Can dogs eat Ham bones?

can dogs eat ham bonesCaution

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Yes, but with caution. Although ham bones have some nutrients, they are a health hazard for dogs. Ham bones can splinter and break, causing a dog to choke or gum and throat injuries. Even if the bone doesn't break, the sharp edges can wear down a dog's teeth.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Ham bones contain protein and amino acids.
  • Ham bones are also a source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals.
  • Ham bones are a good source of zinc and iron. Zinc is important for a healthy immune system, and iron is important for a dog's blood health.

Risks

health-risks
  • Bones from cured ham are high in sodium and sugar, which are harmful to dogs when consumed in large quantities.
  • Cooked ham bones can splinter into shards when gnawed on by dogs. The broken pieces can injure a dog's mouth, throat, and esophagus.
  • Ham bones can also cause intestinal blockage in dogs, which requires surgery. In some cases, the sharp pieces of bone can puncture internal organs and cause internal bleeding.
  • Ham bones are a choking hazard. When the bones get too small, they can be swallowed whole and cause choking in dogs.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Always supervise your dog when he's chewing on bones. Remove any sharp pieces that could pose a threat. Once the ham bone has been sufficiently chewed on, take it away from your dog to avoid choking.

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