Bones are a natural part of your dog’s diet. Chewing bones helps to keep his/her teeth clean, they keep him occupied and provide hours of amusement. However, there are a few points to remember when choosing which bones to feed your dog.

• Never feed your dog cooked bones; they can splinter and are broken down when swallowed which can cause constipation. Your dog may have to undergo general anaesthesia to have them removed if this happens, and at the very least it causes great discomfort.
• Never feed small bones such as chop bones which they can swallow whole. These can cause an intestinal obstruction or even perforation which may require surgery and can be fatal.
• Marrow bones are great for large dogs, but it is important to remember that marrow is very fatty. The bones can be split lengthways and the marrow removed to prevent weight gain and other problems such as pancreatitis.
• Raw chicken wings are good for small dogs. Feed these twice weekly to keep their teeth clean.
• Always remember that when feeding your dog raw food, it is important to worm them at least every three months.