have benefits to the digestive system, including cartilage building blocks, strengthening the stomach muscles, preventing bloat, allowing for healthy bowel movements, and also preventing anal gland problems.
To add, chewing on a good set of raw bones allows for good dental cleaning. This is because chewing stimulates the production of saliva enzymes which helps prevent plaque buildup.
Remember, chewing is natural and a very vital behavior for dogs.
Despite being positive for Huskies, they still have some drawbacks.
- Food poisoning: Vets have found out that bones (even those marked “safe for dogs”) could contain salmonella or E. coli. They could subject your Husky to bacterial infections and foodborne illnesses.
- Esophageal blockage: Since raw bones are hard (not soft as they’ve not been cooked) they can lead to choking if large pieces are swallowed.
- Tooth injuries: Raw bones place a lot of stress on your Husky’s teeth. They could cause tooth breakage, which can be painful and expensive to fix.
Can Huskies eat cooked bones?
No, Huskies should not eat cooked bones because they can splinter between their teeth. Also, when swallowed, they can cause injuries to the inside of the puppy’s stomach or intestines.
Since the bone is cooked, and softer than raw bones, they will not satisfy your Siberian Husky’s urge to chew. They don’t have that fatty marrow as the cooking process reduces the fat content.
Can Huskies eat Antlers, Rawhide, or Bully Sticks?
Well-meaning owners do tend to replace bones with rawhide, antlers, rawhide, or bully sticks. However, vets still say that these products can still be a problem for Huskies.
- Antlers: While they may be cleaner than raw bones, this product can be harder on your puppy’s teeth causing teeth breakage and if the antler has a sharp end, it could tear your dog’s mouth tissues.
- Rawhide: These can be a great alternative for some dogs, but there are risks. Rawhides often soften after a dog starts chewing, the broken parts can be swallowed by your Husky. They may cause some health problems because most rawhide is prepared with chemicals and often washed using detergents.
- Bully sticks: As much as they are smooth and can pass through a puppy’s digestive system easily, Bully Sticks are made of beef byproducts that contain organs and bone.
Best chew bones for Huskies
Well, some sellers give beef soup bones away at no cost, the consequences for Huskies can be costly. Here are a few bone alternatives you can give your puppy or full-grown Husky with some supervision:
1. Chew toys
These are inexpensive and hardy balls, pull ropes, and plush products that can help you keep your Siberian Huskies entertained. They are also helpful with giving your dog the necessary jaw exercise.
2. Rubber dental chews
Rubber dental chews are softer and more flexible than bones. They are often covered in ridges and bumps to help Huskies scrape away plaque. Furthermore, they’re long-lasting.
3. Edible dental chews
I recommend edible dental chews because they play a double duty; to satisfy your dog’s urges and clean their teeth. Most are grain-free and made from natural rawhide.
Guidelines for Choosing a Chewing Alternative for Siberian Huskies
Keep in mind these three guidelines:
- Follow the “kneecap rule”: We believe that if you hit your knee with the chewing toy or object is painful, it will be too hard and heavy for your Husky to chew.
- Perform the “fingernail test”: With your nail, check if you can indent the surface of the chew; a good chew should have some give.
- Check the chew’s flexibility: Often, chews that are not flexible or cannot be broken with your bare hands should not be served to Huskies.
The DOs and DON’Ts for Dog Bones
Here are some DOs and DONTs when it comes to dog bones:
DOs:
- Do give raw meat bones.
- Do take away the bone after 10-to-15 minutes.
- Do dispose of a bone in a safe trash can.
- Only give large bones to large breeds like Great Danes and Mastiffs
- Supervise your dog when you give him a bone.
- Be an educated consumer.
Don’ts:
- Don’t allow your dog to chew bones if he has stomach problems.
- Don’t give your puppy the wrong kind or type of bone.
- Don’t give your dog cooked bones.
- Don’t give your dog bones that can cause blockages.
- Don’t give bones to dogs or puppies who have had restorative dental work
- Don’t give bones with marrow to dogs who get pancreatitis.
- Don’t allow or tolerate your dog chewing bones into small pieces.
