Giving your dog real bones is beneficial. It help stimulates their saliva enzymes. It also helps remove trapped food particles from their teeth when given after meals. Chewing on bones can also prevent them from developing plaque and gum disease, especially in the upper back molars.
Depending on what kind of bone, it gives the dogs additional nutrients and minerals. It somehow helps satiate their desire for food. Bones provide a certain nutrient to keep their skeletal fed adapting and regenerating. Chewing on bones can help them pacify their habits like scratching, licking and other nervous behaviors.
Not all bones are appropriate for dogs. Feeding bones isn't good for all of them. There are certain breeds that just can't process bones and they don't get the same benefits either than that of other breeds. This has a lot to do with the dog's jawbone structure. Breeds like Shitzu, Boxers, Bulldogs and Pugs are not designed to be able to chew bones safely and effectively.
For assessment purpose, try to look at their teeth closely, especially the lower molars in back of the mouth, the upper molars, the condition of the teeth, the length of the muzzle and the condition of the gums. By doing so, it makes certain that the shape of the mouth can or can't handle a bone. You can ask a veterinarian to evaluate your pet's mouth.
If you have this kind of dog, a Kong toy might be a better substitute. Little dogs with softer teeth and a delicate jaw structure should not eat real bones. Those with gut sensitivities may not be able to process one either. Those prone to vomiting or loose stools need to recover first before they can be given bones.
The best time for a dog to have a real bone is after the full meal. Why? The main reason is you don't want him starving when he starts to chew on the bone. Otherwise, your pet will be ingesting too much bone, which may lead to possible serious obstruction and constipation. Give him a bone for only 15 minutes maximum then take it away. You can wash it after getting back and store in the fridge then toss it again after 4 days. It is also a good practice to replace the bone with something else the moment you take it away.
Bones must be sized appropriately. You have to find the right kind. Large dogs such as German Shepherds, Dobermans and Labradors need large real bones, so that they will not chew and gulp them quickly. For these breeds, a beef shank bone is a good example of appropriate size. In general, bigger is better.
Feeding bones to your dogs needs proper supervision. Check them occasionally as every time they are chewing real shanks. Check their teeth and gums afterwards and watch out for gum irritation. Eventually as they adjust to this kind of feeding, their gum tissue will get stronger with stimulation and chewing.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Cooked-Or-Raw-Bone-To-Your-Dog:-Safe-Or-Not?&id=9253858
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