Don't throw dogs a bone, FDA says

It's the oldest cliché in the book: Dogs love to chew on bones. But the FDA is warning that this time-honored tradition could be dangerous-and even deadly-for dogs.

“Some people think it's safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast,” says Dr. Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone may make your pet a candidate for a trip to your veterinarian's office later, possible emergency surgery, or even death.”

Here are the biggest risks of giving dogs bones, according to the FDA:

> Broken teeth

> Mouth or tongue injuries

> Bone looped around dog's lower jaw

> Bone stuck in dog's esophagus, windpipe, stomach, or intestines

> Constipation due to bone fragments

> Severe bleeding from the rectum

> Peritonitis

The FDA has also released a client handout about the risks of bones. Click here to download the handout.