Do you give your dog bones?

[EmmalinaC]

We have a 6 year old lab/springer cross and have always given him bones occasionally - beef shin, lamb shank etc (always cooked, human leftovers).

I always understood that you should avoid giving pork and chicken bones as they can splinter.

Someone's just brought a pork shoulder into work for Basil and I've tried to Google to find out whether this is safe but have found all sorts of conflicting advice.

Some sites say all cooked bones are unsafe and others say dogs shouldn't be given bones at all!

Just wondered what type of bones, if any, do you allow your dogs?

I would say to be safe dont give it to him if your no sure. If they do splinetr in the tummy or intestines its not good this requires surgery and can be a danger to life. I have had a doberman/rotty cross and a Lurcher I have not fed either of them bones like that they have had chews and treats and bits of human food cooked veg, meat, eggs and youghurt.

I'd never give cooked bones of any type due to the risk of splintering.

I raw feed my dog and she gets raw chicken bones (wings or carcasses) several times a week. Other things raw feeders will give are lamb ribs and chicken necks. I few her raw pork offal with no problems.

Not sure about a whole pork shoulder as weight bearing bones I avoid.

feed her, that should be

I never give my dogs bones. As a vet I have had to deal with the fallout too many times!! Cooked bones are worse because they do splinter. THey can still pass through but can be very painful- I've given several enemas over the years to help dogs get rid of some really sharp shards (ouch!) Also recently had to open up a greyhound to remove bits of a parma ham bone, apparently being sold in a large supermarket chain as a "safe" pet treat- it had impacted in the dogs small intestine and required major surgery. Even with raw bones, I have seen dogs bite off large knuckles which then got stuck, so the safest way is to avoid, I'm afraid

I raw feed my dog and give bones. Chicken wings or small pork ribs, nothing big. I don't think I would give a pork shoulder.

Cooked bones should be avoided.

Crumbs! My MIL once told me that raw feeding (including bones) gives them terrible dog breath, so I have always cooked everything - even bones from the butcher.

No more bons for Basil, I guess. He will be so disappointed!

lol well if you ask a raw feeder they will probably tell you their dog doesn't have bad breath at all. Mine certainly doesn't

Now I come to think of it, Basil's breath is a bit 'doggy' anyway!

No cooked bones of any sort, ever. Ours eat raw bones occasionally, usually brought by my lovely MIL. Although I understand Jooly's views, bone chewing can also help reduce plaque on teeth and is a positive behaviour (dogs find it therapeutic) so on balance we continue to do so occasionally, but understand the reservations of those who do not.

I give my dog raw large beef bones - only in summer when he can enjoy them outside. His breath and teeth are much better when he's having them.

Slight deviation of topic but I'd always thought that dogs shouldn't be given any uncooked pork because it could carry a disease fatal to them - is that out of date info or an old wives' tale?

Grimma do you mean trichinosis?

I'm pretty sure that UK pork is trichinosis free now. I think that is why humans can eat pork pink now these days, so long as it is from the UK. I freeze all my raw meat first anyway for a few weeks which would kill off the parasite anyway.

That sounds like the thing - thanks. Hm, wonder if italian salami and parma ham (cured, not cooked) is ok - he looks so longingly!
But probably not particularly good for him anyway and really a bit expensive for dog treats!

holy hell!

never mind the dog, if you've got parma ham going spare you can post it to me

and I thought I was indulging my dog the other day when I was trying to train her with roast chicken!

Just the fat off DDs slice

Cooked bones are a real no no due to the risk of splintering. Raw bones are much safer, but there is still a small risk. However, there's also a small risk from feeding kibble of either choking or bloat and I think like everything it's about weighing up the pros and cons and deciding what you prefer to do.

I give my dogs raw bones and they love them. They are good for their teeth, mean they have better smelling breath and chewing is also good for dogs as it releases endorphins and relaxes them. I know they can chew other things, but it's just not the same as letting them have a good chew on a raw bone.

OK - so if you do want to give your dog a raw bone - what sort of raw bone is safest?

I suspect that depends to some extent on the size and strength of the dog. We give our dachs big bones, he can chew off the meaty bits, get the marrow out, but not make much impact on the main bone, certainly not swallow it.

His breeder had been giving him raw chicken wings (we got him at 10 months) - we were a little unsure if that was wise though one would imagine she knew what she was doing.