Can Dogs Eat Lamb Shank Bones?

Dogs are natural scavengers and will eat anything they come across.

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This sometimes leads to dogs eating things that aren’t good for them, like bones.

Lamb shank bones are a popular dog treat; dogs love to drag them around and chew on them, but are they safe?

So, can dogs eat lamb shank bones?

Dogs can safely eat lamb shank bones as long as they are raw and uncooked.

Cooked bones are dangerous to dogs as they can splinter and cause internal damage or blockages.

If you give your dog a raw lamb shank bone, supervise them and take the bone away once they have finished chewing on it.

This article will look at the nutritional content of lamb shank bones and whether they are a safe treat for your dog.

We’ll offer some safety tips to ensure your dog enjoys their treat without any health risks.

How can My Dog Benefit from Eating Lamb Shank Bones?

Lamb shank bones are a good source of protein and essential nutrients for dogs.

They also contain marrow, a fatty tissue rich in minerals and vitamins for a healthy coat and skin.

Chewing on a lamb shank bone helps keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.

Read below to learn more about the benefits of lamb shank bones for dogs.

Protein and Essential Nutrients

Lamb shank bones are a good source of protein and essential nutrients for dogs.

Protein is an important part of a dog’s diet since it helps build and repair muscle tissue and is essential for a healthy immune system.

Lamb shank bones also contain marrow, a fatty tissue rich in minerals and vitamins for a healthy coat and skin.

Dental Health

Chewing on a lamb shank bone helps keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.

The chewing action scrapes away plaque and tartar build-up, keeping their teeth clean and their breath fresher.

Chewing also strengthens the muscles in the dog’s jaw and helps relieve boredom or stress.

Why Should I Avoid Feeding Dogs Lamb Shank Bones?

Risk of Splinting

Cooked bones are dangerous to dogs as they can splinter and cause internal damage or blockages.

If you give your dog a raw lamb shank bone, supervise them and take the bone away once they have finished chewing on it.

Watch for bleeding gums or excessive drooling, which indicates that your dog is splintering the bone.

If you are concerned, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Excessive bleeding, difficulty urinating or defecating, vomiting, or diarrhea are all signs of an internal blockage and require emergency treatment.

Choking

Lamb shank bones are a choking hazard for dogs, so it’s important to make sure they are the right size for your dog.

Avoid giving them bones that are too small, as these can easily be swallowed whole or choke your dog.

Besides, smaller breeds and puppies are at a higher risk as they can easily choke on larger bones.

To avoid choking hazards, cut the lamb shank bones into smaller pieces or supervise your dog while they chew on it.

If you feed cooked lamb shank bone, ensure your dog’s muzzle is not close to the bone as they can easily bite off a large chunk and choke on it.

Moreover, avoid using lamb shank bone as a treat or toy as your dog may try to swallow it whole.

Risk of Infection

Raw meat contains bacteria that can cause food poisoning in dogs.

To avoid this, ensure the lamb shank bones you give your dog are from a reputable source and have been stored correctly.

How to Feed Dogs Lamb Shank Bones Safely

If you do decide to give your dog a lamb shank bone, there are some safety tips you should follow:

Only give them raw lamb shank bones because cooked bones can splinter and cause internal damage.
Supervise your dog while they chew on the bone.
Cut the lamb shank bone into smaller pieces.
Avoid giving your dog small bones to avoid choking.
Only give lamb shank bones as an occasional treat and not part of their regular diet.

How do I Cook Lamb Shanks for My Dog?

Baking

However, if you choose to cook the lamb shank bones before giving them to your dog, this makes them easier to digest.

For instance, to cook the lamb shank bones, bake them in the oven at a low temperature for 30 minutes.

This kills any bacteria and makes them safe for your dog to eat.

When feeding cooked lamb shank bones to your dog, make sure they aren’t too hot and always supervise your dog while they eat.

Boiling

Besides baking, you can also boil the lamb shank bones for 30 minutes; this makes them softer and easier for your dog to chew.

You can also add the boiled lamb shank bones to your dog’s food for extra flavor and nutrition.

The following steps show you how to boil lamb shank bones for your dog:

Fill a pot with water and place the lamb shank bones inside.
Bring the pot of water to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove the lamb shank bones from the pot and allow them to cool before giving them to your dog.
Add the resulting broth to your dog’s food to add flavor and nutrients.

What is Best for My Dog: Cooked or Raw Lamb Shank Bones?

When it comes to nutrition, raw bones are better for dogs than cooked bones.

This is because raw bones contain more nutrients and marrow than cooked bones.

Conclusion

Dogs enjoy chewing on lamb shank bones as they are a good source of nutrition.

It also has a soothing effect that calms dogs down.

However, there are some risks associated with giving lamb shank bones to dogs, which include choking.

To avoid the risks, give your dog raw lamb shank bones and supervise them while they chew.

You should also cut the lamb shank bones into smaller pieces and only give them as an occasional treat.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.