We all like to give our pet’s treats, but bones should not be on the list of treat foods. Bones can cause no end of problems for our pets. Apart from large raw cannon bones or similar – small, cooked or cut bones can cause problems throughout the digestive tract. Bones can become lodged in the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, intestine, cause severe constipation in the rectum and colon. So, think carefully how you dispose of the left-over bones of the Sunday roast! They are not a treat for your dog and be careful not to throw them in the rubbish or on the compost heap where your mate can find them.

Unfortunately, this pup learnt the hard way bones are not treat-food. Being a dog that usually enjoyed his food, his owner noticed him acting a bit strange when he ate. When his fur-parents took a closer look, they managed to catch a glimpse of something and brought him into Anexa Ngatea for further investigation. We discovered a bone lodged across the roof of the mouth (ouch!). The vet sedated the dog and removed the bone; luckily his mouth will heal quickly as the oral cavity is one of the fastest healing parts of the body. Our pup is much happier now and back to enjoying his dinner as he should, being able to eat comfortably again.

If you suspect your pet’s eating habits have changed, it’s always a good idea to get your pet checked out as this owner did. We also urge you to give your canine family members food specifically designed for them – even better choose a dental treat, it will not only be a yummy treat for your dog but clean their teeth too.