Bichon Frise (detailed introduction)

　　 Dogs loving to chew bones is well known, and Bichons are no exception. Many owners feel sorry when their Bichons watch them eat, so they often give them some meat or even bones they can’t chew anymore. But is every kind of bone safe for Bichons? Below is a detailed introduction to the benefits and risks of Bichons eating bones.
　　 1. Benefits of giving bones to Bichons:
　　 1. Calcium supplementation: This is a common claim. Although the calcium dogs actually absorb from chewing bones is very little, it still provides some calcium. Bones’ calcium is difficult for dogs’ gastrointestinal systems to digest and directly absorb; most of it is excreted with feces.
　　 2. Teeth cleaning: This benefit is certain. When dogs chew bones, the friction on the tooth surface helps clean their teeth well. You might have noticed in rural areas or places where dogs are not raised as delicately as ours, their teeth are often bright and white because they frequently get to chew large bones and eat hard foods.
　　 3. Promotes firm stools: After eating bones, dogs' stools become firmer than usual. If your dog often has loose stools, try giving them bones to chew. However, if the dog is already constipated, do not feed bones.
　　 2. Risks of eating bones:
　　 The main risk from eating bones is that they can easily injure the dog's mouth and digestive tract (the bones themselves are not inherently harmful). Eating bones can cause the following harms:
　　 1. Bones can injure the mouth and digestive tract.
　　 2. Large bones can cause esophageal blockage; excessive bone eating can cause gastritis or gastroenteritis.
　　 3. Sharp bone fragments can cause stomach perforation, etc.
　　 3. Which bones should not be fed to dogs:
　　 1. Avoid feeding long bird bones: Long bones refer to those from legs and wings. Bird bones are hollow to reduce flight weight, so when broken, they easily form sharp edges that can puncture the dog's mouth and esophagus. Even if swallowed, they can easily injure the stomach, so do not feed these bones.
　　 2. Avoid feeding bird neck bones: Some people think these bones are safe and won't cause injury, but they tend to cause esophageal blockage, especially in dogs that eat quickly without proper chewing. An esophageal blockage requires a hospital visit, so it’s best to be cautious.
　　 3. Avoid pig, cow, or sheep bones with joints: Large bones with joints are best avoided because dogs enthusiastically chew bones, and tendons at the joints can make teeth get stuck in crevices, causing tooth fractures.
　　 4. Which bones are safe to eat:
　　 Cooked or raw large leg bones from pigs, cows, or sheep are safe to feed dogs. Some say raw bones are better for dogs’ digestion and dental health, so feeding raw meat is recommended.
　　 However, feeding raw meat or bones carries a higher risk of parasite infection. Since dogs’ immune systems have weakened through prolonged human domestication, it’s advised to feed bones cooked.
　　 Also, when your dog is chewing bones, owners should frequently observe for any gum injuries, swallowing of small bone fragments knocked off large bones, or dogs dangerously holding overly long bones in their mouth trying to reach marrow. Always watch carefully and do not be negligent.
　　 Final reminder: Owners should avoid randomly dropping bones on the ground during meals, as an unintentional act can threaten the dog's life.