Vet Advise Owners Against Giving Their Dog a Bone
Vets in Australia have advised dog owners against giving their dog a bone, as chewing and biting bones can contribute to dental damage.
Vets across Australia are participating in the Australian Veterinary Association’s Pet Dental Health Month campaign, which has been running throughout August. Vets across the country are trying to encourage pet owners to care for their pet’s teeth and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health for animals.
Dr Christine Hawke, a spokeswoman for the Australian Veterinary Association, said that chewing bones was a major cause of dental damage which can damage and tear gum tissue and chip and fracture teeth.
However, local Walcha vet, Rachel Grieg, has challenged the advice of Dr Hawke, saying that chewing some types of bone is in fact beneficial for dogs. Dr Hawke said that rather than cutting out bones altogether, it was better to choose the type of bone carefully. Cooked bones should not be given to animals but raw bones can be good for oral health.
Oral health problems are very common amongst pets, as many pet owners do not realise that they need to take steps to care for their pet’s teeth and gums. It is estimated that around 80 percent of family pets suffer from dental health problems.
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