[rannmiller]

My dogs love to chew. There is no happier look on Penny's face when she has a bone in her mouth and she's just going to town on it. But RFD keeps saying not to feed bones, only meaty bones. Are bones ok for recreational purposes too? If so, how often?

My mom is getting a freshly butchered, organically grown cow (benefits of living in rural Nevada, I suppose) like she does every year and I asked her to have the butcher save me almost any parts that she doesnt want and that that rancher's other customers don't want, like the tripe, tail, penis, feet, ears, snout, organs, neckbone, and any other bones that were otherwise just going to be thrown away. So now that I've asked for all this (lets hope I get a lot, since I can't normally afford a huge variety for my dogs otherwise), are there parts I shouldn't feed when I get them?

Can I at least give the raw not-so-meaty bones once a week? I'm sure wolves wouldn't turn up their noses to cow bones. But I want what's best for my pooches.

Just curious.

 

[EnglishBullTerriers]

Giving your dog bones is not a bad thing, giving your dog hard bones and cooked bones is not a good thing. I think that what RFD was saying is, don't go to the pet store and buy the femur bones for your dog. Those are the ones that will hurt their teeth to the point of possibly breaking them.
I go to the grocery store and buy the 'soup bones' that have a lot of raw meat on them and give those to my dog as a chew bone. There is also the option of 'buffalo' or 'cow' tails. They are in the meat cooler and they have cartlege, not bone, while still giving the dog the opertunity to chew. Those are a couple of options for you. Good luck!!

 

[TippysMom]

What about the smoked beef ribs (Dentleys Choobles) they are smoked, and have a little meat on them, and the marrow still....

Are they okay?

 

[rannmiller]

I think the problem with the smoked ones is that they splinter too easily and are so hard they can puncture internally if swallowed.

 

[RawFedDogs]

Are bones ok for recreational purposes too? If so, how often?

I have a couple of Nylabones laying around for my dogs to chew on when they feed the need to chew. Thor will always greet me at the door with a Nylabone in his mouth everytime I come it. I think he is wanting me to play with him. :smile:

are there parts I shouldn't feed when I get them?

Feed them all. He is probably not going to eat intestines or bladder but anything else is good.

Can I at least give the raw not-so-meaty bones once a week?

He's your dog. You can feed him what you want to. I wouldn't feed bare bones and I wouldn't feed weight bearing bones from a cow. I know thats not the answer you want. :smile:

 

[RawFedDogs]

Smoked = cooked. Cooked bones = bad to feed.