Today the FDA issued a warning concerning certain store-bought dog bone treats. Even though most people are aware not to feed their dog cooked bones, many pet parents don’t know about are the dangers associated with commercial brand of bone treats described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones.” You know the ones.

The FDA became involved because a number of consumers reported that their dogs either became ill after being fed one of those type of dog treats or they died as a result of complications of ingesting them. The reports, sent in by pet owners and veterinarians, involved about 90 dogs (some reports included more than one dog). Sadly, approximately fifteen dogs died after eating one of these bone treats.

Some of the reports included product problems, such as moldy-appearing bones, or bone treats splintering when chewed by their dog.

The FDA warning states that they have received about 68 reports of pet illnesses related to the commercial bone treats, which differ from uncooked butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. The products the FDA is concerned about are the products that may be dried through a smoking process or by baking, and may contain other ingredients such as preservatives, seasonings, and smoke flavorings.

According to the FDA, the illnesses reported by owners and veterinarians in dogs that have eaten bone treats have included:

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/or

Death.

To find out more about today’s FDA warning and how to report a problem with a pet food or treat, please visit FDA’s Web page on “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.”

Related articles on Poisoned Pets about these dangerous dog bones:

Dangerous Real Ham Bone Dog Treats Warning Label Promise Never Kept; Dogs Continue to Die

Senator calls for action on dangerous dog bones, asks pet parents to contact her directly

Deadly dog bones hit with class action; Real Ham Bones splinter, killing dogs

Dangerous dog bones cause illness and death of dogs, BBB and FDA issue stern warnings

Real Ham Bones: A really, really bad dog treat

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