chuckie500 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I was reading the vet Q&A section of the lastest Dog's Life magazine and it says in one of the answers to a question: "...the American Veterinary Dental Society and specialist gastro-enterologists no longer recommend bones of any kind be fed to dogs becasue fo increasing problems associated with thier feeding, such as fractured teeth, bowel obstructions and perforations, and constipation." Views? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mushiemum Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Being a very new dog owner I don't know whether or not my views are correct but I think it really depends on what kind of bone. My butcher recommends brisket bones as they can be consumed totally and I have been told they are excellent for his digestion, not to mention essential for their teeth. My in laws' Maltese had to have three teeth extracted this week and I am determined to look after my dog's teeth. I also wouldn't consider any bones that splinter and get left lying around, my daughter trod on a discarded dog bone at a friend's house and it lodged deep into her foot, causing huge problems and it's so deep it's still in there and probably will be forever. I bought a big Marrow bone when we first got our Samoyed and Mushka wasn't in the slightest bit interested in it, but he absolutely loves his brisket bones and comsumes them completely and hasn't had any digestive problems at all. I think perhaps that warning has come because people think they can give any kind of bones to dogs and don't realise that's not the case at all. Easier to not have them at all rather than take the trouble to educate people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 (edited) WE have always fed RAW bones...for the 50 years of ( multiple) dog- keeping I remember. Not once have we had a bone-related problem... *touch wood* Our dogs, tho are USED to this, I guess, from 3/4 weeks they get bones, and it is the base of their diet..meat on bones.ALL sorts.. from poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, beef, pig....kangaroo... I am not saying that this is a reason to feed ALL dogs bones.. I believe now, that there are many dogs who cannot properly eat/digest bone. This, along with allergies and food intolerances is part of modern breeding/life... much the same as us humans. Dogs were originally made TO eat their food raw, 'on the bone'.... some are still lucky enough to do so safely :D So... if it works for you and your dog/s DO IT!! Edited October 13, 2007 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I was reading the vet Q&A section of the lastest Dog's Life magazine and it says in one of the answers to a question: "...the American Veterinary Dental Society and specialist gastro-enterologists no longer recommend bones of any kind be fed to dogs becasue fo increasing problems associated with thier feeding, such as fractured teeth, bowel obstructions and perforations, and constipation."Views? Yep, I read it and almost choked. The statements given are just ridiculous... However...in the US (litigation capital of the world), liability is a serious business, as is the sale of processed dog foods. Therefore, it seems most vets denounce natural feeding of our cats and dogs and proffer their preferred-stuff-in-a-bag...usually HSD or Euk/Iams. All of which are rubbish IMO. I prefer to take the advice of Aussie vets who actually care more about our dogs than making money and covering their behinds legally speaking. And that sensible advice includes the regular feeding of Raw Meaty Bones to our dogs and cats. In fact, my dogs are fed a raw, whole foods diet. That is, RMBs, offal, some veg pulp, some sardines, yoghurt, eggs...not all at once but this is their diet over a month. I rotate different foods so they have a balanced diet with everything they need (quality nutrition provided by whole foods served raw) and nothing they don't (no added salt, sugar, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives). I don't even give them 'pet mince' except that sold at Lenards b/c most pet mince contains sulphur dioxide...a nasty preservative that can cause organ damage in people AND dogs. Feed raw meaty bones. The benefits far outweigh any (falsely stated) risks. My dogs are living proof of how sensible a raw foods diet is...and I'm not alone. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamuzz Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Chicken bones seem to be especially contentious. I have been advised by more than one vet to never feed any type of chicken bone, yet many here on DOL regularly feed chicken necks, wings and frames. My GSD boy isn't interested in a bone until it has been stripped of the meat by one of the other dogs. Then he might condescend to chew it for a bit. This seems very strange to me - offer him a lamb shank and he turns his nose up and walks off :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I reckon it's a sad day when you can't give a dog a bone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tiggy Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 That Vet always gives stupid advice in relation to feeding bones and raw feeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckie500 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Share Posted October 13, 2007 Look, "Lillysmum" almost choked reading about this. Imagine what chewing on a bone would do? kidding. i think it depends very much on the type of bone, size of bone cf size of dog, and the eating manner of the dog really. one of mine i nevre give chicken bones to now becasue he gulps his food down. Any bone he gets has to be big so that he just tears meat off it and just chews the ends only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlemum Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I have been breeding Standard Poodles for 20 years - as soon as my puppies have teeth, they get raw chicken wings to chew - dogs are meant to eat bones - most Americans have totally lost the plot as far as feeding dogs is concerned and I wouldn't pay any attention to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonymc Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 None of my Dogs seem to have read that silly article. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogcop Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Well I can't remember where I heard it now but it was the beef bone that was the most dangerous. If it splinters its like a shard of glass. Big bones in butcher shops and super markets that have also been cut down can be very dangerous too. we normally give boogie (saint) big shin bone then take it away before it starts to dry out. chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I try to advocate using common sense with bones. If feeding large shin / shank bones, then feed them with meat on them and take them away when you're just left with bone. The benefit of these bones is the ripping and tearing involved in removing the meat, which helps to "floss" the teeth. The actual bone is generally far harder than a dogs tooth and I see slab fractures of the carnassial teeth quite commonly. I know people split marrow bones in half - but be careful, fragments of semicircular bones are just right for getting wedged between teeth, and marrow is very good at causing gut upsets. Old bones might as well be considered the same as cooked bones in the way that they can splinter. Alternatively feed smaller bones that are edible in their entirety - so necks, chicken frames, wings etc. Make sure they get chewed!! Also watch the bone content of the diet as too high a % and constipation often results. ALWAYS raw bones too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kitakins Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 can the american veterinary dental society then explain to us how we are supposed to care for the teeth? i dont think people want to brush their dogs teeth everyday and if they think kibble will do the job they must be kidding. whats wrong with feeding the right kind of bone in moderation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyB Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 The way I look at feeding my dog (with any type of food - except for her kibbles) is that if it's something she would normally have in the wild and something that their bodies are designed to digest, then it's probably ok. I don't feel entriely comfortable giving Gypsy chicken wings or neck because of all the little bits, although I'm probably just paranoid! I give her turkey necks and big marrow bones from the butcher though and haven't had any trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 can the american veterinary dental society then explain to us how we are supposed to care for the teeth? i dont think people want to brush their dogs teeth everyday and if they think kibble will do the job they must be kidding. whats wrong with feeding the right kind of bone in moderation? The greyhound owners that I know in the USA all brush their dogs' teeth. Some are now feeding raw, but the vast majority feed dry foods and some feed the genuinely super-premium labels such as EP Holistic, California Natural or EVO (both Innova foods, both excellent), Canidae (not available outside continental North America apparently), Timberwolf Organics, and Dick van Patten's Natural Balance Organic Formulas. The rest feed HSD/Iams/Euk b/c their vet says it's the right thing to do. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 can the american veterinary dental society then explain to us how we are supposed to care for the teeth? i dont think people want to brush their dogs teeth everyday and if they think kibble will do the job they must be kidding. whats wrong with feeding the right kind of bone in moderation? Oh yeah! They will advise to come in once a year for a scale and clean under GA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerrierTops Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I agree that many a pet owner has lost the plot entirely when it comes to feeding. They believe everything they're told by advertising and by vet clinics making an almighty good profit on prescription diets and dental work. If starting a dog on raw bones that hasn't had 'em while growing up, I would go cautiously ... sometimes with my guy I hang on to one end of it and make sure he chews it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kitakins Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Oh yeah! They will advise to come in once a year for a scale and clean under GA. yeah thats what i was thinking too. lilysmum, i have this awful picture in my head of copious amounts of saliva mixed with that grotty coloured dog toothpaste dripping everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 My dogs have bones, but there are some risks - bones can splinter or cause an obstruction, get caught between the teeth, in the roof of the mouth, or in the throat. A friend lost a medium sized dog last week - choked on a bone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percyk Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 my dachshund years ago had a problem after eating a bone boy was he in strife ...agony he was literally doubled over in pain ..moaning it was an obstruction caused by the big bone my dad had given him but that doesnt stop me from giving my dogs bones i just dont leave home whilst they have them i give em chicken necks but they really do chew them ...not gobble them and im on hand.... its just one of those risks u have to take really i think...the benefits outweigh the risk and like all here i touch wood and pray that my dogs never have a problem like my lil dachie did.... he was fine btw but it was soooo heartachingly scary to watch him go thru the pain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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