Besides being rich in minerals and other nutrients, bones stimulate appetite. In addition, bones encourage chewing. Chewing helps with dental health by reducing the risk of plaque and tartar buildup.
Chewing also lowers the chances of paw licking or scratching. But can Frenchies eat bones? Continue reading for more.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Bones?
Yes. Frenchies can eat bones. However, cooked bones are a no-go zone. Cooking brittle bones increases the risk of breakage, which causes choking and life-threatening blockages.
Why Do Dogs Like to Chew Bones?
Dogs and bones are inseparable. Here are the main reasons why dogs like to chew bones:
Bones are tasty and nutritious
Fat holds bones together. The bone marrow is also rich in fat. This makes bones a delicious treat for your Frenchie. Dogs used to chew bones while hunting or guarding their owners. Chewing bones is, therefore, an instinct.
Fun
Dogs enjoy chewing bones. It is a way of distracting themselves from any discomfort. Puppies chew bones to soothe their gums during teething.
Dental wellness
Besides removing unhealthy food particles, chewing prevents plaque and tartar build-up to keep your Frenchie teeth healthy.
Potential Concerns
Bones are harmful to dogs. Here are the potential concerns about bones:
- Teeth problems: Although bones are important for dental wellness, they can cause fractures. This is because bones are hard to chew. Such fractures may necessitate root extractions or tooth canals.
- Injuries: Oral injuries are common with bone chewing. The sharp bone edges can cut your dog’s mucous membranes, gums, or tongue, thus causing injuries and pain. In addition, bones can get stuck between the teeth, causing more pain.
- Gastrointestinal problems: A piece of bone can get stuck in your dog’s esophagus, small intestine, or stomach. This may require emergency surgery. The bones can also cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting. Bone fragments can be life-threatening, especially if they pass through the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus lining.
- Obstruction: Bones may block your dog’s airways, thus causing choking. Choking can be fatal and requires emergency care.
7 Reasons French Bulldogs Should Not Eat Bones
Here are the reasons why your Frenchie should not eat bones:
Contamination with pathogens
Raw bones have bacteria and parasites that are harmful to French Bulldogs. Chewing raw bones exposes your dog to E. coli, listeria, and salmonella risk, which cause life-threatening infections.
Blockages in the colon or small intestine
Bone fragments can get stuck in your Frenchie’s intestines, causing intestinal blockages. This requires emergency treatment, as it can be fatal.
Intestinal lining and stomach injuries
Bones can get lodged in the stomach, causing irritation and chronic vomiting. This is a dangerous problem that requires endoscopy or surgery.
Choking
Bone fragments may become stuck in the esophagus. Sharp bone fragments can pierce the esophagus or the soft tissues at the back of the throat. A bone fragment could also enter your dog’s airway, obstructing its breathing capacity. This requires immediate medical attention.
Bones can get stuck around the jaw.
Round bones tend to become wedged behind the lower canines of the jaw. The majority of dogs require sedation or anesthesia to remove the bones.
Mouth and tongue injuries
Bones have sharp shards that can break and injure your Frenchie’s tongue and mouth.
Broken teeth
Bones are hard, and chewing may break your dog’s teeth. This calls for tooth extraction or a root canal.
Which Bone Recipes and Parts Can Be Eaten Safely by Frenchies?
Chicken Bones
Chewing is healthy for Frenchies, and chicken bones encourage chewing. Raw chicken bones, though safe, harbor pathogens that can harm your dog. On the other hand, cooked or steamed chicken bones are small and brittle and can easily splinter and cause choking and blockage. Small dogs are at a higher risk of choking.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken Bones? Yes, Frenchies can eat raw chicken bones frozen for a while. Freezing destroys a large percentage of pathogens. Cooked or steamed chicken bones are not safe.
Beef Bones
Dogs and beef bones are inseparable. But not every beef bone is good for your dog. Cooking makes beef bones brittle and dehydrated. Brittle bones are a choking hazard. Cooking also reduces the nutritional value of bones. Raw bones strengthen the teeth while removing tartar and plaque.
So, can Frenchies eat beef bones? Yes. Raw beef bones are safe for Frenchies. Ensure your dog eats a bone that is equivalent to its size. Big bones can choke your Frenchie. Do not give your dog cooked or steamed beef bones.
Pork Bones
Pork meat is soft and tender. Its bones are also soft. This raises the risk of splintering. Splintering causes choking and life-threatening blockages.
So, can Frenchies eat pork bones? No. Cooked, raw, or steamed pork bones are unsafe for French Bulldogs. They are easy to break, therefore causing choking.
Turkey Bones
Giving your dog raw turkey bones is an excellent way to boost its calcium intake, and chewing on bones can help remove tartar and act as a natural toothbrush. Cooking or steaming turkey bones weakens them, making them a choking or injury hazard.
So, can Frenchies eat turkey bones? Yes. Raw turkey bones are safe for French Bulldogs. But caution is key, as raw bones have pathogens. Do not give cooked bones to your Frenchie, as they can easily splinter and cause problems.
Lamb Bones
Cooked lamb bones easily break and injure your dog’s mouth, gums, or stomach lining. This is painful. On the other hand, raw lamb bones are hard, and dogs can chew them without getting hurt.
So, can Frenchies eat lamb bones? Yes. Raw lamb bones are safe for French Bulldogs. Do not give cooked or steamed lamb bones, as they can injure your dog.
Steak Bones
Raw steak bones have calcium, phosphorus, and protein, which support your Frenchie’s wellness. Cooked or steamed steak bones are unsafe, as they can easily break and cause injuries, choking, or blockages.
So, can Frenchies eat steak bones? Yes. French Bulldogs can safely eat raw steak bones. Rwa steak bones have healthy nutrients. Avoid cooked or steamed steak bones.
Knucklebone
Calcium is a healthy nutrient that supports bone, muscle, and tooth wellness. Knuckle bones are rich in this mineral. Although most bones pose a risk of choking, knuckle bones are dense, so the chances of it splintering are less. Cooking, however, makes knuckle bones brittle.
So, can Frenchies eat knuckle bones? Yes. Frenchies can chew raw knuckle bones. Avoid cooked knuckle bones, as they can easily break. Supervising your dog is key.
Marrowbone
Fats and calories promote coat and skin well-being. They also keep your dog energetic throughout the day. Bone marrow is rich in these nutrients, making it an excellent choice for dogs. However, the type of bone marrow matters. Cooked bone marrow is not safe.
So, can French Bulldogs eat bone marrow? Yes, French Bulldogs can safely eat raw bone marrow. Ensure it is from a reputable source. Do not give cooked bone marrow to your dog.
Rawhide
These treats come from the inner part of a horse’s or cow’s hide. The hides are cleaned and cut to make treats for dogs. Each treat has a different flavor, including beef and chicken.
Is rawhide digestible?
The digestibility of rawhide varies depending on the dog and the chew. Generally, rawhide is difficult to digest, so swallowing large pieces that have been split off poses substantial blockage concerns.
The risks and dangers of rawhide for Frenchies
Here are the major risks of rawhide for Frenchies:
- Contamination: Bacteria and trace amounts of chemicals in rawhide pose a risk of contamination and infection. Salmonella infection is common with raw hides.
- Digestive issues: Frenchies can become sensitive to the ingredients in raw hides, leading to stomach problems, including diarrhea.
- Choking and blockages: This is a major risk as it can be fatal. Rawhides can get stuck in the esophagus. This calls for endoscopy or surgery.
My French Bulldog swallowed rawhide.
Your Frenchie can accidentally swallow rawhide. You should not panic but look for ways to help your dog. Rawhide cannot be digested or dissolved in the stomach, which may cause gastrointestinal issues.
Rawhide poses a risk of intestinal obstruction since it compels your Frenchie to pass the bits it swallows. This leaves it up to chance whether the dog experiences a small stomach pain or a serious intestinal obstruction.
Chinky rawhides prevent digestion and destroy your Frenchie’s gut wall causing health issues, including severe sepsis. You should watch out for symptoms. An emergency visit to the vet is crucial.
Symptoms to watch out for
Below are the signs to look out for:
- Lethargy
- Persistent vomiting
- Collapse
If not detected early, choking and obstruction can cause death.
Raw Bones vs. Cooked Bones for Dogs
Raw bones are generally safe for French Bulldogs. They are dense and hence less likely to splinter. On the other hand, cooked bones are fragile and can easily break, causing choking or blockages.
Raw bones are also nutritious. Cooking reduces the nutritional value of bones. Chewing raw bones removes tartar and plaque build-up while chewing cooked bones raise the chances of the bone breaking into pieces and getting stuck on your dog’s gums or injuring them.
Which Bones Are Dangerous for Dogs?
Any cooked bone is dangerous since it can splinter and break into tiny, sharp fragments that can hurt your Frenchie’s mouth and internal organs. Bone fragments can lead to various health issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, tooth fractures, choking, and blockages.
Best Bones for French Bulldogs:
Bones are healthy and fun for your dog. Here are the best bones for Frenchies:
Milk-Bone Gnaw Bones
Made with real chicken, these delicious chews are available in 8-30 mini chews. The chews are devoid of rawhide and hence highly digestible.
Features
- They are free from raw hides and hence highly digestible.
- They have a chicken flavor to tempt picky Frenchies.
- They have a firm texture and knotted design to remove plaque and tartar.
Pros
- Easy to digest
- Tasty
- nutritious.
Cons
- They have corn, which may not go well with some Frenchies.
SmartBones Mini Chicken Chew Bones
These high-quality bones are formulated with vegetables and real chicken for tasty and nutritious treats. They have no rawhide for easy digestion.
Features
- They have no rawhide for easy digestion.
- They are crafted with natural ingredients to lower the risk of allergies and sensitivities.
- They have a chicken flavor to enhance appetites.
Pros
- Highly digestible.
- They have a chicken flavor.
- They use natural ingredients.
Cons
- May cause choking if not supervised.
Bones & Chews Foreshank Bone
These nutritious chews are made with beef and have no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. They have a meaty flavor that your French Bulldog won’t resist.
Features
- They are free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making them safe for your Frenchie.
- They have a meaty flavor to tempt picky Frenchies.
Pros
- They have some meat.
- The chews won’t stain your carpet.
- Uses 100% natural bone.
Cons
- Can be too large for small dogs.
Factors to Consider When Buying Bones for French Bulldogs
Finding the right bones is a tedious process. This is because bones are sensitive, and going for the wrong bones exposes your French Bulldog to various health problems. Here are the main factors to consider before buying bones for your Frenchie:
Size
Go for bones that are not too large or too small for your dog. Large bones are hard to bite and chew, while small bones increase the risk of choking. To be safe, look for bones that do not exceed your dog’s muzzle.
Flavor
French Bulldogs can be picky, and a flavorless bone turns them off. Select chicken or beef-flavored bones. You are the best judge since you know the right flavor for your dog.
Chew strength
Frenchies have varying chewing strengths. Aggressive chewers require a hard bone. But the bone should not be too hard to chew, as it can cause tooth fractures.
Best Ways To Serve Bones For Your Frenchie
Raw bones are the best for your Frenchie. You can also make bone broth, which keeps dogs hydrated and healthy. Here’s a recipe to try at home:
Turkey bone broth
Ingredients
- 4 cups of turkey bone leftovers
- 8 cups of water
- ½ cup of minced celery
- 1 tablespoon of fresh celery
- 2 cups of gelatin
- 2 tablespoons of cheese
- ½ tablespoon of ginger powder
- ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder.
Procedure
- In a large pot, mix all ingredients except cheese and gelatin
- Boil for 1- 1 ½ hours
- Strain to remove bones and vegetables
- Cool and serve, or refrigerate overnight.
What can I give my French Bulldog instead of rawhide?
You can substitute rawhide with raw bone. Your Frenchie will benefit from chewing the bone as it removes tartar and plaque buildup. Rawhide is difficult to digest.
At what age can Frenchie puppies have rawhide?
Frenchie puppies can have rawhide at 6 months. This is the stage when they have adult teeth. Rawhide is, however, not good, as it is difficult to digest.
What bones can French Bulldogs eat?
Beef, knuckles, lamb, bone marrow, and other raw and dense bones are safe for French Bulldogs. These bones clean your dog’s teeth while keeping it entertained.
Can French Bulldogs eat meat bones?
Yes. French Bulldogs can safely eat raw meat bones. Cooked meat bones are brittle and can easily splinter, thus causing choking and blockages.
What kind of bones are good for bulldogs?
All types of raw bones are good for Frenchies. You should, however, be careful with raw chicken bones, as they are soft and can easily break.
Can bulldogs eat raw bones?
Yes. Bulldogs can eat raw bones. Raw bones are nutritious and healthy for your dog. They also remove tartar and plaque, thus boosting dental wellness.
What is the best meat for bulldogs?
Chicken, turkey, beef, venison, and salmon are some of the best meats for French Bulldogs. You can find them in commercial dog foods or prepare them at home.
What chew bones are safe for dogs?
Chew bones that use natural ingredients, are free from artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors are safe for dogs. They should also be devoid of rawhide.
What bones should dogs avoid?
Dogs should avoid cooked bones. Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. They can cause choking and life-threatening blockages.
Key Takeaway
Frenchies and bones are inseparable.
But are bones safe for French Bulldogs?
Yes. Raw bones are okay for Frenchies.
Raw bones have nutrients like calcium, supporting bone, tooth, and muscle wellness. In addition, bones support dental wellness by removing plaque and tartar buildup. Chewing is also fun for your Frenchie.
Avoid cooked bones as they are brittle and can easily splinter, thus causing tooth fractures, mouth injuries, choking, and blockages. Choking and blockages can be fatal. Small bones, including chicken bones, are soft and require supervision.
Always consult the vet before choosing the type of bone to give your dog.