Vet Shares Risks of Using Bones to Clean Dog's Teeth

We all know that giving your pup cooked bones can cause them serious damage, or even be fatal, but how about raw bones? Some owners argue that because raw bones have a much smaller chance of splintering they're fine to give your dog, but a veterinarian from Texas had a lot to say about this.

In a post shared on TikTok earlier in December, Dr. Hunter Finn, veterinarian and founder of Pet Method Animal Hospital, reacts to a viral video claiming that raw bones are good for dogs' teeth, arguing that while they are a lot less dangerous than cooked ones, you shouldn't underestimate their potential to spread harmful bacteria.

"I will 100 percent agree that raw bones are less likely to splinter than cooked bones, [I] will also agree that the frictional force of chewing raw bones will help remove some plaque and tartar, but let's not forget that raw meat is probably coated in salmonella and listeria, or at least some is," Finn can be heard saying in the viral clip.

He told Newsweek that he does not like dogs chewing bones because bones send tons of dogs to the vet with broken teeth.

He said: "The most commonly affected tooth will be the upper fourth premolar as most dogs love to chew with those teeth and as they chew they can cause wear and tear and eventually fracture that tooth. Once a multiple-rooted tooth like that is fractured, it will need immediate care from a veterinary dentist, but most likely will result in surgery to remove that tooth as it will cause pain, discomfort, and of course a massive chance for infection.

"In some cases where dogs do chew through the bone and actually get to swallow it, those shards have to go somewhere, and that somewhere isn't anywhere good. It goes through the pharynx, down the esophagus, and into the stomach where it may sit for quite a while as it attempts to be digested by the animal's body. If all goes well it will make its way out of the gastrointestinal tract, but many times the bone shards cause things like diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes need surgery to remove them from the intestines if they get stuck."

Instead, Finn suggests that dogs should chew on dental chews that have the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval such as Greenies or Yummy Combs.

"If you want to go the all-natural route then go to the local market, buy whole carrots, and give those to your dog as a snack, under supervision of course. If your dog is a very heavy chewer, you may need to soak the carrot in bone broth and place it in the freezer for a few hours to make it a little more durable and enjoyable for them," he added.

In his clip, Finn also suggests brushing your dog's teeth instead of giving them bones, to clean the food deposited inside the gum line, which is what actually causes periodontal disease.

Yes, dogs do need their teeth brushed. VCA Animal Hospitals experts say that more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of 3 have periodontal disease. This starts out as gingivitis caused by plaque and often progresses to involve the bony tooth sockets.

The experts suggest brushing your pup's teeth at least three times a week to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation, for at least 30 seconds each time.

The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across Instagram. It has so far received over 3,642 likes and 135 comments on the platform.

One user, Everybodylovesbarney, commented: "My vet advised against feeding raw. Not worth the risks." And Northernmutt said: "I brush my cat's teeth nightly with an electronic kids toothbrush."

Hopahontas added: "Some dogs act like you're trying to kill them while you're clipping their nails. You think people can just pickup a toothbrush and brush their dogs' teeth? Like yeah, IDEALLY but not like... the reality is far from the ideal."

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