Avoiding Home-Cooked Bones and Other Risky Options
Healthy Dogs | December 10, 2021
Few things are as classic as a dog with a bone. For good reason; chewing is an important activity for dogs, and a good raw, meaty bone can provide nutritional variety as well as necessary mental stimulation. Chewing also helps to clean teeth, build jaw muscles and provide entertainment. Meanwhile, this activity releases endorphins that can help reduce anxiety. Plus, providing your dog with a healthy chew can prevent them from chewing unapproved items, which can be very unsafe.
However, not all bones are safe for dogs to chew. The last thing you want to happen when you give your dog a tasty bone treat is to end up at the emergency vet with punctured or blocked intestines. But if your dog is able to break small pieces off the bone and swallow them, these can lead to choking, blockages or damage to the GI tract. Some bones can also cause dogs to vomit, have diarrhea or severe constipation, or chip or crack their teeth. Aggressive chewers may even inflict cuts or wounds to their mouths.
Mud Bay’s chew selector tool in store and online can help you determine what kind of chewer your dog is—whether they’re a gummer, nibbler, gnawer, chomper or gulper—which is a great first step in matching the best and safest chew to your dog. When you’re considering bones as the chew of choice, there are a few things to keep in mind.
While it may be tempting to share the drumstick of that delicious chicken you’ve been roasting all afternoon, especially when you’ve seen smoked or cooked bones at Mud Bay and other pet stores, it’s never safe to feed home-cooked bones to dogs. The cooked bones sold by pet stores are generally slow roasted at low temperatures to retain moisture, which leads to less brittle bones. Bones cooked at home are often smaller, and they’re always cooked at higher temperatures. High heat can lead to drier bones that are more likely to splinter.
Try our article All Dogs Need to Chew for more on the benefits of chewing, or Shop Dog Treats and Chews.
Raw bones are a great alternative to home-cooked bones. Since these bones are uncooked, they retain all of their moisture and are much less likely to break off in chunks or splinter and cause damage. Just make sure to offer the appropriately sized bone for your dog. If you don’t have the time (or the budget) to visit your local pet store, try a trusted grocer or local butcher. Though there may be slightly more risk of food-borne illnesses like salmonella and E. Coli in bones not prepared specifically for pets, the risk is minimal for dogs who are otherwise healthy.
One type of bone to avoid whether raw or cooked is pork bone. Pork bones often cause constipation and gastric upset, and they can even trigger pancreatitis in both dogs and cats.
Some preservatives, flavoring or seasonings could also be harmful to dogs, especially if the bone you’re considering wasn’t flavored specifically with dogs in mind. Ensure that any seasoning or coating on bones you offer your dog are non-toxic and safe for them to consume. If you ever see or smell anything that causes you to question the safety of a bone, like mold, strong odor or discoloration, don’t give it to your dog.
While there are small risks associated with all chews, most dogs are born with an insatiable need to chew. Your veterinarian can help you pick the right bone or chew if your dog has specific health concerns or is a known aggressive chewer who might break their teeth. Otherwise, use these tips to choose the right chew for your dog.
Mud Bay Delivery offers free same-day delivery 🚚 when you order before 2 pm. From food and supplements to toys, treats, and even frozen items, we’ll bring it all right to your door. It’s available seven days a week, with free delivery on orders over $30.
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Shop anytime at MudBay.com and let Mud Bay Delivery bring your pet’s go-to items straight to you. Click the link in our bio to place your order today.
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When the bone broth becomes the treat.
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Turn Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth into easy, homemade frozen treats with the Messy Mutts Silicone Treat Mold this summer. Made from flexible BPA- and PVC-free, food-grade silicone, the molds feature convenient fill lines for portioning and a notched center that makes it easy to break larger treats into smaller pieces.
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Pour in the collagen-rich bone broth, freeze, and serve. Made from humanely raised turkey bones and slow-simmered with pumpkin, carrot, and turmeric, it adds flavor, hydration, and enrichment to your dog’s day.
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Minimal prep. Maximum tail wags. Shop Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth and the Messy Mutts Bake and Freeze Dog treat maker in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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Reduce. Reuse. Go for a walk.
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The Eco Collar and Leash Collection from RC Pets is made with REPREVE® webbing, created from 100% recycled plastic bottles. 🇨🇦 Proudly made in Vancouver, Canada, these collars and leashes are designed to be durable, comfortable, and ready for everyday adventures.
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And now you can shop RC Pets Eco Collar and Leashes for your dog in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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Starting today our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn’t be easier to participate!
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Here’s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo or a video of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
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Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs.
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Want to participate, but need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Maybe a soccer ⚽️ ball for your pup with a certain soccer tournament kicking off this week? We’ve got you covered!
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Stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
It’s never a bad time to chill. 🧘♀️ 🐾
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Swell`s My Chill Time Premium Dog Gelato is made with functional ingredients like chamomile and passion flower tea, which help your pup stay cool, calm, and collected when summer activities makes thier day-to-day a little more stressful. Plus, it includes blackberries, 🥥 coconut milk, ginger, beets, and 🍯 🐝 honey, which are great for digestion and antioxidant support.
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Swell Premium Dog Gelato is not only a tasty treat on a hot summer day, but it also helps keep your pup living their best life and staying CHILL. Shop My Chill Time from Swell in-store or online at Mud Bay this summer. 🌞
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Adventure-ready and made for the water, the Ruffwear Float Coat helps keep your dog comfortable during every swim.
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The Float Coat offers a secure, telescoping neck closure that adjusts to fit a variety of dog sizes, while the lightweight foam panels support natural movement and buoyancy in the water, keeping them comfortable and safe.
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Plus, it offers a super handy, low-profile handle that makes it easy to lift your pup out of the water, and reflective accents that add extra visibility for long days at the lake, beach, or river.
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Bring your pup in-store or shop with us online for the Ruffwear Float coat today!
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🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
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Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
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We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
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Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
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Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
🐾
And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
🐾
Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
Canagan canned cat food is grain-free and made with your cat in mind, using high-quality protein from chicken, salmon, tuna, and more.
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It’s inspired by what cats are naturally built to eat, with a focus on animal protein and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
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It’s also an easy way to add moisture to your cat’s routine—something many cats don’t get enough of—which can help support your feline friend with kidney and urinary-tract health.
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🛍️ Shop Canagan Complete Cat Food in-store or online at Mud Bay.
Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
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Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
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Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
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🐾🌷The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection
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Meet Harley, out in the tulip fields and ready for her next outing in the Front Range Flex Harness, Collar, and Leash.
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Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or your next PNW adventure, this collection is designed for everyday use and changing conditions:
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Lightweight and built to handle wet conditions
Easy to clean, just hand-wash and air-dry
Made with durable materials for every outing
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Harley picked her look… now it’s your turn.
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The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection is now available at Mud Bay. Shop in-store or online today!
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