MANY of us are guilty of it: giving our pooch a leftover bone from the braai or dinner table. What’s the harm right, it’s a nice treat? Wrong.
Bones can be extremely harmful, even fatal, for dogs and cats.
“We have patients admitted on a monthly basis,” says Alan Perrins, spokesperson for the Western Cape branch of the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa.
“Mainly dogs but also cats, and the number increases over the festive season, with bones getting stuck in their mouths or lodged in their throats. Regrettably, many people feed bones out of ignorance.”
Some like to claim they give their dogs bones because dogs in the wild eat bones. Unfortunately that’s not always wise, says Ingrid de Wet from the Country Animal Clinic in Somerset West.
“I’ve seen many hyenas with terribly broken or worn-down teeth so bones always come with a risk,” she says.
But there are some benefits. “Dogs are chewers and chewing does provide mental stimulation and relieves boredom,” explains Bronwyn Leverton from Pinelands Village Veterinary Clinic in Cape Town.
“Bones – and sometimes the stringy sinews attached – can break off tartar and help clean teeth. They also have some nutritional value and can help relieve teething pain in pups.”
THE DAMAGE BONES CAN CAUSE
Esta historia es de la edición 3 March 2022 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 3 March 2022 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you