Many people have such an impression of dogs, that dogs especially like to eat bones. No matter who you ask, their first answer is usually bones when asked what dogs like to eat. So, why do dogs like to eat bones? This is a question that many are interested in. Let’s explore it together.

Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Bones

1. Inherited Instinct

Actually, for many friends, the reason dogs like bones is confusing. After all, bones don’t have meat, and besides gnawing, there is no way to eat them. So why do they like them so much? In fact, there is a deeper reason. In the past, dogs were domesticated from wolves, so dogs still retain many of the wolf’s instincts. In the past, wolves lived in the wild and had no one to feed them. Whether or not there was something to eat depended on luck, so they were often hungry.

2. Life-saving Food During Hibernation

Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Bones

During hot weather, since animals come out to be active, wolves naturally do not lack food. But in winter during hibernation, food is scarce as most animals choose to hibernate. Wolves find it hard to get enough food and must rely on leftover bones to survive. Although bones seem to have no meat and no nutrition, they actually contain many nutrients. Most wolves get through hibernation by gnawing on bones, and dogs have inherited this instinct and thus like to gnaw bones very much.

3. Bones as a Reward

Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Bones

Gnawing bones not only supplements nutrition but also helps磨牙 (helps grind teeth). Long-term gnawing also strengthens bite force, giving an advantage when hunting. Although for dogs kept at home today, grinding teeth is not necessary, they still inherit this instinct. We can treat bones as a rewarding snack for dogs, just like giving children lollipops. Rewarding a dog with a bone occasionally when it behaves well is very good.

These are the reasons why dogs like to eat bones. Have you heard of them? In fact, dogs liking bones is nothing unusual. We can buy more bones to give dogs a warm reward, which can also deepen the relationship between us.