You have to admit there are some dog behaviors that are a complete mystery to humans. One of them is why dogs like bones so much. But there are actually several good reasons behind this seemingly weird obsession that dogs have with bones. Read on to find out more.
Dogs are obsessed with bones for a number of reasons. One, chewing and gnawing are natural instincts for dogs. Bones give them a chance to chew to their heart’s content. This activity releases endorphins (happy hormones) in dog brains and makes them feel good.
Secondly, dogs find chewing on bones to be mentally stimulating. It alleviates boredom, gives them something to do, and keeps them out of trouble.
Third, chewing on bones helps to clean plaque from their teeth. It is therefore a self-grooming exercise. The gum massage they get from chewing on bones also feels good to dogs. Plus, it’s good exercise for the jaw muscles.
Last but not least, the meat left on bones is a rich source of protein. Dogs are instinctually attracted to bones because they provide high-quality nutrition.
You might have noticed that when you give your dog a bone, he or she quickly goes and buries it in the yard or under their bedclothes. This behavior harks back to the time when dogs were wild animals that lived in packs. Hiding or burying bones was a natural survival instinct to protect food from thieves. Dogs also like the taste of dug-up bones better because of nutrients absorbed from the soil. That’s why it’s so satisfying for your pooch to chew on a dug-up bone.
Many veterinarians recommend that you don’t allow your dog to bury a bone or eat it later. You should also be very careful that your dog doesn’t eat an animal carcass, as this can make him seriously ill. This is especially true for dogs that have a habit of rolling in dead animals.
It may be tempting to give your dog a frozen bone on a hot day. It would cool him down and keep him busy. But it is best to avoid giving frozen bones to dogs. These bones can be brittle and may break up into sharp splinters that could cause severe damage to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Also, a frozen bone may be too hard and could break your dog’s teeth or hurt his gums.
If you find raw bones to be too messy, try giving them to your pet outside or on a hardwood floor which is easier to clean.
Some dogs like bones more than meat because bones taste yummy, satisfy their urge to chew, and provide mental stimulation. Read some tips on choosing the best food for your dog.
You may have noticed that a dog will sometimes growl when you take away their bone. It’s simply because the dog loves chewing on the bone and when you take it away, they don’t like it and think you’re punishing them.
Some dogs get possessive about bones because they are guarding a nutrition source. It’s something they learned as a young puppy. On the other hand, some dogs develop a tendency to get possessive and weird with bones based on past negative experiences. For example, a dog that was starved at some point in the past may be unusually possessive about food sources.
Yes, dogs chew bones when they are happy. Chewing is a primal instinct for dogs and it gives them pleasure.
However, sometimes, bored or anxious dogs will chew on bones because the activity provides mental and physical stimulation and relieves stress.
Chewing a bone is both mental and physical stimulation for dogs. It keeps a dog’s mind busy and provides a good workout to the jaw muscles. But of course, any physical stimulation from chewing a bone is not a replacement for physical exercise, such as a run or play session in the yard.
Bones are good sources of nutrition for dogs. Giving your dogs bones to chew on is natural and healthy. As mentioned, chewing on bones provides your dog with mental stimulation, makes him feel good, cleans his teeth, and provides nutrition.
But it’s important to feed your dog the right type of bones. Veterinarians say cooked bones are not safe for dogs. In fact, many human foods can be extremely toxic for dogs. Cooked bones from your kitchen or those purchased in stores are brittle and can easily break off. The sharp pieces can cause extensive damage to a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, including life-threatening internal bleeding.
Instead, give your dog raw meat bones to chew on. However, these should not be too hard as they can damage your dog’s teeth and cause tooth fractures.
Experts recommend giving your dog a raw bone that is large enough to gnaw at without the risk of it breaking into sharp shards or smaller chunks that can cause bleeding or blockages.
Also, always supervise your dog when he or she is chewing on bones. If left unmonitored, your dog could suffer serious health consequences from chewing on bones.
Stay tuned to the Puppy Hero blog for answers to all your questions about dogs. Find out how many teeth dogs have, how long it takes for dogs to digest food, and much more.
30 December, 2022