FDA Warning Dog Owners About Bone Treats

After several reports of pet illnesses, the FDA is warning dog owners about bone treats.

You may have been thinking about stuffing your pet's stocking with some bone treats for chewing on, but the Food and Drug Administration says think twice.

There have been nearly 70 reports of pet illnesses from 'bone treats', including 15 deaths.

The FDA says a variety of store bought bone treats for dogs—including treats described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones”—were listed in the reports.

The products are all uncooked butcher-type bones that may be dried through a smoking process or baking and could contain seasoning or flavoring...all apparently bad for your dog.

These treats can cause gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract), choking, cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum and even death.

Though none of the treats have been removed from stores, the FDA advises watching your dog with any of the bones you may buy for them (if you decide to buy them at all).