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Meat & Fish

Bones (cooked): Safe for Dogs and Cats?

CautionDogs

Cooking makes bones brittle and prone to splintering, creating a serious risk of choking, GI perforation, or obstruction; veterinarians advise against feeding cooked bones of any kind.

Watch for

  • Choking
  • Vomiting
  • Straining or inability to defecate (obstruction)
  • Bloody stool or vomit (possible perforation)
  • Lethargy and abdominal pain requiring emergency evaluation
Full dog guide for bones (cooked)
CautionCats

Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause choking, mouth or throat injury, or intestinal perforation and obstruction in cats.

Watch for

  • Choking
  • Drooling or pawing at the mouth
  • Vomiting
  • Signs of intestinal obstruction such as lethargy and not eating
Full cat guide for bones (cooked)

This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.

Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.