Why Thanksgiving Turkey is a Bad Idea for Dogs.
For humans, Thanksgiving is a day of delicious meals such as creamy potatoes, smooth gravy, and stuffed turkey! We understand how tempting it might be to treat your furry friend to such delicacies. You might want to give them a piece of turkey or some mashed potatoes when you catch a peek of their endearing, beseeching gaze. However, you must be careful; there are some human foods that are harmful to dogs.
Despite your best intentions, there's one Thanksgiving mistake that could end up costing your puppy his life. Never give your dog turkey bones to chew on!
Even though cartoons tend to depict dogs gorging on bones, in reality, actual bones pose a serious risk to a dog's health. According to the American Kennel Club, once cooked, turkey and chicken bones are little and brittle and can potentially splinter inside your pet's digestive system.
Difference Between Cooked Bone and Raw Bone.
Raw dog bones are an excellent choice if you want to include a healthy substance in your pet's meals. Unlike cooked bones, raw bones are softer and contain considerably higher nutritional value. Bone cartilage is abundant in raw bones. Amino acids, which serve as the foundation for muscles and connective tissues, are abundant in these bones cartilages.
Additionally, raw bones have fatty acids in their bone marrow, which are essential into a dog's diet on a daily basis. Overall, raw bones are relatively healthier.
Cooked bones are unsafe for dogs and should never be given to them. One of the common concerns with cooking bones is that it deprives the bone of its moisture in addition to its lack of nutritional content. The bones start to dry out, becoming brittle, and then start to splinter. As a result, the bones split up into dangerous pointy shards for your pets.
These sharp bone shards can injure your dog's throat, windpipe, and stomach. By implication, it is possible for your dog to get peritonitis, a condition in which the stomach is torn or punctured by bone particles. Since peritonitis can be fatal, a trip to the veterinarian may be necessary immediately.
Since raw bones are a more safer alternative, it's recommended to completely avoid cooked bones.
On the other hand, raw bones for dogs also contain digestive enzymes that support their natural digestion. Plus, raw bones are great for keeping your dog's teeth and gums healthy. Generally speaking, you'll discover that your dog likes to chew on raw bones!
Why Turkey Bones might be Dangerous for Dogs to Eat.
Giving your dog turkey bones could possibly harm both its internal organs and exterior. The dangers are as follows:
1. Internal blockage of the digestive tract: If your dog ingests big chunks of animal bone, the
shattered fragments may cause constipation and internal blockages.
2. Choking: Bone fragments that have been chewed up pose a serious choking risk to dogs
because they may clog their windpipe and make it difficult for them to breathe.
3. Cuts in the throat and mouth: Splintered turkey bones, particularly cooked bones, are prone to break off in sharp pieces that could cut your dog's throat and mouth.
4. Internal injury Giving your dog turkey bones poses a major risk of sharp bone pieces piercing their internal organs and intestines as they move through their digestive tract. In most cases, the dog would require urgent surgery. Organ ruptures would require critical surgery that would undoubtedly put a damper on your celebration.
Your dog might still locate a turkey bone even if you decide against giving it to them. Dogs are adept at seeking out these enticing delicacies. If you do see your dog chewing on a turkey bone, don't panic. Dogs can be very possessive with their food, so if you yell in fear and try to yank it out, she would attempt even harder to devour it right away.
Here's what you should do instead. Take the bones out of her mouth gently and slowly. Check to see if she's choking. Call your veterinarian for advice. Look out for indications of internal blockages or internal bleeding, such as:
Drowsiness
Constipation
Bulging stomach
Nausea
Stooling with blood
Take your dog to the vet right away if you see any of these signs. It is not reasonable to "wait and see what happen" at this time.
Tips for Preventing Your Dog from Chewing Turkey Bones.
Even if your dog is a low-maintenance one who doesn't frequently try to steal food from your plate, it's still a smart idea to exercise caution and keep the turkey bones out of reach of any dogs in the home. Take the following precautions to prevent your dog from chewing any turkey bones:
Turkey plates should be out of reach. If you place it on a countertop or table, check to be sure your dog can't leap up and steal a piece or knock the plate to the ground.
The bones shouldn't be disposed of in a garbage container where your dog may access. You should already be aware that your dog is perfectly capable of dumpster diving. If you want to toss away bones, tie the bag up and put it in a trash can or recycling container outside, or in a different room.
Stock up on goodies that the dogs can eat. Despite all the other delicious things on the table, this might help your dog feel satisfied. It's safer to be proactive than sorry and it's worth the journey out to the frigid garage trash can than to the vet's. The entire family may give thanks for a holiday without visiting the veterinarian.
How to React if Your Dog Consumed Turkey Bones.
It's important to keep both raw and cooked turkey bones out of the reach of dogs since even the best dogs sometimes get their hands on food that shouldn't be eaten. If your dog has consumed turkey bones, follow these steps and consult your veterinarian (or any other poultry bones).
1. Make a call to the vet. Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog consumes any leftover turkey bones so they can guide you on the best course of action based on any symptoms your dog may be exhibiting.
2. Keep an eye out for serious side effects. Constipation, bloody stool (or rectal bleeding),
vomiting, and oral injuries are typical adverse symptoms of turkey bone issues.
3. Visit an emergency vet with your dog. Take your dog to an emergency veterinarian if you
notice any side effects. The vet will ask questions and possibly order x-rays to determine the best course of action. Your dog might require surgery if bones are trapped in their stomach or have perforated their intestinal tract. The vet might want to keep an eye on your dog all night to look for these critical signs. Nevertheless, it's likely that the bones will pass through your dog's system without any problems.
Do you have any inquiries you'd like to make concerning this issue or any dog related issues? Morgans Pawsitive Pup Training is available 24/7 to attend to all your questions and training needs. We look forward to working with you and your four-legged best friend!