My dog ate a bone!!

Hi there,

It’s true, bones are unfortunately a recurring issue for dogs.

One reassuring thing is that this is a pork bone rather than a chicken bone, so it should be thick and less likely to splinter into shards that could puncture the stomach or intestinal wall.

On the other hand, the size of the bone might make it impossible for him to pass it, which could lead to a blockage in the gut. This is where courgette comes in: many dogs find it very tasty, and it's high in fibre, which helps with passing any swallowed foreign objects.

I’d say if your dog hasn't had a normal poo after 36-48 hours, it will become an emergency, and surgery to remove the bone will likely be necessary. This would obviously need to be checked with an X-ray first, which I imagine your vet will do this evening; it’s a sensible way to see how the bone is moving through his digestive system.

Wishing him a speedy recovery,

Best,

Joachim

Elgniy,

Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs because they are brittle and can splinter, as Sofie mentioned. Also, if he’s struggling to go and his poo is very hard and white, almost like chalk, take the bone away from him straight away, otherwise you risk a bowel blockage. You should always give a dog a bone that’s appropriate for their size, and especially the size of their mouth—and it must be RAW, not cooked!...

Give your vet a call to see what they think. Cooked bones are very dangerous, including the edges, as cooking makes the bone brittle and it can perforate the stomach. Whatever you do, never give your dog cooked bones of any kind.

Just out of curiosity, why did you give them courgette? Was it pureed or not even mashed up?