Can Dogs Eat Lamb Shank Bones? [Risks & Benefits]

Dogs love bones. And they’ll love you for serving it to them! Your pup, too, must crave bones once in a while.

But as a dog parent, worrying about everything you feed your furry friend is natural. There must have come a time when you wondered, “can I feed lamb shank bones to my dog?”. Don’t worry; we are here to answer precisely that! 

Can Dogs Eat Lamb Shank Bones?

Yes, dogs can eat lamb shank bones. However, please pay attention to whether you’re serving it to them cooked or raw. Cooked lamb shank bones will splinter and potentially cause internal damage to your dog when consumed. Raw bones with some meat are an excellent choice to feed your pup. Dogs can also digest lamb shank bones easily, as they are softer.

Lamb shank bones are a great snack idea for dogs. But there are still many things you must know before feeding your dog lamb shank bones. Continue reading to learn more! 

How Are Lamb Shank Bones Good for Dogs?

Serving your dog a lamb shank bone for it to chew on is a brilliant idea! Many dog owners give their dogs lamb shank bones because it’s large and demanding.

Lamb shank bones come with their share of benefits that every dog parent would want their pup to enjoy. Besides satisfying your dog with all the chewing, lamb shank bones are also a good source of calcium and phosphorous. 

Studies have proven that feeding raw bones to dogs significantly enhances their dental health. It helps maintain solid and clean teeth and strengthens the jaw because of all the chewing. Additionally, lamb shank bones can reduce bloating in dogs and decrease the risk of anal gland problems.

These bones are an excellent choice for those dogs that become restless. So, if your pup needs to calm down anytime during the day, simply give it a bone!

Risks of Feeding Lamb Shank Bones to Dogs

Lamb shank bones are only safe for dogs if they are adequately served. We’ve looked at how lamb shank bones are advantageous to dogs. But it is also essential to know the risks associated with feeding these bones. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Choosing the Bone

One rule while serving your pup lamb shank bones is to give it a bone larger than its muzzle. This ensures your dog doesn’t end up swallowing the bone and choking on it. So, it is best to avoid feeding it sharp-edged bones as well. This will prevent potential injuries to your pup’s tongue.

It is also essential to avoid much larger bones such as knucklebones, as they are relatively thicker. Your pup can break its teeth on these bones if you don’t give them the right ones. Please stick to serving your pup raw lamb shanks, tail bones, or lamb ribs.

Cleaning the bone

Your pup’s stomach has acids capable of digesting raw bones and killing any bacteria they come with. If the raw bone you served your dog has meat, it could be dangerous for dogs. Raw meat is a health hazard for some dogs. So, please pay attention to the meat you give them as well.

Additionally, please remove the fat or skin from raw bones before offering it to your pup. Raw animal fat or skin can sometimes result in health problems such as pancreatitis and gastrointestinal disturbances.

Serving cooked bones

Cooked bones are a significant health hazard for dogs. Cooking lamb shank bones can result in them splintering. If your dog eats these splintered bones, it will injure or rupture your intestines or other parts of its gut.

Monitoring your dog

Your role doesn’t end at simply serving your dog lamb shank bones. Please monitor your dog throughout its chewing on the bone.

Leaving your pup unattended with a bone can result in various complications. Please look out for any signs of distress in your dog when it eats lamb shank bones:

• Choking
• Abdominal pain
• Shallow breath 
• Vomiting 
• Constipation

If your dog has any pre-existing stomach issues or bowel diseases, it is best to avoid lamb shank bones altogether. The marrow of these bones is pretty rich and worsens these health problems.

Feeding Your Dog Lamb Shank Bones: Tips!

We want to help you give your pup the best experience with lamb shank bones. Here are some tips we hope will help you safely feed bones to your dog:

• It is best to choose fresh bones for your pup. You can find these from your local butcher or a farm.
• Please keep in mind to monitor how long your dog has the bone. Allowing your furry friend 30 to 45 minutes with the bone is sufficient. It shouldn’t be chewing on it for too long at room temperature. 
• One way to avoid potential infections from these bones is to freeze them. Freezing will help get rid of harmful bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Lamb Bones?

No, cooked lamb bones are not safe for dogs. On cooking lamb shank bones, they splinter. If your dog eats these, it could cause severe internal damage to your dog’s GI tract.

Can Dogs Eat Slow Cooked Lamb Bones?

No, dogs aren’t safe to eat slow-cooked lamb bones. Slow-cooked lamb bones, too, splinter. This could choke your dog or cause internal damage to its digestive system. 

Can Dogs Eat Grilled Lamb Chop Bones?

No, dogs are not safe to eat grilled lamb chops. There is scope for creating toxic substances for dogs during the grilling process. So, it is best to avoid feeding grilled bones to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Whole Lamb Bones?

Yes, dogs can safely eat whole lamb bones. Whole lamb bones enhance the dental health and are an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. Please ensure that your dog only eats raw whole lamb shank bones as it could choke otherwise.

Can Dogs Eat Boiled Lamb Bones?

No, boiled lamb shank bones are not safe for dogs to eat. Lamb shank bones become quite brittle after boiling. This increases their risk of posing as a choking hazard to your pup. 

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Lamb Shank Bones?

Yes, dogs can eat frozen lamb bones. Please keep an eye out for any signs of choking or discomfort while they eat frozen lamb bones. Your dog will enjoy frozen lamb shank bones the best when they are served fresh. 

Can Dogs Eat Lamb Shank Bone Marrow?

Yes, dogs are safe to eat lamb bone marrow. It is best to serve lamb shank bone marrow raw to your dog, so it’s not dangerous for your dog.

Conclusion 

We hope all your doubts about feeding your dog lamb shank bones have been cleared! Lamb shank bones are a fantastic choice for dogs as long as they are appropriately served. 

As we discussed above, raw lamb shank bones are the best way to serve dogs. Cooked bones are prone to splintering and can lead to internal damage in the gut. It is also essential to monitor your dog closely when you feed it lamb shank bones. If your dog eats the bone for too long, it can choke.

Otherwise, lamb shank bones are an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. They are a good source of calcium and phosphorous. Your dog will love you for serving it some juicy lamb shank bones! 

Thanks for reading!