So I accidentally left a beef rib bone on a plate in an area where my dog could get to it and I came home and realized it was gone. He ate it yesterday around noon but I haven't noticed him needing to poop at all in the past few days. I took him to the park and was not watching him all day but maybe he pooped while we were there.

I didn't think anything of it, but now looking online I realize that it could cause a problem.

What should I do?

Beef rib bones are generally safe for dogs and cats. Chicken bones are really the only bone you should be concerned about. If the dog is not showing distress and having regular movements just keep an eye in him and it should pass no problem. I personally give my dog beef rub and larger pork bones. Always have. Chicken bones on the other hand are small, thin, and brittle. They can get lodged in the throat and cut or choke the animal, but they don't always. I had a rottwiler knock a glass punch bowl of cream cheese fruit dip off the counter and eat every chunck of glass with dip on it. The next morning when I could only find some of the bowl I took her to the vet. They said keep an eye on her but said it would most likely pass. It did. Something similar involving a half eaten bowl happened a couple more times with the same dog with out incident.

[This message has been edited by TxVix (edited 6/27/2012 1:45a).]

Dogs are generally fairly hardy, so I wouldn't worry. We used to give a dog we had beef rib bones all the time. She loved them sometimes she ate them, other times she hid them. Do you think maybe he hid it somehweres?

Agree with both. We occasionally give our dachsies rib bones after dinner. They actually package them for sale as well in stores for dogs. I think your dog is safe.

If it could, your dog would thank you. Dogs eat bones, it's what they have done for thousands of years.
Their digestive system is nothing short of amazing.

Dogs can digest raw bones very easily. However, cooked bones are a different story and more difficult to pass. They also are more brittle and break into sharp pieces during the chewing process, which can cause concern. I personally would never give my dog a cooked bone, too much risk involved for such short satisfaction.

I'd keep an eye on the dog, watch for uncomfortableness, not able to lay down. And if any vomiting or diarrhea happens, I'd head straight for a vet in fear of a blockage. That being said, bones can cause a dog to become constipated for a little while which might be why you haven't seen your dog go yet.

It's possible he just hasn't noticed the dog use the restroom.

thanks for the responses!

I didn't think it was a big deal at the time but I was thinking about it last night and just decided to look it up and everything I read online people were freaking out like it was going to tear open his digestive tract or something so I got a little worried. I too believe dogs are tough and what not, I just wasn't sure if I should be more concerned or not.

He has been his normal self and I think he will be fine. Thanks again.

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However, cooked bones are a different story and more difficult to pass. They also are more brittle and break into sharp pieces during the chewing process, which can cause concern. I personally would never give my dog a cooked bone, too much risk involved for such short satisfaction.

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My two pups are shooting daggers at you right now for suggesting that they shouldn't eat cooked bones.

It probably depends on the sizre of the dog, but over the years we've found that allowing our dogs to have the occasional steak bone doesn't hurt them a bit.

That said, I never let them have poultry bones, as they tend to splinter, but they chew the beef bones into super small fragments.

Size and breed too. We gave our husky/German shepherd/border collie cooked rib bones many a time. But I don't think I'd ever give them to a pom or a pug.

ETA: I've always been told never to let them have chicken bones because they can choke on them. Same with cats. However, I had a cat that would come running every time we brought a cooked chicken home If we left our plate even for a minute he'd jump up and start stripping the chicken from the bone.

[This message has been edited by violiav (edited 6/27/2012 10:47a).]

I realize people give their dogs cooked bones without any issues. They sell smoked bones in the store. I, personally, wouldn't do it because I know my dog. He's a 100lb in shape lab; he loves to chew and does it quite well. I've tried the smoked bones, rawhides, etc and he breaks off large chunks and swallows them whole. The constant worrying about whether he is going to pass it or not just isn't worth it in my opinion so I avoid it all together. He does get to chew on frozen raw beef marrow bones though and does great with those and it entertains him for well over an hour.

To the OP, I'm sure your dog is fine, just keep an eye on him for a few days. It's not so much the digestive process I would worry about with cooked bones, but more so the chewing. With cooked bones you have a greater risk of sharp pieces breaking off, whether beef or chicken, and causing problems.