HAM BONE?

Question
I am wondering if it is okay for my 3 month old sheltie to chew on a hambone. I gave it to him and he started getting small pieces of the ball joint off of it. I took it away from him. Should i give it back to him or not? thanks

Answer
As much as dogs love real bones, it just isn't worth it.  Anything that comes apart in pieces can be dangerous.  Even without splinter or chunks to choke on, bones are very hard on dogs' teeth.  Some day i am going get a picture on my 13 year old Labs teeth.  She has never had any real bones and her teeth are still in very good shape.  

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made
lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get
them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch
carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.