Treats and chews
How long can a dog have a bone?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A supervised session with a bone should generally stay under 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with the bone then removed, refrigerated if raw, and offered again later rather than left with the dog all day. Bones left out for extended periods can also harbor bacteria, particularly raw ones sitting at room temperature for hours, adding a hygiene concern on top of the physical chewing risks.
Why shorter sessions are safer with bones specifically
Bones tend to wear down or splinter unpredictably compared to more purpose built chews, so a shorter, closely watched session reduces the window in which a piece could break off and be swallowed, compared to leaving a bone accessible for hours where wear happens unobserved.
Storage between sessions
A raw bone that is not finished in one sitting should go into the refrigerator, generally safe for two to three days before it should be discarded, rather than left out where bacteria can multiply, particularly in warm rooms or during summer months.
When to stop offering the same bone entirely
Once a bone has been gnawed down to a small, worn fragment, developed cracks, or been sitting out repeatedly across several sessions without refrigeration, it is time to discard it rather than continue offering the same piece, since both the physical and hygiene risks increase the longer any single bone stays in circulation.
Key takeaways
- Keep supervised bone chewing sessions to around 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
- Refrigerate a raw bone between sessions, generally safe for two to three days.
- Discard a bone once it shows cracks, wears small, or has gone unrefrigerated repeatedly.
- Extended, unsupervised access raises both physical and bacterial hygiene risks.