Bones

[Cat]

I have recently started giving my dog marrow bones. I usually have to take them away before he has finished with them because he breaks bits off and I am afraid he will choke on them. Someone told me yesterday that their dog breaks parts off, crunches them up and eats them. I just wanted to know if this is normal and am I just overeacting?

[puggy_puggy]

You should give your dog bones that are soft enough for him to fully consume otherwise your dogs diet will be out of whack.

Your dog needs both the calcium (bone) and phosperous (meat) in the right proportions. If your dog is only consuming the meat off the bone then he is not getting a balanced ratio.

Non weight bearing bones are best as they are softer then weighbearing. Lamb is a good option.

I feed mainly lamb flaps, and yes the whole rib is consumed, but some dogs find these to fatty.

[~*Shell*~]

Zero finds lamb bones too fatty and will put on weight very quickly with them. I feed beef bones and some kangaroo bones too when i can get them, but kangaroo is a little too rich for some dogs (not Zero!).

[SparkyTansy]

I have read somewhere (probably here!) that if you are going to feed large marrow bones, that they should not be cut in half as it is a lot harder for the dog to break bits off.

I agree though, best to feed softer bones. Kangaroo tails, lamb flaps or chicken wings/frames are a good alternative. Turkey necks are great when you can find them.

[persephone]

Marrow bones are ideal for smaller dogs who can NOT break bits off, and need entertainment, rather than nutritional value

if your dog is a cruncher--- large roo tails and/or WHOLE lamb necks would be a better deal

[TerraNik]

I feed lamb marrow bones and my guys manage to eat the whole bone (takes a few days though!!). Aside from that they get brisket and they get beef tail chopped into pieces.

And of course chicken frames, necks and wings and turkey necks.

[Cat]

Thanks for the replies. I am only giving them to him to keep him entertained when we are not home as he gets everything he needs from his food. I have tried chicken wings before, but they don't last very long and he doesn't seem to really chew them.

[VJB]

I know lots of people who give bones for entertainment when not home, but I personally prefer to supervise. I'd want to be around if anything gets stuck. I am comfortable leaving a stuffed

kong when left alone. If its frozen, it'll last longer too.

[Ravyk]

i feed my dog bones regularly and she's never had a problem [except on one occasion where my b/f's brother thought it would be good to cook the bone for her first-luckily she had no ill effects apart from vomiting up a few bone shards and grass seeds-thank god he's now learnt]

maybe try whole chicken carcasses instead of wings-gives larger dogs more reason to chomp on it, not swallow it.

[Nitro]

Thanks for the replies. I am only giving them to him to keep him entertained when we are not home as he gets everything he needs from his food. I have tried chicken wings before, but they don't last very long and he doesn't seem to really chew them.

Have you tried a treat ball? They can work well at keeping dogs entertained when owners are out.

[Cat]

Yes, but if it is too hard to get the treats out then he just gives up. He also demolished it. I have been freezing food in kongs, but it doesn't last very long. Someone posted an idea about freezing stock into a block for dogs to amuse themselves licking it all day. I thought that was a great idea so i've been doing that, also smearing peanut butter or vegemite on the outside and putting some carrot or treats in it. Instead of licking it though he just bites big chunks off it to get to the good stuff or to just make a big enough hole so he can carry it into the yard and put it in the sun to melt

Edited December 23, 2008 by Cat