This holiday, don’t give the dog a bone

People love their dogs and enjoy giving them a treat whenever possible.

But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned against giving your pooch socalled “bone treats” this holiday season.

The agency has received about 68 reports of pet illnesses related to “bone treats,” which differ from uncooked butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats, according to a release from the FDA.

A variety of commercially available bone treats for dogs — including those described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur

Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones”— were among the culprits in sickening the animals. The products may be dried through a smoking process or by baking, and may contain other ingredients such as preservatives, seasonings, and smoke flavorings.

The illnesses linked to bone treats include gastrointestinal obstruction, choking, cuts and wounds on the mouth or tonsils, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the rectum or even death. The FDA reported 15 dogs died after eating a bone treat.

The reports, sent in by pet owners and veterinarians, involved about 90 dogs (some reports included more than one dog). In addition, the FDA received seven reports of product problems, such as moldy-appearing bones, or bone treats splintering when chewed by the pet.

To report a problem with a pet food or treat, visit FDA’s web page on “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.”

Tracy Morgan / Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned against giving your pooch so-called “bone treats” this holiday season, as they can cause illness or even death.