Feeding Dogs

[kirstygibbobs]

I have had conflicting information from friends about feeding dogs. Can you actually give dogs animal bones or is it bad for them?

[Buenchico]

Welcome to The Answerbank.

From the website of the (UK) RSPCA:
"Good quality meat can be fed raw, but other meat should be cooked before feeding it. Cooked bones should not be given because they can splinter – sterilized marrow bones available from pet shops are a better option"

From the website of the Australian RSPCA:
"Bones must always be raw
Raw meaty bones such as raw lamb ribs (not lamb chops though), raw lamb flaps and raw chicken wings provide several important health benefits including keeping teeth and gums healthy.

Too many raw bones may lead to constipation. Generally 1-2 raw bones may be offered per week with a few days in between each serving.

The bone must be large enough so that the dog cannot fit the whole bone in its mouth or swallow the bone whole.

Never feed cooked bones as these can splinter and cause internal damage or become an intestinal obstruction.

Always supervise dogs when they are eating raw bones.

Dogs ‘like’ bones very much and sometimes become protective. Do take care and discourage young children and others from approaching dogs that are eating.

Avoid large marrow bones (these have very thick outer rims), T-bones, 'chop' bones e.g. lamb cutlets, large knuckle bones and bones sawn lengthwise (as done by some butchers) as dogs may crack their teeth on these."

[Buenchico]

Also worth a read:
http://www.dogingtonpost.com/give-dog-bone-but-make-sure-its-safe-first/

[viv41]

My family has never, ever fed our dogs bones and never will. They can splinter and cause problems or crack their teeth. Not worth it imo.

[jennyjoan]

Did give Harvey and Maxie a cuppla bones - will never now. Never thought that they could crack their teeth. OMG

[Islay]

My grandfather had working dogs and they got bones everyweek, my mother did the same as do I.

Never had an issue.

[lankeela]

My puppies from three weeks of age to being eIderIy dogs have either cooked knuckIe or marrow bones or raw knuckIe or marrow bones depending on what I can get. They have raw chicken wings once or twice a week or raw chicken carcasses or raw turkey necks but cooked pouItry is a big no no. Some dogs cannot toIerate cooked bones so its a case of triaI and error. Start with raw from your butcher and see how they go. Dogs need bones to keep their teeth cIean and to heIp them empty their anaI gIands naturaIIy.

[viv41]

My dogs have never needed bones to do those things.