Have you given your dog bones, like rib bones, for years and they're fine?

“People food” is NOT bad for dogs. In fact, “people food” is great for dogs, but just like “people food” for humans, it has to be the right amounts of the right stuff.

Bones, in particular, are very good for dogs, but they have to be raw in order for the risk of blockages to be minimised. Cooked bones become brittle and splint under your dog’s teeth, while raw bones get crushed. Raw bones are a great source of calcium and they work wonders in keeping your dog’s teeth clean. I have given my dog a raw, size-appropriate bone to chew on once a week and the vet consistently compliments her teeth even though she is 12 years old and I have never once brushed her teeth. Oh, and she has never once had an issue with blockages.

Read about how to choose the right bones for your dog here.

Most raw bones are fine for dogs to eat. I like to give my dogs raw soup bones. My dogs also eat plenty of healthy people food and table scraps. There are mixed opinions on whether or not bones are good for your dog, but dogs have been gnawing on bones since before they were dogs. You should never feed your pet a cooked bone, but some people claim that even raw bones can potentially break teeth or cause stomach upset. Raw bones help to clean your pets teeth, they are a good source of minerals, and most dogs enjoy a good bone. If your pet is overweight it is probably not good to feed them bones with a lot of marrow, as marrow can cause weight gain. I prefer not to raise my pets in a perfect bubble. Maybe it isn’t the new way of thinking, but they are animals.. and I think they prefer to live as such. I do my best to keep them safe and happy, and they are loved.. but I like to give them a little freedom to just be what they are.

Oh, dear. GA’s ! But where do you get raw bones? The meat dept?

I get mine from a butcher, I’m sure you can get them from the meat department at your local grocer. You could always ask them.

Joint bones are great and just ask at the meat counter, most of the time they will give them to you. The main concern is choking or blockage hazards and that can also come from “approved” treats and toys. As @xxii said, the choking hazard increases when you cook the bones to the point of splintering, but nuke a bone for a minute or two to kill bacteria (I nuke pig’s ears too before handing them over)
Just never leave your dog alone with a “chewy” of any kind. (shout out to you terrier owners)

I give my dog raw beef bones (ribs, usually, and tails). Her digestive system won’t handle pork and, being a big dog, lamb bones are too small. She doesn’t get them all the time, just a treat now and then but I’ve been giving them to her for years and she’s been absolutely fine

I miss having an butcher shop….. a proper butcher shop… and a dog… I miss having a dog to go the butcher shop and get a huge raw femur cow bone for him to gnaw on…