By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Every December, Australian vet clinics see the same pattern: the Christmas ham bone goes missing from the bench, and a day or two later a dog arrives vomiting, straining or flat. Pork bones come in many forms, from barbecue ribs and pork chops to roast pork with crackling and the leg bone of a glazed ham. Cooked pork bones are a firm no for dogs. They splinter, they can block the gut, and they usually come with a coating of salt, fat and sticky glaze.
Key takeaways
- Never give cooked pork bones, including ribs, chop bones, roast pork bones and ham bones.
- Ham and crackling add a heavy load of salt and fat, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and pancreatitis.
- Raw bones are debated and not risk free. RSPCA Australia does not recommend bones.
- Signs of a bone problem can appear days after the meal, so keep watching.
- Related: cooked bones, pancreatitis in dogs, foreign bodies.
Why cooked pork bones are dangerous
Cooking makes bone dry and brittle. Pork ribs are thin and flat, and when a dog crunches them they break into sharp slivers. Chop bones are an ideal size to be swallowed whole by a medium dog. The ham leg bone is dense and heavy, and dogs often gnaw the soft ends off and swallow chunks. Possible injuries include:
- Cuts to the gums and tongue, or a bone wedged across the roof of the mouth
- A bone stuck in the oesophagus
- A blockage in the stomach or small intestine
- Perforation of the gut wall, which allows infection to spread through the abdomen
- Severe constipation from compacted bone fragments
The salt, fat and glaze problem
A ham bone is not just bone. Cured ham is very salty, and the rind and fat are rich. Glazes often contain sugar, honey and sometimes onion or garlic. Roast pork crackling is mostly fat and salt. Dogs that eat a large amount of fatty, salty food may vomit, have diarrhoea, drink excessively, and some develop pancreatitis, which can be severe. Miniature Schnauzers and dogs that have had pancreatitis before seem particularly prone.
What about raw pork bones?
Raw bones are softer than cooked ones, but they still carry risks. RSPCA Australia does not recommend feeding bones, because they can break teeth, cause internal blockages and carry bacteria such as Salmonella. Where owners choose to offer bones anyway, RSPCA Australia advises raw, human-grade bones that are large enough the dog cannot fit them wholly in its mouth or swallow them whole, introduced gradually and always supervised. It also lists chop bones and bones sawn lengthwise among those to avoid. Talk to your vet before offering any bone, especially if your dog gulps food or has had gut problems.
Signs to watch for
- Retching, gagging or drooling
- Vomiting, especially vomiting water
- Not wanting to eat, or eating then vomiting
- Straining to pass faeces, or small hard stools
- Diarrhoea or blood in the stool
- A hunched back, a sore belly or reluctance to lie down
- Lethargy or unusual quietness
- Excessive thirst after eating salty ham
When it is an emergency
Go to a vet urgently if your dog is choking or has trouble breathing, retches repeatedly without producing anything, vomits several times, has a swollen or painful abdomen, collapses, has pale gums or seems very weak. Dogs with repeated vomiting after a fatty meal also need to be seen promptly. Do not give anything at home to make your dog vomit. Sharp bone can injure the oesophagus on the way up.
How vets assess and treat pork bone ingestion
Your vet will examine the mouth and abdomen and usually take X-rays. Depending on where the bone is and how your dog is, options include monitoring with repeat X-rays, endoscopic removal from the oesophagus or stomach, or surgery for a blocked or perforated gut. Dogs with pancreatitis or dehydration from vomiting may need hospital care with fluids and supportive treatment. Your vet will tailor the plan to your dog.
If you have just found the ham bone missing
- Check your dog's breathing and mouth first.
- Remove any leftovers and gather the packaging so you know what the glaze contained.
- Phone your vet or nearest emergency clinic for advice.
- Withhold further rich food and keep your dog quiet while you get advice.
- Watch closely for at least three days.
Prevention tips for holidays and barbecues
- Store the ham in the fridge, not on the bench, and keep the bag of bones out of reach.
- Use a bin with a locking lid, or take bones straight to the outside bin.
- Brief visitors and children not to feed scraps.
- Keep dogs out of the area while the barbecue is being cleaned.
- Plan a safe treat or food puzzle so your dog is busy during the meal.
FAQ
Is a small piece of cooked rib bone okay?
There is no safe amount of cooked bone. Some dogs pass small pieces, but some do not, and the outcome cannot be predicted.
My dog ate pork crackling but no bone. Is that a problem?
Crackling is very fatty and salty. It can cause gut upset and sometimes pancreatitis. Call your vet if your dog vomits, has diarrhoea or seems sore.
How long after eating a bone can problems start?
Choking happens immediately, but blockages and constipation can show up one to several days later.
Can I give my dog a pig's ear instead?
Some dogs tolerate them, but they are high in fat and not suitable for every dog. Ask your vet what chews suit your dog.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has helped themselves to the ham bone or barbecue ribs, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you assess the risk and decide on next steps. 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.
- Hayes G. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases. J Small Anim Pract. 2009;50(11):576-583.
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.
