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My dog is panting heavily after chewing a smoked bone. Should I worry?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Male | neutered | 5 years and 4 months old | 75 lbs

We gave our dogs new smoked bones from the meat market tonight and my 5 yr old Male boxer (who is overweight but not obese) is panting and breathing heavily now that he has been chewing on it for about an hour. He is acting as if he is over heated from exertion, lying on the linoleum to cool down but he's not hot to the touch anywhere. Should I be concerned or is it probably just the excitement? I don't want to overreact.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 25th, 2019

Cooked bones are never good to give to dogs because they easily splinter in the GI tract causing obstruction and perforation of the intestines. Titus may be in pain from chewing it if he swallowed pieces of it. Keep a close eye on him, and if this keeps happening, take him into a vet right away. Take away the bones from both dogs.
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