I have a power chewing Dobie. Is it OK to give them raw bones?

Question

My Doberman "Rocco" is such a power chewer that he has literally chewed a Kong to pieces. Yes, the extra tough kind! We don't give him anything but raw bones now because naturally they don't come apart ever.
I was just wondering if anyone knows if this would ever be bad for him b/c of bacteria..etc.
It just seems natural to me that this is what they eat anyway. He loves them too and they are cheap!

Answer 1

Raw marrow and knuckle bones are perfect! i've given them to my dog for the past two years and had no problems. he loves em. i always freeze mine before i give them to him so it takes longer to get the marrow and meat off. also, when they empty the marrow out you can clean them out, stuff them with canned food and freeze them again. it's like an all natural kong! i get the bones right in the meat department of the supermarket. when it comes to bacteria concerns, i think dogs have a different digestive system so the bacteria in raw meat that might make a human sick doesn't affect them. just make sure the bones are fresh and chuck them after a day or so. one warning, the marrow is very rich, so the first time you might notice loose stools. nothing to worry about though, it goes away after they get used to it.

Answer 2

Yes. Go to your butcher and get fresh beef bones. Never under any circumstances give him chicken bones of any sort. You can also get those huge rawhide chews at the pet food store or online.

I'm sure some other readers will chastise me for this--but I have a wolfdog so I know what you're going through. About once a week I'll toss a 2' section of untreated 2X4 into the yard. He loves to destroy it.

Answer 3

Yes, raw beef marrow bones are great for chewers and clean their teeth, as well as keeping them busy. I have the bones cut into sections and freeze them. they last longer and they're a cool treat on a hot day.

Answer 4

I'd get a product called GALILEO BONE from NYLABONE (you can get it in large and wolf size),

It is as strong as a bone (maybe stronger) in that it won't splinter likea bone, tastes like chicken, cleans dogs teeth, DOES NOT SPLINTER, and DOES NOT CAUSE GASTROENTERITIS. I don't think the fracture teeth like bones can as they gradually 'shave-off' like a nylabone but have a higher compression strength than bone.

The problem with bones is that there is a risk that they:
1. Can splinter (damaging digestive tract and organs - expensive surgery);
2. Cause gastroenteritis if not treated or kept properly;
3. Can fracture dogs teeth (very expensive, have seen it happen).

Answer 5

The pros and cons for REAL bones........
Mine is a con..........
I don't believe in giving dogs real bones unless they are the size of a leg bone...small bones a become stuck in the digestive tract causing locked bowls or internal bleeding from sharp pieces.

>>>>>>>>>Please Read the link below to better understand the pros and cons and then make your decision.........GOOD LUCK!
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.........EXCERPTS FROM LINK BELOW......

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/wolfexrep.html
Question: What is your view on the topic of feeding raw bones to dogs?
Thanks,
T J Dunn DVM

Answer: Dear Dr. Dunn, thanks for the question. I just came back from a
large pet products show where dozens of little companies are peddling every
cut of bone imaginable. They were coated, colored, treated, blanched and
raw bones everywhere. Frankly, I am not an advocate of feeding bones to
dogs because of the potential for splintering.

Answer 6

Yeah, the marrow is good for him, but I would not make a regular habit of it. Give it to him on special occasions.