Are marrow bones for dogs a safe recreational chew? Is it safe for dogs to chew marrow bones? That’s definitely a bone of contention in the dog world! We’ve got the pros and the cons below–based both on our personal experience and on veterinary advice–so that you can make the best decision for your dog.

Should Marrow Bones Be Cooked for Dogs?

First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog or puppy cooked bones. Whether you’ve barbecued them, roasted them or boiled them, a bone that has been heated has been cooked–and that means you do NOT want to give it to your dog as a chew. Save it make your dog a nice batch of bone broth, a much safer way for your dog to enjoy the nutrients still found in the cooked bone.

The cooking process dehydrates the bones, making them far more likely to splinter and break. Splintered bones can puncture an organ and lead to life-threatening complications.

Beyond that, though, things get a little stickier with both pros and cons to giving your dog marrow bones.

The Pros of Giving Your Dog Raw Bones

Ask most raw advocates and you’ll hear that raw bones—from large marrow bones to chicken wings and thighs—play an important role in their dog’s diet.

Digestible bones like bird bones (comprising up to 10% of the diet) provide the necessary calcium your dog requires. These are small, raw bones your dog chews and swallows.

Large marrow bones are a recreational favorite and are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.

Our dogs like nothing better than a marrow bone. We’ve seen raw bones calm Irie during times of thunderstorms and fireworks as she keeps herself busy chewing (and chewing and chewing) that bone.

Raw marrow bones not only provide your dog pleasure but also help clean his teeth.

The Cons of Giving Your Dog Raw Bones

On the flip side, raw bones can present a danger. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns, “Bones or bone fragments in some raw diets can result in intestinal obstruction or perforation, gastroenteritis and fractured teeth.”

Fractured Teeth from Chewing on Bones

We can testify to the fractured teeth: our Irie, a devoted marrow bone chewer, had to have three teeth extracted due to fractured teeth.

The next year, Tiki lost two teeth due to the same reason.

Today our dogs only get marrow bones as a very occasional special treat; for everyday chewing, our dogs have Icelandic+ horns (which are keratin–similar to a fingernail–not bone).

If you are going to give your dog large marrow bones, give the bones as a fresh treat but then, once your dog has chewed out the marrow and the bone begins to dry, discard the bone.

As it dries, the bone becomes more harder and more brittle, more likely both to break a tooth or to splinter into dangerous pieces.

For some dogs, the rich fat of the marrow can also cause intestinal upset. It is also high in calories.

If your dog is new to marrow bones, you may also see blood on his gums (and on the marrow bone) after chewing. Like a person new to dental flossing, chewing bones may cause bleeding at first.

Intestinal Obstruction

If a bone splinters while your dog is chewing it and your dog swallows the piece, there is a risk of intestinal obstruction. This can necessitate surgery.

Resource Guarding Caused by Bones

Tummy troubles have rarely been the case in our house, but we have seen another down side of bones: resource guarding.

When Irie and Tiki each get a marrow bone, we see them go to opposite sides of the yard (we only give the bones outdoors except during thunderstorm/firework periods when we give them in the house but with an old sheet over the bed and couch).

If you have multiple dogs and they already engage in resource guarding (Irie and Tiki happily share any other time), keep a close eye on them when they have this high value treat.

What do Veterinarians Think about the Safety of Marrow Bones?

The decision to feed bones, whether as part of a diet or as an occasional treat, is one that you will need to make after consulting with your veterinarian.

We turned to Dr. Audrey Harvey for her advice on marrow bones.

“Both the US Food and Drug Administration and veterinary dentists agree that eating bones is not good for dogs. They can fracture teeth, and cause intestinal obstructions and constipation,” she noted.

But Dr. Harvey realizes that it’s not as simple as instituting a “no bone” rule.

“Do you give him a bone to satisfy his urge to chew, or do you take the chance on him eating a tree branch which is also potentially dangerous?

“There are alternatives to bones that he may enjoy, such as nylon bones, or stuffed rubber Kongs. They are easier on their teeth but a determined chewer can still gnaw them into little pieces and swallow them. Pigs ears and cows ears are also an option.”

The bottom line?

“I think that if you’re aware of the potential risks, and the alternative is your front fence or the leg of your dining room furniture, then bones are okay. Avoid the large marrow bones because they do break teeth, and also small bones like neck bones which may be swallowed whole. Brisket bones are a good choice. Whatever your dog is chewing, make sure you don’t leave him unattended.“

There you have it!

As with many aspects of life with dogs, choosing whether to serve marrow bones or not to your dog is a matter of personal choice, depending on your dog, your dog’s chewing habits, and your schedule as to whether you’ll have time to watch your dog.

The numerous pros and cons definitely give pet parents a lot to chew on!

FAQ

Is bone marrow good for dogs?

Bone marrow contains many nutrients but it is fatty and can lead to digestive upset. If your dog has had digestive issues in the past (especially pancreatitis), tread carefully or talk with your veterinarian first about alternative chews.

How should I thaw frozen marrow bones for dogs?

Marrow bones are usually sold frozen at the grocery store and are best stored frozen. When you’re ready to give one to your dog, you can run it under cold water to take off the frost or let it defrost in your refrigerator overnight.

Can puppies have marrow bones?

Until they have their permanent teeth (about 7 months), puppies will do better to have softer chews like bully sticks (but always with your supervision). Young puppies don’t have the jaw strength to really get into bone chewing. If you do decide to give your puppy a raw marrow bone, be sure to supervise him while he chews.

Looking for recipes for your dog? Download one of our free dog treat cookbooks!

Pin it to remember Are Marrow Bones for Dogs Safe?

• Author: dogtipper.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Are Marrow Bones for Dogs Safe?

• Matching Result: First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog or puppy cooked bones. Whether you’ve barbecued them, roasted them or boiled them, a bone …

• Intro: Are Marrow Bones for Dogs Safe? {And What About Puppies?} Are marrow bones for dogs a safe recreational chew? Is it safe for dogs to chew marrow bones? That’s definitely a bone of contention in the dog world! We’ve got the pros and the cons below–based both on our personal experience and on veterinary advice–so that you can make the best decision for your dog. Should Marrow Bones Be Cooked for Dogs? First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog or puppy cooked bones. Whether you’ve barbecued them, roasted them or boiled them, a bone that has been…

• Source: https://www.dogtipper.com/tip/2015/03/should-you-give-your-dog-marrow-bones.html

• Author: healthyhomemadedogtreats.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: As an Amazon Associate, we may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases but at no extra cost to you. Learn more.I bet you have come across cross conflicting opinions regarding whether or not giving your dog bone treats is safe in the first place. Well, marrow bones are good for dogs to chew. Considering that …

• Matching Result: Raw marrow bones are always a better choice over cooked options. Cooking marrow bones dehydrates them, making them more likely to splinter or break easily.

• Intro: How to Prepare Marrow Bones for Dogs – Healthy Homemade Dog Treats As an Amazon Associate, we may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases but at no extra cost to you. Learn more. I bet you have come across cross conflicting opinions regarding whether or not giving your dog bone treats is safe in the first place. Well, marrow bones are good for dogs to chew. Considering that these bones are delicious, all-natural with no preservatives, they not only improve the overall health of your dog but they are also great for your dog’s dental health. In particular, the bones…

• Source: https://healthyhomemadedogtreats.com/how-to-prepare-marrow-bones-for-dogs/

• Author: pawsgeek.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Factoid: Before launching into instructions about how to prepare marrow bones for dogs, it’s important to know there is some controversy regarding marrow bones, and in some cases any bones for dogs. There is always the chance that some bones may fracture or present a choking hazard for your pooch. Similarly, bones that are hard and large (hip bones, beef leg bones) may cause damage to their teeth. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that marrow bones should be consumed in moderation under supervision. 

• Matching Result: How Do You Cook Bone Marrow Bones For Dogs? · Rinse off excess meat and fat with cold water · Put into a large pot filled with water · Boil them for 10 minutes.

• Intro: How To Prepare Marrow Bones For Dogs? Ridiculously Tasty Marrow Bone Broth Recipe – PawsGeekFactoid: Before launching into instructions about how to prepare marrow bones for dogs, it’s important to know there is some controversy regarding marrow bones, and in some cases any bones for dogs. There is always the chance that some bones may fracture or present a choking hazard for your pooch. Similarly, bones that are hard and large (hip bones, beef leg bones) may cause damage to their teeth. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that marrow bones should be consumed in moderation under supervision. In thinking about dogs,…

• Source: https://www.pawsgeek.com/how-to-prepare-marrow-bones-for-dogs/

• Author: wellpets.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Are raw marrow bones ok for dogs? At Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery, this is a question we hear a lot. Certain pet food companies have done a good job

• Matching Result: Bones are generally available two ways, raw or cooked. Cooked bones are extremely hard and should never be offered to dogs for a number of …

• Intro: Are Raw Marrow Bones Good For Dogs? Friday, 30 April 2021 Written by Lauren Richman, DVM Are raw marrow bones ok for dogs? At Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery, this is a question we hear a lot. Certain pet food companies’ advertising departments have done a good job over the last 5 to 10 years bombarding us with the notion that dogs are still basically wolves and therefore should eat ‘like wolves’, ignoring the fact that the dog has been domesticated (and dramatically modified by man) for about 15,000 years.  The romantic idea that a dog should eat as…

• Source: https://www.wellpets.com/blog/156-are-raw-marrow-bones-good-for-dogs

• Author: volharddognutrition.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Bone marrow is the gelatinous type of tissue that resides in the center of our bones. Its main components — the red and yellow marrow — contain precious stem cells that the dog’s body turns into red and white blood cells (i.e., hematopoietic stem cells), fat, cartilage, and bone tissue (i.e., mesenchymal stem cells).

• Matching Result: To sum it up, fatty foods like bone marrow should be consumed in moderation, especially for dogs with health concerns. Cooked bone marrow, in …

• Intro: Feeding Bone Marrow To Your Dog – Is It Safe? Marrow is a fat-rich material located in the central cavity of bones. It contains iron and natural antioxidants, which are beneficial to dogs (and anyone else that chooses to snack on it). However, you need to keep in mind the high-fat content. If your dog’s overweight, marrow bones require a diet adjustment to prevent packing on extra pounds. (Or you need to add some extra activity to compensate) The fatty nature of marrow presents an additional concern for dogs prone to pancreatitis. If your dog has a history of pancreatic…

• Source: https://www.volharddognutrition.com/blog/feeding-bone-marrow-to-your-dog-is-it-safe/

• Author: pawlovetreats.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Want to toss your dog a marrow bone? These chews are a great choice, but discover a few things before handing over the marrow. Visit PawLove for more!

• Matching Result: The bones should never be physically consumed as they could potentially splinter. Of course, the pieces of meat that are oftentimes attached to …

• Intro: Are Marrow Bones Safe for Dogs? Source: Alp Aksoy/shutterstock.com Our dogs and their wolf ancestors would probably agree that there’s nothing better than bones—but, for dog owners, picking a bone can quickly turn into a bone to pick. Consuming bones has been a crucial part of the carnivorous lifestyle forever. Although dogs have had evolutionary, biological, and dietary changes accompany their domestication, certain needs and instincts have not been so quick to change.  As the popularity of raw and natural pet foods grows to accommodate this, so does the selection, and so does the confusion and concern over whether these natural food…

• Source: https://www.pawlovetreats.com/blogs/paw-love-blog/are-marrow-bones-safe-for-dogs

• Author: midogguide.com

• Rating: 4⭐ (848162 rating)

• Highest Rate: 5⭐

• Lowest Rate: 1⭐

• Sumary: Should you give marrow bones for dogs as a recreational chew? … First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog cooked bones. The cooking process dehydrates the bones, making them far more likely to splinter and break. Splintered bones can puncture an organ and lead to life-threatening complications. Can dogs eat marrow bones […]

• Matching Result: Should you give marrow bones for dogs as a recreational chew? … First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog cooked bones.

• Intro: Do you need to cook marrow bones for dogs? Should you give marrow bones for dogs as a recreational chew? … First, the easy answer: you should never give your dog cooked bones. The cooking process dehydrates the bones, making them far more likely to splinter and break. Splintered bones can puncture an organ and lead to life-threatening complications. Can dogs eat marrow bones raw? Chock full of valuable nutrients such as phosphorous and calcium, bones and bone marrow are an important part of your pet’s raw food diet. Whether you are feeding your dog a raw diet, looking to…

• Source: https://midogguide.com/maintenance-and-care/do-you-need-to-cook-marrow-bones-for-dogs.html