Most people will tell you their Rottie will eat anything! This may be true, but not everything is good for them, is it?
What about Chicken Bones? Can a Rottweiler eat chicken bones? And, are they safe for your Rottweiler to eat?
I had wondered about this myself, so I did some digging on the web. This is what I found…
Yes, a Rottweiler can eat chicken bones. But, only chicken bones that are not cooked! It is safe for your Rottweiler to eat RAW chicken bones. This subject is a bit controversial, but let me tell you the benefits and risks associated with bones…and what NOT to give your Rottie…
Never feed ANY dog a cooked bone of ANY kind! Cooked bones are soft, and can splinter into dangerously sharp shards. This poses both a choking hazard AND the risk of your Rottie cutting his mouth, throat or pierce intestines.
Why are Bones Good for Rottweilers?
- Bones are an all-natural source of calcium and phosphorus.
- Bones can help your Rottie pup break his teeth.
- Dogs of any age like playing with and gnawing on bones!
- Bones satisfy the chewing urge that is natural and common to all canines.
- Bones help prevent boredom in high-energy dogs like Rottweilers.
What are the RISKS of Feeding Your Rottie Bones?
Cooked bones are soft and brittle and can splinter, putting your Rottie in danger of the following:
- Choking on a bone shard
- Cuts in the mouth from sharp bone splinters
- Perforations in esophagus
- Puncturing the stomach lining
- Lodging in or perforating the intestine
- Irritating or cutting the anus upon exit
Can Dog Bones Carry Salmonella?
Follow food Safety Rules when feeding you Rottie, or any dog, bones!
This eliminates the risk of salmonella contamination and other bacteria that may cause illness, diarrhea, and vomiting, or even death!
How to Tell if a Bone is Fresh and Safe
- The Expiration Date on meat packaging
- Refrigerated bones that are fresh will smell fresh. If the bone smells foul or has any mold on it, throw it away!
- Discard chewed bones after 24 hours
- If in doubt, throw it out!
What if your Rottweiler is CHOKING on a bone?
- Examine his open mouth for the visible obstruction. If you can see the bone, grab it and, as carefully as possible, remove it.
If you can’t see the bone, employ the CANINE HEIMLICH Maneuver
- Regardless of consciousness, sweep your finger through the dog’s mouth in an effort to feel or dislodge any object. Use caution to avoid being bitten.
- If the object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward to try to dislodge the object.
- If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, lift the dog and place the dog’s spine against your chest. (Lay the dog on his side if he is too heavy to lift or unconscious)
- Standing behind the dog, bend over and wrap your arms around the dog under the rib cage. (or kneel with the dog’s legs pointing towards you.)
- Make a fist with one hand and place the other hand over your fist. (Or, for the dog on his side: Place your palms over each other just behind the dog’s ribs)
- Pulling in and up, give 5 rapid abdominal thrusts. (Or for the dog on his side: Pushing in and up, give 5 rapid abdominal thrusts)
- If the object was not dislodged, hold your dog in a sitting or standing position and give 5 sharp blows with your hand to the dog’s back between the shoulder blades.
- If the dog is not breathing, give 5 breaths into his mouth (plugging his nose with your hand) and then 5 abdominal thrusts again and continue this pattern until the object is dislodged.
- When the object is dislodged, stop the abdominal thrusts.
- Check the dog’s airway, breathing, and heartbeat.
- Take the dog to your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately if he lost consciousness, stopped breathing or shows any signs of bleeding from mouth or anus. (Source)
What Other Kinds of Bones Can Rotties Eat?
Other tasty bones your Rottie might enjoy chomping:
- Beef Bones (especially the Bone “knuckles”)
- Lamb Bones
- Venison Bones
- Duck or Goose Bones
- Goat Bones
- Moose Bones
- Bear Bones
Are There any Bones Rottweilers SHOULD NOT Eat?
In addition to ANY cooked bones, also make sure your Rottie doesn’t get ahold of the following bones:
- Pork ~Raw pork bones carry bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, salmonella or even death!
- Fish Bones ~These bones are sharp and dangerous! Fish Bones pose a high risk of choking or perforation.
- Store-bought/packaged bones or bone treats ~The treats may be dried through baking or smoking and may contain preservatives and added flavoring.
Are Bones Sold in Stores Good For a Rottweiler?
Absolutely not! Bones and Bone Treats sold in stores can cause illness and even be fatal! The FDA reports in USA Today that these bone treats can splinter, causing injury. Furthermore, they may contain ingredients not safe for your Rottie, like preservatives, sugars, and flavorings.
Feeding your Rottweiler pre-packaged bones and bone treats puts him at risk for the following ailments:
- Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract)
- Choking
- Cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Death. Approximately fifteen dogs reportedly died after eating a bone treat.
I learned from experience about these packaged bones! Some are dried and some are smoked. They are extremely dry and brittle and pieces feel like shards of glass.
Are Rawhide Bones Good for Rottweilers?
Pros of Rawhide Bones:
- Most dogs like the flavor
- Prevents boredom in high-energy animals
- Satisfies chewing urge
- Convenient
- No salmonella risk
Cons of Rawhide Bones:
- Choking or blockage risk
- Pieces of Rawhide can break off, obstructing the intestine
- May cause digestive irritation
Personally, I do not feed my rottweiler any rawhide bones. I think they are not good for a Rottweiler or any dog. They are too much like plastic…in my opinion 🙂
I also don’t feed him store-bought bones that are smoked or dried. Some pieces feel like glass!
Sometimes Rotties eat things that make them feel sick. Here’s some helpful info about Rottie’s upset stomach.
We did some research for you and found some great top rated natural/digestible chews for your Rottie…
CHECK OUT NATURAL CHEW BONES FOR BIG DOGS
Although most dogs enjoy the many varieties of Dog Biscuit “Bones”, give using them careful consideration!
These “Bone” treats often contain milk products that can irritate some dogs’ digestive systems. Additionally, Dog Biscuit “Bones” contain sugar outwardly or hidden behind one of the many other names for sugar.
The bottom line is, in this humble Rottie Parent’s opinion, Dog Biscuit “Bones” offer zero benefits and aren’t worth the risk of health issues that can arise from my Maximus eating sugar!
Are Bones Better than Chew Toys?
There is nothing wrong with chew toys to amuse, exercise or prevent boredom in your Rottweiler, providing they’ve passed safety standards and don’t pose a choking or perforation risk.
Your Rottie can enjoy a plethora of toys, while still being treated to the occasional RAW meat bone. Like humans, dogs can get bored, and do enjoy a variety of things to play with and chew on!
When it comes to feeding your Rottie Bones, take these things into consideration:
✅ Never feed your Rottie a cooked bone!
✅ Check the size of the bone! ~Don’t feed your Rottie a bone that is too small. The bone could easily get lodged in his throat!
✅ Is the bone fresh? ~Never use an old bone or one that hasn’t been refrigerated. It could have salmonella growing on it.
✅ Does the bone wear away evenly as your Rottie gnaws, or does it break away into dangerously sharp slivers? If the bone isn’t wearing evenly and without sharp edges, throw it OUT!
I hope this has helped you determine whether or not you want to feed your Rottweiler chicken bones or other types of bones.
Related Topic
Now that you know how important chewing is to your Rottweiler, and what he should or should not chew, you’ll want to check out some more things he’ll love sinking his teeth into! Check out “TOUGH TOYS Your Rottweiler will Love”.
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
