My Dog Was Vomitting All Night After I Fed Him Lamb Ribs From The Supermarket!
My Dog Was Vomitting All Night After I Fed Him Lamb Ribs From The Supermarket!
Wednesday 28th August 2013 @ 1:59 PM. (NZST)
Erin Dowler
Dr Erin Dowler - Veterinarian
Question:Hey, I bought my dog some lamb ribs, in the pet food section at the supermarket on special, it said not fit for human consumption I cooked them up
with some carrot and potato and he chucked all night. He wasn't very
hungry the next day. Do
you think it was the ribs? If it was do you think I should tell the supermarket that sold them they are not fit for dog consumption either?
Short answer to your question is: yes and yes. I am glad that you asked this as it touches on a serious (and controversial) topic that people should know about. I was recently taken aback when I saw these products at a supermarket as well. While bones do have some benefit for dental health, the possible cons outweigh this. Having seen the consequences repetitively, I recommend avoiding them.
Many owners cook bones with meat on to decrease bacteria. However, bones should never be cooked, as they become brittle and are more likely to break teeth. They don’t provide any dental benefit once the meat has been chewed off and risk causing damage. Cooked bones are also more likely to shatter, producing sharp shards. If swallowed, these can cause potentially fatal perforation of the stomach or intestines, requiring emergency surgery.
Uncooked bones aren’t safe either. Small bones, or small parts broken off large bones, can be swallowed and block the oesophagus, stomach or intestines, also requiring emergency surgery. There aren’t many dogs with mouths so small they couldn’t swallow those ribs. Bones can also cause gastrointestinal upset and significant constipation, which requires veterinary treatment and can affect normal expression of anal glands.
There are many great alternatives to bones these days. For example, tendons provide chewing entertainment and teeth cleaning, without the risks. There are also many chew toys available designed to clean teeth and safer delicious treats.
If any dog shows signs of vomiting after eating a bone, I recommend seeing a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important to find some of the more serious consequences early to give your dog the best chance of a full recovery.
I hope your dog is feeling much better. Thank you for raising awareness.
Erin Dowler (Veterinarian)
