How Many Ribs Do Dogs Have?

A dog’s ribs are an important piece of their skeletal anatomy. They protect the heart and lungs and give dogs their round body. But how many ribs do dogs have? Read on to answer this and more about dog’s ribs.

How many ribs do dogs have?

Dogs are normally born with 13 pairs of ribs. Nine pairs of ribs are connected to the sternum (called the sternal ribs) and four pairs of ribs are connected by cartilage (asternal ribs) giving a total of 26 ribs.

The rib cage surrounds the dog’s lungs and heart to give these vital organs extra protection. It also gives your dog its rounded shape around its torso.

Floating ribs in dogs

Starting at the ribs closest to the head, the first 9 pairs of ribs are connected directly to the sternum. These are called ‘true ribs.’

The next four pairs of ribs are known as ‘false ribs.’ These kinds of ribs differ from the first nine pairs because they are connected by cartilage, and they don’t connect back to the sternum.

The final pair of ribs is referred to as the ‘floating ribs’ or ‘swimming ribs.’ These ribs do not connect back to the dog’s chest at all, so they appear to be “floating” when looking at an x-ray.

Function of a dog’s rib cage

A dog’s rib cage acts as a protective shield for the heart and lungs.

The sternal ribs connect to the sternum and spine to provide the maximum amount of protection.

The asternal ribs offer protection to the chest, but they also allow for better flexibility. Since they are connected to cartilage instead of the sternum, they can bend and flex much more without breaking.

For dog owners, feeling the dog’s rib cage can be a good indicator of a dog’s weight. If you struggle to feel their rib cage, your dog is likely overweight.

The structure of a dog’s ribs

A dog’s bones are made of a strong, mineralized tissue that provides protection and structure to a dog’s body.

They also function as connecting points for a dog’s muscles. A dog’s chest and abdominal muscles both connect to the rib cage and allow your dog to move as nature intended.

All dog’s ribs, and skeletal anatomy as a whole, are consistent with other breeds. It doesn’t matter if you have a Turkish boz shepherd or a toy poodle. All dog’s have the same amount of ribs.

Comparing a dog’s skeleton to a human’s

Dogs have between 319 and 321 bones in their body while a human only has 206.

Dogs with longer tails tend to have more bones in their body than those with short tails. And of course, humans have no tails (usually)!

Aside from the tail, the additional bones in a dog come from its extra teeth and extra bones in the paws.

Problems in a dog’s ribs

A dog’s ribs are usually one of the most protected bones in a dog’s body, but they can develop several issues. Some of the most common problems in a dog’s ribs include:

Bone cancer

Osteosarcoma, also known as bone cancer, is one of the most common types of cancer a dog can face.

This condition leads to abnormal growth of the immature bone cells. It causes severe pains in the ribs and bones, and it usually spreads throughout the body from there.

Symptoms of bone cancer include:

• Severe pain

• Swelling in the ribs, spine, legs or jaw

• Abnormal growths or lumps

• Loss of appetite

• Labored breathing

• Lethargy or general weakness

• Limping

If you believe your dog may have bone cancer, it is important to get them checked out by a veterinarian as soon as you can.

In addition to the stress of watching your pet in pain, treating bone cancer can be an expensive process. Getting a good pet insurance policy, like Figo for instance, can help with the financial and emotional stress.

Broken ribs

Broken ribs usually happen through blunt trauma to the ribs and body or other traumatic events.

Symptoms of a broken rib in dogs include:

• Limping

• Signs of pain like barking, yelling or having trouble moving

• Aggression when touched

• Redness and swelling around the ribs

If your dog is suffering from rib fractures, take them to the vet clinic right away. If broken badly enough, the ribs could puncture the vital organs they are meant to protect.

Waiting to take them to the vet could result in further harm or even death.

Healing process for a broken rib is usually between 4-8 weeks (largely depending on age).

Conclusion

Dogs have 13 pairs of ribs for a total of 26 ribs. The ribs and rib cage of a dog are an important part of their anatomy. They protect several vital organs and provide structure to the dog’s muscular system in their torso. If you suspect your dog has problems with their ribs or rib cage, be sure to take them to the vet immediately.

Ginger developed a connection to animals at an early age when she wandered onto her family’s ranch at only 4 years old and started feeding the cows by hand. She believes that animals should be cared for and loved, and she loves helping pet owners along the way.