Simply put, dogs need their bones. Bones are foundational to a dog’s body, providing important functions like movement, protection of internal organs, and red blood cell production. But how many bones does a dog have? And how does a dog’s skeletal system differ from a human’s?
We will give you the full rundown of dog bones and share some tips for keeping your dog’s bones healthy and strong.
How Many Bones Does a Dog Have?
Dogs have approximately 319 bones. However, this number can change based on the number of bones in a dog’s tail, which ranges from as few as 6 to as many as 23.
Breeds with longer tails, like Labrador Retrievers, have more bones than Dobermans, whose tails may be docked (shortened) in puppyhood for various reasons, including aesthetics.
Dog Bones Vs. Human Bones: Similarities and Differences
Like other aspects of human and dog health, human and dog bones have similarities and differences. Dogs and humans share the same bone types, which we’ll describe in more detail in the next section.
Here are some interesting differences between human bones and dog bones:
- Humans have fewer bones than dogs. Humans have 206 bones compared to approximately 319 in dogs.
- A dog’s bones are denser than a human’s bones.
- Compared to a dog’s skull, the human skull is larger to hold a larger brain and sits vertically rather than horizontally.
- A dog’s spine does not have the natural curve that the human spine does.
Dog Skeletal Anatomy: A Breakdown of Bones in a Dog’s Body
Canine skeletal anatomy can become detailed and technical, so we’ll provide the highlights to give you a basic understanding of the skeletal system of a dog.
A dog’s skeletal system is composed of three parts:
- Appendicular (front and hindlimbs)
- Axial (skull, ribs, spine, sternum)
- Visceral (e.g., middle ear bones)
The bones of a dog are classified according to their shape and include:
- Long bones: limb bones, such as the femur
- Short bones: cube-shaped bones in the wrist and ankle
- Flat bones: pelvic and skull bones
- Sesamoid bones: small bones within a muscle or tendon
- Irregular bones: includes the vertebrae
The bone itself contains several layers:
- Periosteum: The fibrous outer membrane that covers the bone and contains capillaries, small blood vessels that provide nutrients to the bone.
- Cortical bone: The firm, dense, and white outer bone layer responsible for most weight bearing.
- Cancellous bone: The inner, spongy layer that looks like a honeycomb and is mainly responsible for bone strength.
- Medullary cavity: The hollow center of the bone that contains bone marrow, which produces red and white blood cells.
Now, let’s dive deeper into a dog’s bones, according to their location:
Head and Neck Bones
A dog’s skull contains many bones, including the frontal and parietal bones. Skull bones protect the brain and eyes.
Dog breeds can be classified according to their skull shape. Dolichocephalic breeds, like Greyhounds and Whippets, have elongated skulls. Brachycephalic breeds, like Bulldogs, have short and compressed skulls and are affectionately known as ‘smoosh-faced’ breeds.
The neck contains the seven cervical vertebrae that comprise the top part of a dog’s spine. These vertebrae support and protect the head and spine.
Dog Leg and Paw Bones
Dog leg anatomy comprises a dog’s front legs, back legs and paws.
From top to bottom, a dog’s front limbs contain the scapula (shoulder bone), humerus (upper arm bone), and ulna and radius (forearm bones). Below the ulna and radius are the carpals (wrist bones), metacarpals (like human fingers), and phalanges (toe bones).
The hindlimbs contain the pelvis (hip bone), femur (thigh bone), patella (knee bone), tibia, and fibula. Below the tibia and fibula are the tarsals (ankle bones), metatarsals, and phalanges.
Dog paw anatomy reveals a surprising number of bones. The front paws each have five metacarpals, while the back paws each have four metatarsals. Each of the four paws has 14 phalanges.
Leg bones provide many functions, including limb bending and straightening and paw movement. Paw bones promote movement that helps dogs lift and move their paws in complex ways.
Dog Spine and Ribcage Anatomy
A dog’s spine comprises five major sections of vertebral bones: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal (tail). The vertebrae protect the head, neck, and spinal cord, protect internal organs, facilitate movement, and are responsible for weight bearing.
Each section of the spine has a certain number of vertebrae:
- Cervical: 7
- Thoracic: 13
- Lumbar: 7
- Sacral: 3
- Coccygeal: 6 to 23
Some breeds, such as Dachshunds, are known for their long spines. Unfortunately, Dachshunds are prone to spinal cord diseases like intervertebral disc disease.
The ribcage protects several internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and liver. Each bone of the ribcage connects with a thoracic vertebra.
Dog Tail Bones
If you’ve ever wondered if dog tails have bones, the answer is yes. Tail bones, known as coccygeal vertebrae, are the last section of the spine. They give the tail structure and rigidity and allow a dog to control tail movement in various directions.
Some breeds have no tails because of genetics, while others, such as Dobermans, may have their tails docked at birth. Other breeds, like Golden Retrievers, have long tails.
Because breeds have varying tail lengths for different reasons, the number of tail bones varies widely across breeds. Dogs have between 6 and 23 bones in their tails.
Dog Bone Development
Dog bone development is complex, so we’ll explain just the basics.
Dog bone development begins in puppyhood. A puppy’s long bones contain growth plates at their ends, where bones develop and lengthen. Growth plates are initially flexible, then harden and close when a dog stops growing — usually by 1 year of age.
Because growth plates are so flexible, puppies’ bones are fragile and especially prone to injuries. To prevent injury, puppies should not jump on and off furniture or engage in strenuous exercise.
A proper diet is critical for healthy bone development in puppies. Puppy food is formulated to provide the appropriate balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to ensure that a puppy’s bones develop gradually and are healthy and strong.
Like human bones, dog bones can become brittle with age, increasing the risk of injury. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise helps keep bones strong and healthy in a dog’s senior years.
How Bones Relate to a Dog’s Joint and Muscles
A dog’s bones, joints, and muscles are intricately connected. Dog joints connect two bones. For example, the knee joint connects the femur and tibia, while the elbow joint connects the humerus and forearm bones.
Joints enable rotation according to their type. Hinge joints, such as the knee joint, enable bending and straightening. Ball-and-socket joints, like the hip joint, allow rotation.
A dog’s skeletal muscles are attached to bones via tendons to facilitate movement and maintain posture.
Bone health is vital to maintaining healthy and well-functioning joints and keeping skeletal muscles strong. Without healthy bones, the corresponding muscles and joints will not be able to do their jobs well.
Tips for Supporting Your Dog’s Bone Health
So, how do you keep your dog’s bones healthy? We’re glad you asked! Here are some tips:
Feed your dog a complete and balanced diet. Diet is crucial to bone health. Feed your dog a diet appropriate for their life stage: puppy, adult, and senior. These diets are formulated to provide bone-supporting nutrients in the right proportions at each stage of life.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts pressure on the joints, leading to discomfort. Feed your dog the recommended daily amount of food and provide your dog with daily physical activity.
Consider supplements. A joint health supplement, such as PetLab Co.’s Joint Care Chews, will contain ingredients like glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, and omega-3 fatty acids that promote bone and joint health. Talk with your veterinarian about whether a joint health supplement would be appropriate for your dog.
Take your dog for wellness visits. Wellness visits with your veterinarian are vital in assessing your dog’s overall health. During these visits, your vet will evaluate your dog’s bone health, which can help detect potential bone or joint problems early.
