raw bones ........

how many people give raw bone to there saints and from what age??

cheri

I'd love to give Hannibal raw bones but, to be honest, I lack the confidence!! I'm terrified that he might ingest a splinter and do himself serious harm.

In many ways I think this is nonsense - if one gives large, RAW marrow bones it should be something he would enjoy, would exercise his jaw muscles, help keep his teeth in good condition amd stimulate him - yet I keep hearing vets telling me never to give bones - only hide bones etc.

Come on everyone - convince me that I should take advantage of my lovely butcher's offer of free bones for Han!!!

BeBe

My bernards have caught a few chickens that have wandered in to the garden and eaten them feet beak feathers n all with no problems, and often have bones from the butchers the only thing I will not give them is rawhide as they can easily choke and would not like to see it swelling and fermenting it the belly.

All mine have raw bones, including the teenies.
That nasty white stringy tendon stuff is excellent dental floss for them
Keeps them quiet for hours!!!!

i was told by a friend that it would wear down there teeth leaving a show dog with not so good teeth is a bad idea thats the only reason mine dont get bones

i presume your show and havent worn there teeth down? how often do you give them to the dogs

i have a 6 month old here would you let her have a go?

cheri

Bella is 9 weeks old & has had a gnaw on a bone with no problems
Her mum is 3 & has no signs of worn teeth at all

I NEVER give cooked bones of any kind, they can splinter & get stuck.. doesn't even bear thinking about!

They have raw bones every couple weeks
People who feed the BARF diet would have a better idea of any problems teeth wise as their dogs eat raw meaty bones almost every day...

duh good thinking my friend feeds barf

thanks alot

cheri

Raw bones are GREAT for their cleaning thier teeth. In the wild this is what a dog was intended to eat. Cooked bones can splinter while a raw bone is completely mailable & digestible. Cooked Chicken bones should NEVER be given, but raw is a healthy snack. My guys get little wings and drummies as snacks every now and again. I also get half racks of beef ribs and give them a rib (raw) with meat on as a treat - they will eat the ENTIRE thing not just chew on it so dont be shocked when it disappears. Be careful with marrow bones as a dog that is not used to having them can get diarrhea because the marrow is very rich so you may want to limit it until you see how their specific "constitution" will react to the rich marrow. Also, if your dog is a gulper I would not recommend giving the drummies or wings.

I wish I was brave enough to switch to a raw diet, but I am neither knowledgeable enough about their needs or brave enough to deal with organ meat... eeek.

ok so wwe braved it today

all 5 dogs are out eating a very big bone each! so far so good they are all laying down grinding away and are very happy

have checked teeth after they were eating for a while no bleeding or problems

think it will all be fine until somebody pinches someone elses so keeping a close eye

cheri

Hi Cheri!

What type of bones did you give them - I think I really will have to overcome my fears and treat Hannibal!!

BeBe

All our dogs have raw meaty bones and like Heather, our babies have marrow bones. We are very fortunate that all ours can be given bones together without a cross word!

We show our dogs, but would never stop giving them bones as it gives them such enjoyment and pleasure and as they are pets first and foremost this takes priority. If it wears their teeth down, so be it. However, we have an 11 year old here with perfect big teeth, so not done her much harm LOL

Karen

My lot ADORE their chicken wings that they get as a snack a couple of times a week. We also get the big turkey legs from the supermarkets for the bigger ones, (checkout is a scream when they see 14 turkey leg bones in the basket & nothing else LOL!)

We start babies on chicken wings, turkey necks & the likes when they are about 7/8 weeks old... the skin is a great teeth cleaner. We do however have to watch them as the boys will maybe have a tiff now & again ..... no problems with teeth either, just very happy quiet dogs (albeit they need their legs washed when they are finished!!)

We started giving blob bones after we lost Mo as tbh not sure it would have gone too well

We get him raw cow bones from the butchers and its great for his teeth!

Just a quick one on hide bones, once Mo was chewing on one and i was watching tv when i looked over he was looking at me and he was panting and drooling away with it in his mouth.
I went over and it had unravelled down his throat and i pulled it out like paul daniels with flags from a hat

never again!

Www.ukrmb.co.uk
Have a look on here for more information.
My brother feeds his lab just bones and veg. The dog is well over weight though. That I feel is because of too many wings. Wings are very fatty and should be just a treat I think. Maybe turkey bones maybe better or drumsticks.
There is no denying if dogs were wild, that is what they would eat.
I have to say I am feeding my not so little man The Natural Dog Food but to be frank... His wind is bad.
I have started raising his bowl now so when he eats, he is more upright.
I may have a good look at the website above.

hi richard

hope eli is ok apart from his wind lol

no complaints about wind elsewhere so you got all the luck!

could it be anything else he eats?

give him a kiss from me

cheri

Mine all have raw meaty bones for recreational chewing but I also use raw chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs and even carcasses in their diet. I have been doing this for more than four years and have never had a problem with a bone getting stuck but they MUST be raw. Never, ever feed cooked chicken bone as they splinter easily.
My puppies start to knaw on chicken bones when they are about 10 weeks old.
Teeth are nice and clean. There may be a bit of wear in some cases but nothing drastic.
If I had the time, money and 20 fridge freezers, I would feed a totally raw diet !!

Both of my dogs (one a Saint and one a Newfoundland mix) eat a raw diet and the only problem I've come across is the dog will vomit up a hunk of bone if he swallowed too big a piece. I've not seen any tooth wear, I've never had a dog choke- even when he swallows a 1 lb. chicken quarter whole, and I haven't had any trouble with digestive issues.

OK everyone!!

I'm pleased to report that on the back of everyone's encouragement Hannibal was given a large raw knucklebone last week - and yes, he did loved it!!! He was chewing away for three hours before he mooched off exhausted but most contented!!

I gave him a portion of rice with his evening meal, the rationale being that this usually sorts him out if he is a little loose and the results the following day were quite normal.

So, I intend to give him raw bones from now on!

Thanks to all for your sound common sense advice!!

BeBe

WOO HOO

Dont be alarmed if his Poo is white & or Dry & crumbly for a day .... this is down to the bone that he has digested & is quite normal.

I can also report my dogs are all in love with the butcher!
theyve now had 2 lots of bones poos are white but so are teeth!
very very happy no problems here with broken teeth or runny poo!
however daisy didnt move for a whole day eating a massive bone and spent the evening making up for the lack of movement during the day!
cheri

YEY!!!!! i bet he was one happy camper!