New dog owners often run to the pet supply store to stock up on all the doggy basics: leash, collar, food, treats, toys and, perhaps bones. But some necessities of pet ownership are not as clear as others. Many pet owners ask should I give my dogs bones?

Tradition, if nothing else, dictates that it is normal behavior for dogs to chew on bones. Some feel there is a health and behavioral benefit, while others maintain that giving bones to your canine companion can be dangerous, and can lead to costly, painful and potentially deadly health problems.

Some experts go so far as to say that good pet owners never allow their dog to have bones. Others say that there is nutritional value in bones and that the risks do not outweigh the benefits. The question that some pet owners would have is whether the “nutritional value” in bones can be found elsewhere in a form that doesn’t carry risk to their pet.

The good news for pet owners worried about the risk of bones, but not wanting to withhold important nutrition from their dog, is that bones actually contain no vitamins. It’s true that bones contain both calcium and phosphorus and, while both are needful to maintain optimum health in your pet, calcium and phosphorus are both found in most dog foods, so bones are not necessary for your dog to get those two nutrients.

Some pet owners think that their pet will not be able to achieve optimum health if bones are withheld from his diet. There is absolutely no research to back up that thinking. And because there are plenty of pet owners who raise happy and very healthy dogs without giving them bones, it seems there is plenty of evidence to the contrary.

Dental health is another area in which some say that bones can be a benefit. As dogs chew on bones, it helps to scrape away plaque and tartar. Many pet owners today are having their pets teeth cleaned professionally. If you don’t, there are other options, such as chews designed to remove plaque and tartar, for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy.

Stating that dogs NEED bones for good health is overstating. On the other hand, the thinking that if you give your dog a bone you are condemning him to die a slow and painful death from a bone sliver that wreaks havoc on his intestines is also a bit over the top. That does happen, but it is rare.

There are some dogs that are allergic to the marrow in the bones. While this affects only a small percentage of dogs, the result can be severe diarrhea and stomach upset. There is also the possibility that a dog will crack or chip his tooth while chewing on a hard bone. This can lead to infection and, of course, is very painful for your pet.

When you consider the millions of dogs that enjoy bones without incident, it’s easy to see that such problems are the exception rather than the rule. Dogs have choked on their food, should you never feed them again? Dogs have broken free from their leashes and been run over. I guess that leaves going for walk out of the question.

Are bones necessary? No. Are they a death sentence for your pet? No. Just use your own judgment when deciding whether to give your dogs bones.

While all bones have the potential to be dangerous, there are some types of bones that are more dangerous than others. For example, chicken bones should never be given to your canine companion. Whether they are raw or cooked, chicken bones are very brittle and thus pose more of a threat to your pet. Similarly, any type of bone that has been cooked stands a better chance of splintering and doing harm to your pet than a raw bone.

If you decide that you want to give your dog an occasional bone as a treat, choose the type of bone carefully and always be in a position to supervise your pet as he enjoys the bone.

It makes sense to offer bones that still have some meat on them. This will give the bones some nutritional value. You should be able to find beef bones that have been sterilized at your local pet supply store.

If you choose not to give your dog bones, but would like to supply him with an alternative as a way to act on his tendency to chew, here are some alternatives.

• Rawhide
  Rawhide, which is made from the skin of a cow, is probably the most common chew thing for dogs, but it is not without its own risks. If the dog swallows a chunk of rawhide it will likely digest in time and not require surgical intervention, but it can make your dog very uncomfortable. When the rawhide is small enough for the dog to swallow, it should be taken away.
• Pig Ears
  Dog love them, but because they are high in fat, they are not the best choice for overweight dogs. Because of their fat content, they should not be given every day, but only as a special treat.
• Pizzle Sticks
  These chew treats are lower in fat than pig ears, but can be more expensive than some other treats. Still, they are long lasting and are a good choice for an occasional treat.

Some pet owners are convinced of the necessity to feed their dog bones, despite the experts who say otherwise. If you insist on giving your dogs natural bones, yet are worried about some of the dangers, consider adding ground bone to his soft food. Most of the risks are removed if the bone is served ground.

Of course, it is up to you as a pet owner to answer the question should I give my dog bones?

Just be sure to study all the facts and talk to your vet. That way the decision you make regarding bones will be one that both you and your pet can live with.