Bones unsafe for dogs, FDA says, many alternatives available

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised pet owners that bones are unsafe dog treats, but many alternatives are available, says an article from Tampa Bay Online.
FDA listed 10 reasons supporting their recommendation to stop giving bones to dogs, among which are: bones causing broken teeth, mouth and tongue injuries; bones getting looped around the dog's lower jaw; bones getting stuck in the dog's esophagus, windpipe, stomach or intestines; and bones from people food causing peritonitis, a bacterial infection that causes splinters to poke holes in stomach and intestinal linings.
There are many healthy alternatives to bones, such as the Kong Toy, crunchy treats like Rachel Ray's Nutrish Just 6 line and chews made from pork, called Pork Chomps, or those made from the private parts of male cattle, called Bully Sticks.

FDA: Don’t give bones to dogs

Although most pet owners assume it’s safe to give their pets a bone to chew on, the US Food and Drug Administration recently called it a “dangerous practice” that can cause injuries to pets.
“Bones are unsafe no matter what their size,” said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA. “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.”
The FDA listed 10 reasons to not give a pet a bone, including broken teeth, mouth/tongue injuries, blocked windpipe and infections.
“There are many bone-like products made with materials that are safe for dogs to chew on,” Stamper said.