Bones

[Dogbert]

Im going to get Max some bones from the butcher. Which bones are best (beef, lamb, pork, etc)? Ive heard you have to freeze them first to kill certain bacteria and then defrost before you give it - is this correct?

Also, does anyone know if and what preservatives they put on the meat bones they sell in pet shops? They must put something on them as they dont refrigerate them.

[Becky]

I don't worry about freezing, but if you want to kill most the bacteria, I think it's 48hrs?

Anyway,

I've given Maddi marrow bones, lamb shanks, chicken legs, and chicken wings. You can also give turkey legs, chicken backs... the list goes on, but there is a lot you can give.

How big is your dog? That will help you determine what kind of bones to get him/her.

[Dogbert]

He is only 9 weeks, and a lab x border collie, but he looks just like a lab puppy.

[lassie]

hi yer. i use marrow bones. no cooked bones.

[skunkstripe]

I have read on other forums where people say it's dangerous to freeze bones, but I have never had a problem.
Are these bones for your dog to eat, or just chew on?

[Dogbert]

Its for chewing.

[Becky]

You could give him a chicken wing or something to start out on. I give bones for eating and chewing (that way they also do a wonderful job of cleaning the teeth :D ).

I have always given Maddi her bones frozen; I haven't heard it was bad :confused: .


And yes, I second what Lassie said. Never give a cooked bone.

[skunkstripe]

Dogbert I do not remember what size dog you have. Our medium size dogs will consume pork, lamb, and chicken bones. Beef bones from a steak also. THe only bones that they do not consume are the large marrow bones like the ones in their "collection."

[Dogbert]

But didnt everyone always say chicken bones are no good? Or is that just cooked ones? I might try give him a chicken wing and see how he likes it. I will to buy it especially as we dont eat chicken wings. Are they ok to freeze and then defrost too?

Max is a puppy but will be lab sized when he is big. We got him a ham bone from the pet shop today and he loves it.

[3 goldens]

NEVER use cooked bones. When I was in the work area with kayCee when she was getting stitches out from her knee surgery (I am thinking that is what it was) there was a chocolate labe puppy back there that they were working on. Temp was over 107 and he was almost in a coma. I later found out he had tied. Had eaten a pork chop bone, it splitnered and punctured his stomach and peritonitis had set in.

[Dogbert]

So uncooked bones dont splinter?

I got a big bone from the butcher today and have put it in the freezer.

[nancy]

I always give my dogs knuckle bones from the butcher
they are big and there is no chance of the dogs choking
on them. It is also advisable to give a puppy a nylon bone
to chew on when teething.