FDA Warns 'Bone Treats' For Dogs Could Kill Your Pet

March 20th, 2019 at 10:25 am EDT
Hello Friend,

There are risks to doing many things in life..for the most part I suggest being informed, making smarter choices, and taking matters into your own hands.

Such as your pet's health.

Here are your options..1.

You can 'safely' feed the veterinary kibble..which can then lead to an overweight diabetic dog or cat...

Keep on giving the regular vaccines..until an autoimmune disease takes hold..ie allergies

Continue to give a monthly flea and tick preventive..then perhaps see a pet with cancer at a young age/

OR  option 2.

You can become informed and make smarter choices for your dogs and cats

Seems like the better one to me

Here is a great resource to start with:



FDA Warns 'Bone Treats' For Dogs Could Kill Your Pet

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a grim warning for dog lovers thinking of getting a special treat for their pups.

This week, an FDA statement on the dangers of “bone treats” — meaning bones for dogs that have been commercially processed by means like smoking or baking — has gone viral.

However, while most media outlets have been reporting on the anti-bone treat decree like it’s brand new, the FDA has had the warning up since at least 2010, based on archives from the Wayback Machine. The statement has been periodically updated over the years to factor in the number of reports of canine illnesses and deaths the FDA has received.

On Nov. 21, the statement was updated to reflect that the agency has received about 68 reports of dogs dying or falling ill in connection with bone treats. Some reports involved more than one dog, for a total of 90 dogs reported being adversely affected by the bones. An estimated 15 of those dogs have died.

Though the statement focuses on bone treats, it also mentions that turkey and chicken bones are dangerous for pets because of their tendency to splinter.

“We regularly update the numbers around this time of year because some pet owners cook poultry and toss the bones in the trash at holiday dinners, where their dogs can sometimes access them,” the spokeswoman said in an email. “Some pet owners also choose to give their dogs bone treats as stocking stuffers during the holiday season, so we update the article as a holiday reminder for pet owners.”

The FDA warning does not specify any particular brand of bone treats, though it does note that the list of potentially dangerous treats includes those described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones” or “Smokey Knuckle Bones.”

Illnesses reported included serious symptoms like diarrhea, choking, digestive obstruction and “bleeding from the rectum.”

“Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet,” FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper said in the statement.

The types of bones that dogs can chew on safely is somewhat controversial. Experts typically agree that poultry bones, as well as any cooked bones, are unsafe for dogs. Though the American Kennel Club advises that it’s safe for a dog to chew on raw cow or bison bones too big to swallow, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals maintains that the risk of even raw bones splintering and harming the digestive tract is too great.

As for the FDA, it comes down on the side of exercising caution.

“In general, the FDA advises pet owners not to give their dogs bones from animals/meats and recommends that pet owners talk with their veterinarian about alternatives to giving bones to their dogs,” the spokeswoman said. “Pet owners should always supervise their dogs with any chew product.”




Veterinary Secrets Pet of the Week!
Hello Dr. Jones,

This is my dog Koda, that I adopted when he was 14 months old. We have been through a lot together, dealing with separation anxiety, dominant behavior and 2 acl injuries which required surgery. Although times were very rough, ripping up clothes ,drapes and ruining a door, I am glad I didn't listen to others advise 'give him back' or he's too much, thoughts I said to myself too. He is now such a wonderful dog. We still have 'things to work on but, it is now pleasurable work! I will always adopt. Thanks for letting me share a bit of my story.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Runewicz

If you would like your pet to be the Pet of the Week, please send a picture to
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P.S.  I feed my own dog beef knuckle bones..but they are NOT cooked, coming frozen from my freezer. These are LEAST likely to splinter, and provide the great health benefit of cleaning her teeth.

P.P.S. If you are wanting to get the most current alternative veterinary health info for your dog and cat, you should check out my free DVD and Inner Circle here:

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Dr Andrew Jones resigned from the College of Veterinarians of B.C. effective December 1 2010, meaning he cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make specific medical recommendations for your pet.

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