By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
In Australia, lamb is the classic Sunday roast and the barbecue staple, which means lamb bones are in plenty of kitchen bins. Cooked lamb bones are a hard no for dogs. Leg of lamb bones, shanks and cutlet bones become brittle once cooked and can splinter, wedge in the throat, block the gut or form a hard plug in the bowel. Lamb also tends to be fatty, and a dog that eats the bone often eats the fat and gravy too.
Key takeaways
- Never give cooked lamb bones, including cutlet (chop) bones, shank bones and roast leg bones.
- RSPCA Australia lists "chop" bones such as lamb cutlets among bones to avoid even when raw.
- Fatty lamb scraps and dripping can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis.
- Watch for retching, vomiting, straining, blood in the stool, belly pain and lethargy.
- Related: cooked bones, raw bones, constipation in dogs.
Why cooked lamb bones cause injuries
Heat drives moisture out of bone and leaves it brittle. Lamb cutlet bones and the thin end of a shank are the right size for a medium dog to swallow in one gulp, and once chewed they leave sharp edges. Common problems include:
- A bone wedged across the roof of the mouth between the upper teeth
- A bone stuck in the oesophagus, often just in front of the stomach
- Fragments that pierce the stomach or intestine
- A blockage at the stomach outlet or in the small intestine
- Severe constipation from a large volume of chalky bone fragments
Raw lamb bones: what the guidance says
Raw bones are softer and less likely to splinter, but they are not risk free. RSPCA Australia does not recommend feeding bones at all, citing broken teeth, internal blockages and bacteria. If owners do choose to offer bones, RSPCA Australia advises that they be raw, human grade, introduced gradually and large enough that the dog cannot fit the whole bone in its mouth or swallow it whole, with supervision every time. It specifically advises avoiding chop bones such as lamb cutlets, large hard marrow bones, T-bones, large knuckle bones and bones sawn lengthwise.
Raw lamb flaps (breast with ribs) are sometimes sold as pet food. They are very fatty, and some packaged pet meats contain sulphite preservatives, which RSPCA Australia warns can cause a potentially fatal thiamine deficiency. If you are thinking about raw feeding, discuss it with your vet first rather than relying on butcher or social media advice.
Signs your dog may be in trouble
Signs can start within minutes or take a few days:
- Gagging, retching or repeated swallowing
- Pawing at the mouth or drooling
- Vomiting food or water
- Straining to pass faeces, or passing small hard pale stools
- Fresh blood on the stool or around the bottom
- A tight, sore belly, or standing in a prayer position (front end down, rear end up)
- Lethargy, hiding or refusing food
When it is an emergency
See a vet straight away if your dog is choking, breathing noisily, retching repeatedly, vomiting several times, has a swollen or painful abdomen, collapses or seems suddenly very weak. Dogs that ate a lot of lamb fat as well as bone and then vomit repeatedly or seem painful need prompt assessment for pancreatitis. Do not make your dog vomit at home, as sharp bone can tear the oesophagus on the way back up.
What vets do
Your vet will examine your dog and usually take X-rays, which show most bone fragments clearly. Bones stuck in the mouth are removed under sedation. Bones in the oesophagus are usually retrieved by endoscopy under general anaesthetic. Fragments in the stomach may be watched if your dog is otherwise well. Blockages or perforations need surgery. Dogs with bone constipation often need hospital care with fluids and enemas, and they can be very uncomfortable until it clears.
If your dog just ate a cooked lamb bone
- Remove any remaining bones and food.
- Note the time and roughly how much was eaten.
- Call your vet for advice. A single well-chewed piece in a large dog may be monitored. Several cutlet bones in a small terrier is a different situation.
- Do not give oils, laxatives or home remedies unless your vet recommends them.
- Watch appetite, energy, vomiting and stools closely for at least three days.
Prevention tips for roast night
- Carve with the dog out of the kitchen.
- Bag bones and fat separately and put them straight into an outside bin.
- Ask visitors not to share plates or drop scraps.
- Give your dog a safe long-lasting chew in another room during the meal.
FAQ
Can I give my dog the lamb shank bone after it has been slow cooked?
No. Slow cooking still makes bone brittle, and shank bones can break into sharp pieces or be swallowed in large chunks.
Is a little lamb fat a treat?
Fatty scraps commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea and can trigger pancreatitis in some dogs. Lean, plain cooked meat with no bones, onion or garlic is a safer occasional treat.
My dog vomited a piece of bone and seems fine. Is it over?
Not always. More fragments may remain. Call your vet and watch for further signs.
Are raw lamb necks okay?
Raw bones carry choking, obstruction and bacterial risks. Talk with your vet about whether any bone suits your dog.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has got into roast leftovers or swallowed a lamb bone, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide whether to watch at home or go in now. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. What should I feed my dog?
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal obstruction in small animals.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pancreatitis in dogs and cats.
- Thompson HC, et al. Esophageal foreign bodies in dogs: 34 cases (2004-2009). J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2012;22(2):253-261.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
