Last night, I caught Moon—our resident food thief—red-pawed in the kitchen.

Even though we have one of those pedal trash cans, she somehow managed to ninja her way inside and snag herself a midnight snack.

Her target?

Chicken bones.

Cue every dog owner’s worst nightmare.

You’ve probably heard the same warning a hundred times:

• Never feed your dog bones!
• Bones can splinter and cause choking!
• Cooked bones are too brittle and dangerous!

And yes, there’s truth to that—but it’s also led to a big misconception.

Are All Bones Bad for Dogs?

Somewhere along the way, “don’t feed cooked bones” turned into “never feed bones at all.”

And that’s just not true.

Confession: I give Moon chicken bones. Have been for years.

She loves them.

And the more often she eats them, the nicer her teeth look. (And the better her breath smells.)

The trick? Not all bones are created equal.

The Right and Wrong Bones to Feed Your Dog

Avoid cooked pork and beef bones.
These bones are way too hard and can crack your dog’s teeth, especially if they try to chew them into smaller pieces.

Avoid small, brittle chicken bones (like wings or drumsticks).
These can splinter into sharp pieces and cause choking or internal injuries.

Go for raw, soft chicken bones.
Necks, backs, and wingtips from raw chicken are softer and easier to digest. They provide great dental benefits, extra calcium, and dogs love them.

Consider your dog’s breed and chewing habits.

• Short-nosed breeds (like French Bulldogs) struggle with bones and need softer options.
• Large dogs go through bones like a tourist at a seafood buffet.

What About Store-Bought Bone Alternatives?

If you’re not comfortable giving real bones, there are safe alternatives:

• Raw marrow bones (frozen, supervised chewing only)
• Dental chews designed to remove plaque
• Rawhide-free chew toys made from natural ingredients

The bottom line? It’s all about picking the right bone for the right dog.

Speaking of which…

If you’re thinking about bringing home a puppy, it’s important to choose the right breed and breeder from the start.

For help finding the right doggo, and more awesome tips sent to your email (for free), subscribe here:

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And maybe invest in a better trash can while you’re at it.