Raw bones

[Yellowsubmarinedreams]

I'm researching the best treats for dogs to help with oral hygiene. Raw bones are repeatedly recommended from what I'm reading and I'm sure I could ask at my local butchers. My dog has never been fed raw before. She has kibble and wet food. Is it dangerous to introduce raw bones as the occasional treat? Is there anything I should know? Thanks

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Raw bones are fine, cooked bones are not. IME raw bones as a treat are massively appreciated.

[ThatLibraryMiss]

Raw bones are great and once you see how enthusiastic she is you might start thinking about raw feeding. Chicken wings are good to start with, as they're easily available and are great for small breeds (my GSD loved them too). If you have a Morrisons nearby they sell meaty beef bones that have loads of meat on them, and their lamb ribs are good too. Pork ribs are OK but tend to be expensive. Don't use big weightbearing bones like the traditional marrow bone because they're really hard and can damage teeth.

If you're feeding raw meaty bones frequently you'll need to factor them in to your dog's food allowance. The rule of thumb is to feed raw at 2 - 2.5% of your dog's ideal body weight per day so if your dog should weigh 10kg and you estimate you're giving her 100g of meat via the bones (chicken wings count as all-meat here, because she'll scrunch up all of them; bigger bones she'll just gnaw the meat off) you'll need to cut down the rest of her food by almost half.

[Wolfiefan]

I feed chicken or duck necks, wings and feet.
Lamb rib is another favourite. My dog is raw fed though.

[Yellowsubmarinedreams]

Thanks everyone is there any risk to suddenly introducing raw bones when she's never had them before?

[MartyrGuacamole]

I have a giant breed dog. He has duck necks, chicken wings, beef bones from the butcher. He is mix fed as we don't currently have enough fridge/freezer space to house his food and ours 😂 make sure you supervise very Carefully to start, also worth making sure any children know not to approach and other pets are kept away. I've found bones to be so high value they can occasionally make dogs a bit possessive - although obviously not all dogs it's best to be careful.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I don't think so. My dogs are fed on kibble most of the time and get the odd bone and now and then butchery trimmings. They're fine.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Also if you have an independent butcher nearby, you'll probably get bones for free. Ours just hands over a plastic bag and lets you rummage out the ones you want.

[Wolfiefan]

Definitely supervise them and do be aware of possible resource guarding.
Raw feeders have to monitor the amount of bone in the dog’s diet to prevent constipation. Just worth being aware.
@MartyrGuacamole I have two wolfhounds. And 4 freezers. For the dogs.

[MartyrGuacamole]

Wolfiefan - we are planning to get a chest freezer and small fridge for defrosting in the garage when life returns to a nearer normal state 😂 he's a St. Bernard so definitely need to upgrade the space a little. 2 wolfhounds? Wow. Beautiful dogs 🙂

[Yellowsubmarinedreams]

Thank you all will ask next time I'm at the butchers!

[Wolfiefan]

@MartyrGuacamole we converted the garage! I even picked up a free fridge freezer off a local FB site!! Good luck.