Bones

[gc]

If you feed raw bones after a main meal this will provide the stomach with a protective lining.

what do you mean by 'raw bones'. You mean non-cooked, or plain bones without meat on it?

[Sandie]

Hi George,

Raw bones, as in uncooked bones with meat on  

My two love chicken wings, they crunch the bones until they are all small then chew the meat on the outside.

Never tried lamb ribs, never tried chicken thighs either. Guess I might try them sometime.

Sandie, Aimee and Wesley xx

[suki1964]

Alfie adores his chicken wings, I now feed him one after a light lunch as I found he wasnt wanting dinner.

After a huge search I have managed to track down a good supply of raw bones - mum's local farm shop, so will soon have a freezer full

[gc]

just out of curiousity, is it safe to give raw meat/bones to the dogs?

[Tracey J]

I have been considering making Mollys day and getting her some chicken wings but one thing bothers me.  You see all these adverts about salmonella etc. and washing hands/surfaces/utensils etc after coming into contact with raw chicken, so what about all the areas in the house that the dog trails the tasty wing over (not to mention the dogs own mouth/paws/fur)?  Do you confine them to a crate with it?  Sorry to sound a bit dim about this    

[suki1964]

I wouldnt call it dim. In this house raw chicken is treated as poison - I even have a sperate chopping board for raw chicken.

So it was a worry for me as well, even though I dont make a habit of eating off the floor myself nor do I have kids to worry about, but Alfie solved it by always taking them into the garden to eat. I do follow him out and keep an eye on him as I still have the odd jitter about bones and choking but hes fine with them.

And Im also in the habit of washing my hands before I handle anything Im going to eat or drink from after playing with him as matter of course and so far so good

[Tracey J]

Thanks Caroline

Outside sounds good to me  

[Cob-Web]

I am still at the dithering stage with this one  

I would love to give Molo chicken wings, I know he'd love them, they are good for him etc...but its a big leap....so I'll hover around this post for a few more days I think!

[bluegirl]

HI,
I give raw (uncooked) chicken wings (these do contain some flesh on them and I give raw (uncooked) breast of lamb bones, with these I take off the meat first and give her a strip of 3-4 ribs. If given after a main meal it is considered safer, you have to remember that in the wild these dogs would eat a whole carcass, meat, bones, fur and internal organs so by giving raw bones after a meal you are giving them what they would naturally choose. Bones contain calcium and help clean their teeth, exercise their jaws and stomach muscles. As regards the issue of Salmonella which Tracey voiced concern over, we are dealing with dogs here that have very effective digestive enzymes to deal with alsorts of bugs. They will bury meat in the wild and dig it up days or weeks later and eat it with as much enthusiasm as if fresh!
If you are still worried then perhaps you need to wait. Just remember the bones must be raw, give straight after a main meal to protect the lining of the stomach. You may also choose to coat the bones with a bit of wheatgerm to add as extra protection.

Hope this helps

From Karen    

[PennyB]

My foster cocker Rocky has just had his 1st chicken wing and the delight on his face after it

[suki1964]

Bluegirl said

They will bury meat in the wild and dig it up days or weeks later and eat it with as much enthusiasm as if fresh!

Not only in the wild. My old cocker managed to get hold of a bag of cooked liver that was positivly green and running and promptly scoffed the lot    

He was fine - it was me that was sick  

[bluegirl]

Just be careful with feeding out of date cooked meat ( I understand it was pinched!) but old cooked meat can cause stomach aches and diarrhoea  whereas raw meat only ripens.  

[DIANNE32]

will try chicken wings, was always worried about chicken bones!