Can Dogs Have Salmon Bones? A Comprehensive Guide for Pet Owners

We dog owners are always on the lookout for tasty treats and healthy foods to give our furry friends. Salmon is good for dogs because it has protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But when it comes to salmon bones, things get a bit trickier. There are a lot of questions about whether or not dogs can eat salmon bones. This guide will answer all of them.

An Overview of Salmon Bones

Salmon bones come in many sizes, from tiny delicate bones in fillets to larger backbones. They are brittle and prone to splintering, especially when cooked. Here’s a quick rundown on salmon bone characteristics:

• Contain calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals
• Can splinter into sharp fragments
• Are small and pose choking hazard
• Can cause obstructions and damage if swallowed
• Raw bones may contain bacteria like salmonella

Salmon bones may be good for dogs in some ways, but they also pose a lot of health risks.

Dangers of Dogs Eating Salmon Bones

Despite their appeal to dogs salmon bones can cause several health issues

• Choking hazard – Due to their small size, salmon bones can easily get lodged in dogs’ throats, causing choking, gagging, or trouble breathing.

• Digestive tract damage – Sharp salmon bone fragments can pierce or lacerate the esophagus, stomach, or intestines

• Intestinal blockage – Swallowed bones may not pass smoothly through the intestines and can cause a total obstruction, This is a medical emergency

• Toxicity from raw bones – Raw salmon bones may contain salmonella bacteria which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress.

• Dental damage – Hard fragments can crack teeth or get stuck in the gums.

These risks are serious and require either an emergency vet visit or surgery to resolve. Preventing dogs from eating salmon bones in the first place is crucial.

Are Cooked Salmon Bones Safer?

Many pet owners wonder if cooking the salmon bones makes them less hazardous for dogs. The answer is no—cooked salmon bones splinter into sharp pieces that can still lodge in the throat or penetrate the gastrointestinal tract.

In fact, the brittle nature of cooked salmon bones makes them even more likely to splinter. Whether raw or cooked, you should never purposefully feed salmon bones to dogs.

Signs of Trouble After Eating Salmon Bones

If your dog accidentally eats a salmon bone, be vigilant for any of these signs of distress or injury:

• Coughing, gagging, retching
• Drooling excessively
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may contain blood)
• Abdominal pain, distension
• Constipation, straining
• Whining, restlessness, discomfort

If you observe any of these symptoms, call your vet right away for guidance. Timely treatment is essential for the best outcome.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Salmon Bone

If your dog ate a salmon bone within the last 2 hours, you may be able to retrieve it before it reaches the stomach.

Try the following under your vet’s supervision:

• Inspect the throat and mouth for any lodged bone.
• Offer small amounts of bread to encourage chewing and dislodge the bone.
• Check the dog’s stools over the next 5 days for any bone fragments.

If a salmon bone has already passed into your dog’s stomach tract, immediately call your vet. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by your vet, as this can cause further damage.

Your vet will provide recommendations tailored to your dog’s specific situation on next steps, which may include:

• X-rays to locate bone fragments
• IV fluids to prevent dehydration
• Endoscopy to retrieve bones lodged internally
• Surgery to remove obstructions or repair damage
• Medications for pain relief and gastrointestinal health

Preventing Salmon Bones Risks

An ounce of prevention is absolutely key when it comes to the dangers of dogs eating salmon bones. Here are some tips:

• Never purposefully feed salmon bones to your dog—not even as an occasional treat.

• Carefully inspect any salmon meat, even fillets, for tiny bones and remove them.

• Avoid giving dogs raw salmon scraps from your own meals.

• If feeding canned salmon, choose boneless, skinless varieties.

• Supervise your dog when eating any fish to prevent choking.

• Opt for commercial dog foods or treats containing salmon but no bones.

Salmon Bones vs. Other Bone Risks for Dogs

All bones, especially from fish, pose risks. But salmon bones seem to be particularly tricky based on their size, shape, and tendency to splinter.

Some key differences between salmon and other animal bones:

• Beef or lamb bones are denser than fish bones.
• Larger mammal bones are less likely to cause choking.
• Weight-bearing bones like femurs don’t fragment as easily.
• Edible raw bones are less prone to splintering.

So while no bones are completely safe, beef and lamb bones that are proportionate to your dog’s size may carry lower risks if properly prepared and supervised.

Healthy Alternatives to Salmon Bones

The good news is there are plenty of bone-free ways to provide your dog with salmon’s nutritional benefits:

• Canned salmon (boneless)
• Cooked salmon fillets (inspect for bones)
• Salmon oil supplements
• Commercial dog foods/treats with salmon
• Carrots, broccoli, peas for omega-3s

Talk to your vet about the safest salmon options for your unique dog. With some care, you can let your dog enjoy salmon without putting them at risk.

The Bottom Line

Can dogs have salmon bones? Our comprehensive guide gives a firm NO—salmon bones are simply too hazardous and provide minimal nutritional value. While prevention is best, promptly contacting your vet is crucial if your dog accidentally swallows a salmon bone. With care, attentive supervision, and safe alternatives, you can keep your precious pup safe while still letting them savor salmon!

Frequency of Entities:
salmon bones: 32
dogs: 24
bones: 21
dog: 15
cooked: 4
raw: 3
digestive tract: 5
intestines: 2
throat: 4
choking: 5
veterinarian/vet: 7
health: 4
signs: 3
eat/eating: 7
risks: 5
safe: 4
feed/feeding: 5
alternatives: 3
damage: 3
obstruction: 3