Can I give a ham shank bone to a little dog?

QSis

Grill Master
Staff member
NCT Patron
I have a nice, big bone from a boiled ham shank, and I have a nice, little neighbor's dog who loves bones.

Is it safe for her to have?

Lee
 

Attachments

  • Mandi 3.JPG
    Mandi 3.JPG
    179.7 KB · Views: 2,472
It's been my experience that pork bones have a tendency to splinter much like chicken bones. So, I would say no.
 
Anytime you give a dog a cooked bone, you run the risk of it splintering and causing an obstruction or a puncture anywhere in the digestive tract. Cooked bird bones and pork bones are really bad about splintering. Cooked beef bones have a tendency to crumble instead of splinter...not to say that some beef bones, especially the smaller beef bones, can't splinter too. It's always better to give them raw bones. It's just not worth the risk IMHO.
 
Here's the bone. It's pretty big, for a little dog. Nice smooth knuckles on the end, no sharp edges.

(Can you tell I'd love to give it to her? :-) )

Lee
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1793.JPG
    IMG_1793.JPG
    92.1 KB · Views: 2,255
I fed my dogs dog food and never gave them bones. Too many horror stories from friends for me to take a chance. They all lived happy lives without bones or table scraps. A dog is a 4-legged trash can that will eat anything just to fill its belly, and knows nothing of the consequences. JMHO

How about making some nice soup with that bone?
 
LOL! okokokokokokokokok!

Normally, I'd make pea soup, since I love it, but I'm trying to eat soups with lower carbs these days.

To the trash with my bone!

Thanks, everyone!

(lobo, if it was my own dog, I'd probably go with your okay, but then, I sometimes leave frozen meat out on the counter overnight to thaw, too. ;-) )

Lee
 
Lee, frozen meat on the MGJ counter top would have a shelf life of the time it takes to turn your back and take one step LOL! Our Jake is quite the opportunist. Yes, we tried the mouse trap method. He would get on his haunches a step away from the counter and scout out the safe spots to set his feet. We now use the top of the refrigerator as counter top space.
 
LOL! okokokokokokokokok!

Normally, I'd make pea soup, since I love it, but I'm trying to eat soups with lower carbs these days.

To the trash with my bone!

Thanks, everyone!

(lobo, if it was my own dog, I'd probably go with your okay, but then, I sometimes leave frozen meat out on the counter overnight to thaw, too. ;-) )

Lee
OMG, DON'T THROW AWAY THE BONE!!!!!! Freeze it for when you get over this "lower carbs" phase you're going through. THEN you can make the soup when you're thinking more clearly.:D
 
OMG, DON'T THROW AWAY THE BONE!!!!!! Freeze it for when you get over this "lower carbs" phase you're going through. THEN you can make the soup when you're thinking more clearly.:D
Thank you for the chuckle!! THE CAPS almost made me wet myself. I could see the frenzy as your fingers typed. :D

I was thinking boil the bone for stock, freeze it and use to flavor other dishes.
 
I have a ham bone in the fridge for my tow 85# labs.

Bones are controversial, to say the least. I have never had a problem giving them bones. I do watch and do not let them have it forever. A little dog should have a lot of fun for a couple hours chewing the meat off.

If you are concerned, do not leave the dog unattended with it. or just take it away after the meat is cleaned off. Personally, I doube that a little dog can exert enough pressure to shatter a bone that size.

Just my two cents.
 
Anytime you give a dog a cooked bone, you run the risk of it splintering and causing an obstruction or a puncture anywhere in the digestive tract. Cooked bird bones and pork bones are really bad about splintering. Cooked beef bones have a tendency to crumble instead of splinter...not to say that some beef bones, especially the smaller beef bones, can't splinter too. It's always better to give them raw bones. It's just not worth the risk IMHO.
Exactly what I have read Mama. I never give cooked ham or chicken bones to our dogs. I give beef bones maybe once a year. I simply do not want to chance the splintering causing damage.
 
Top