Can Dogs Eat Ham Bones? What You Need To Know

Dogs and bones are the perfect pair, but can dogs eat ham bones? Keep reading for warnings and safety information.

Many pet owners feel more than happy to save their ham bones in order to share them with their furry friends. But there are some things you should know before you share bones with Fido.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating ham bones.

Can Dogs Eat Leftover Ham Bones

This happens all the time. A well-meaning pet parent cooks something and thinks innocently, “dogs love bones. I bet my dog would love to gnaw on this leftover bone.” And sure enough, their dog greedily munches and chews on the bone, in hog heaven (excuse the pun!).

But this isn’t always a safe thing to do. Even though you might think it’s safe to give your dog bones as a safe way to chew, a cooked ham bone isn’t the best choice.

Pet parents, do not give your dog a cooked ham bone. There are safe options for dogs and this just isn’t one of them.

The size of the bone or how much ham that’s left on it doesn’t matter. It could be dangerous for your dog to nibble on cooked ham bones, even as an occasional treat.

Just like chicken bones, ham bones can splinter, causing obstructions in your dog’s stomach, teeth, mouth, or other parts of its body.

Keep reading this post to learn more about this food item and safer chew options.

Can Dogs Chew Ham Bones

There are risks to giving your dog both cooked and raw ham bones. So, even though dogs can chew ham bones, they really shouldn’t. Cooked ham bones could break off into bone fragments, which could cause stomach upsets or a choking hazard.

Raw bones aren’t softened by the cooking process, but they could have unsafe levels of harmful bacteria. It’s best to keep ham bones away from your dog.

Are Ham Bones Safe For Dogs

No, ham bones are not safe for dogs. Cooked pork bones break off into smaller pieces that could get stuck in your dog’s throat or digestive system.

If you already feed your dog a raw dog food diet, then they will probably be able to handle raw rib bones. You should still watch them closely for any health problems they might get from eating bacteria growing on the bones.

Are Ham Bones Good For Dogs

You might think that giving your dog ham or bones is safe, but it’s not good for them at all. Feeding ham to your dog is not a good idea. It’s very high in sodium and fat, which poses health threats.

Yup, small pieces could get stuck in their internal organs or digestive tract and cause bowel obstruction or internal bleeding. It’s not worth the risk.

Are Ham Bones Bad For Dogs

Yes, ham bones are a bad idea for dogs. Since the bone splinters could get stuck in their digestive system, this is not a good thing to share with them. There are better sources of protein out there for dogs.

Ham bone shards aren’t the only danger. Ham is also not good for pets. In fact, too much ham can lead to inflammation of the pancreas.

Can Dogs Have Cooked Ham Bones

Dogs should not eat cooked ham bones. Cooked bone is soft and can splinter, but that isn’t the only bad thing about them. Cooked ham also has a lot of sodium in it. And dogs that eat too much sodium could get salt poisoning.

Symptoms of salt poisoning are excessive thirst and dehydration. Don’t give your dog salty food.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Ham Bones

Raw bones, while less likely to give your pup splinters, are filled with bacteria that could harm dogs. Raw ham bones could also have a lot of fat on them. Dogs that eat too much fat are at risk of obesity and related health effects (like heart disease).

If your dog is used to eating raw meat, then some raw meat bones might not harm them. Just be careful when you give your dog raw bones because of the risk of a bacterial infection.

Can Dogs Eat Ham Hock Bones

Just like any other kind of ham bone, ham hock bones have splinters that could cause kidney damage. Ham hocks are also often cooked in a lot of salt, so the risk of intestinal obstruction isn’t the only thing bad about them.

Can Dogs Eat Gammon Bones

You should not give your dog gammon bones. Pieces of cooked bones could get stuck in your dog’s throat. It’s better to give your dog bully sticks if they want something to chew.

Can Dogs Eat Ham Shank Bones

No, dogs shouldn’t even eat a small amount of ham shank bones. It has too much fat on it and it also poses the same risk of intestinal obstruction.

Can Dogs Eat Smoked Ham Bones

Ok, so cooked and raw bones are unsafe, but what about smoked? Even if you smoke the bones they are unsafe to share with your dog.

For more information, check out this can dogs eat rib bones post.

Ham Bones For Dogs

There are some ham bone treats that are sold in grocery stores, pet stores, Wal-Mart Target, and online. They are usually femur bones or a serrano ham bone.

I definitely do not recommend them and I would not give them to my dogs. Just because they are marketed as being for dogs doesn’t mean they are safe. It’s like how rawhide is not safe for dogs.

My Dog Ate A Ham Bone

If your furry friend ate a ham bone, watch them closely. If they are really thirsty, give them lots of water. Watch them for signs of choking or stomach ache. If they start acting lethargic, take them to the veterinarian immediately. They will be able to tell if your dog has an obstruction.

Safe Dog Chews

There are a lot of safe dog chews that you can buy. Instead of ham bones, buy bully sticks, fish skin, or chicken feet.

The general rules to remember are that if the bones can splinter, don’t give them to your dog. And never give your dog anything that is cooked in large amounts of salt or unsafe spices.

Even large bones are unsafe for dogs because aggressive chewers can bite off tiny bits, try to eat them, and get pieces of bone stuck.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, ham bones are not the best snack for dogs. There are different kinds of bones that are a better idea for dogs. Even small amounts of ham or a large bone has high fat content and doesn’t have any health benefits for your pup. It’s best to just keep it away from them.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some articles about other meat and protein and whether they are safe or toxic for your dog to eat.

Find even more articles on human food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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