Urgent vet warning over dog treat that can lead to life-threatening illness – why you shouldn’t feed it to your pet
DOG owners have been urged to be wary when giving their pets a popular treat – as it could have deadly consequences.
Safety fears have been raised over a certain snack that pooches love to gnaw on, prompting a vet to issue a stark warning.
The River Road Veterinary Clinic revealed a list of the most dangerous toys which could cause serious injuries to avoid giving your dog.
Brits were informed that seemingly low-risk treats could actually leave pups with life-threatening illnesses.
Despite many pet owners living by the expression “give a dog a bone”, the vet has advised people to reconsider this supposed solution to satisfying a dog’s chewing tendencies.
The clinic explained that although marrow bones may seem like a great option when your canine is chomping on your furniture, they can be severely problematic for pooches.
They said: “Unfortunately, marrow bones do not come without risk.
“The fatty marrow found in the centre of the bones can cause pancreatitis in sensitive dogs so it is best to scoop most of the centre out BEFORE giving it to your pet.”
Animals suffering from pancreatitis may experience pain, diarrhea, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, a fever and a hunched back.
Repeatedly devouring marrow bones could trigger the life-threatening illness, especially if the treat is regularly consumed alongside a high-fat diet.
If the condition goes untreated, mild cases can progress to more serious symptoms which may result in sudden death.
The vet also urged owners to make sure the marrow bones are raw, not cooked – as cooked bones can splinter, requiring surgical removal.
Bone fragments can become lodged in a dog’s throat, pierce the gut lining and become trapped in the small intestines.
Animals are also at risk of breaking their teeth, causing injuries to their gums and becoming constipated from marrow bones.
Other concerns raised by vets include bacterial contamination such as Campylobacter and Salmonella.
Dog lovers are advised to contact a vet immediately if they suspect their pet may be unwell after munching on the popular treat.
The vets also advised people not to feed their dog rawhide bones, as they can swell up to four times its size inside a pooch’s stomach.
Rawhide is a cattle product that is processed using chemicals and is washed with water and bleach or hydrogen peroxide before being dried and flavoured.
The chews are stiff and have a leathery texture that can be hard for dogs and other animals to digest.
Rawhide bones can easily splinter off and cause destruction inside your pet’s stomach and inside its mouth when chewing.
The River Road Clinic said: “They [rawhide] are often swallowed and they absorb water and swell within the stomach, growing in size and rendering them unable to pass through the intestines.
“Foreign body surgery to remove the large chunk of rawhide is then the only way to solve the problem.”
The vet also urged pet owners to ditch rubber balls and small stuffed toys to keep their dogs safe.