Curious about beef bones -?

Question

I DO NOT and WILL NOT give my dogs any bones, but I am curious. I have read several things on here and some people say that beef bones are okay to give your dog as long as they are not cooked. EXAMPLE" T-Bone from a steak. What's the difference between cooked or raw? Are cooked bones softer?

Like I said, I DO NOT and WILL NOT give my dogs any bones....rawhides included. This question is strictly for personal knowledge.

Answer 1

Most bones are fine to give a dog including beef bones. This excludes bones that are weight bearing for large animals such as the leg bones. These bones are so hard that dogs will tend to break their teeth on them. Better choices are rib bones or neck bones.
Cooked bones are NOT more tender, they are more brittle and will tend to splinter. This is because cooking or drying the bone removes the collegen in the bone (which is what makes the bone softer and more flexible) and leaves only the calcium behind which is hard and brittle. There is some concern about thinly sliced bones because not only is slicing a bone not natural and gives the bones sharp edges but also the blade cutting the bone creates heat and can cause some loss of collegen from the bone. The extent to which this may affect the bone is variable.
Any other bones from chicken, fish, rabbit, pig or other animals is perfectly fine. All these animals have smaller bones which are easily digestible by a dog.

Bones are an excellent source of calcium for dogs and an excellent way to clean a dog's teeth.
To learn more about bones you may want to try www.rawfed.com

Answer 2

Raw bones are softer and less likely to splinter and shard into dangerously sharp pieces (unless they've been left out in the sun all day, then they are brittle). Raw bones can also be digested in the dogs gut. Bones are necessary to keep the dogs teeth in good condition, so even though there may be a small risk, in my opinion, the benefits are worth it. It is expensive to have dogs teeth removed under anaesthetic and that isn't without risks either.

Dry food doesn't do the same job, it's like us eating something from the bakery (it is the same as dry dog food, a baked good), it builds tartar and contributes to teeth and gum problems.

My family are greyhound breeders and used to breed Australian Silkies and in all that time (over 60 years) there was only one dog we've ever known who had a problem with a bone, it stuck in her upper palate. A pair of pliars took care of that and she was none the worse for wear. She still had bones after that and never had another problem. We don't give small bones anymore though, we use large beef shin bones, they can chew but not chew through them.

Answer 3

I give my dogs raw beef bones...yep, the whole kennel. All 25 of them, and I've been doing it for years.

Prior to cooking, bones are softer and spongier. Cooking leaches structural components from the bone (SC did a better job of explaining that!), and they end up thin and brittle...which is why they are more prone to splintering, and those splinters end up in the stomach.

Try breaking a raw beef rib, versus a cooked one, and you will see what I mean.

I don't believe that ANY bones should be given to a dog without subsequent supervision, and that those bones that develop any sharp edges in the course of chewing should be thrown away.

But I do feed my dogs raw beef bones -- specifically knuckle bones. They clean teeth like nothing else, the dogs love them, and they provide natural nutrition.

Answer 4

Hi Easy Rider!
There is a difference of opinion among canine experts as to whether bones should be given to a dog raw, cooked, hard, or soft, and even whether they should be given at all. On one point, however, there is total agreement, never give a dog splintering bones from chicken, pork, fowl, and rabbit, (although chicken bones that have been cooked in a pressure cooker until they are very soft can be quite nourishing and safe).

A marrow bone is the traditional symbol of a treat for a dog, and he obviously appreciates it. It may be too big and hard for small dogs. In fact, large breeds generally handle bones much better than small ones. Bones that are mostly cartilage, such as spinal and shoulder bones of veal, knuckle bones, and soft rib bones, are good chewing material that can be entirely consumed.

The real danger is intestinal compaction, especially in small dogs, if the masticated bone has not been mixed with other residue in the dog's stomach. A small amount should cause no trouble if it is given right after a meal.Please look article: http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/Bones_For_Your_Dog_-_Delicious_Treat_Or_A_Deadly_Snack/
But a nylon bone offers the same advantages without the risk!
Jason Homan

Answer 5

I've been feeding my dogs raw beef marrow bones for over 40 years, we've never had a problem. I mean the large leg bones, not ribs or anything that can splinter. The marrow bones do not splinter, and the joints are especially good for their teeth, they take a lot of chewing. The marrow is a real treat, and keeps them busy for a long time, trying to extract it.

Raw bones are softer, and wild dogs did not have microwaves!

Answer 6

No you don't feed bones like t-bones, rib bones, etc..these are too small. Raw meaty knuckle bones and beef marrow bones (not the small round ones but the big ones) are perfectly fine for dogs. They are perfectly safe and natural for dogs to chew on. They are good for teeth as well (no dry food does not help clean teeth contrary to popular belief). Bones given to dogs should NEVER be cooked. They should always be fed raw. Cooked bones become brittle and can easily splinter/break and can cause problems.
Raw bones will NOT make a dog sick or cause worms. Again dogs are designed to chew on them and eat the meats and marrow off these bones.It is completely natural for them.

Answer 7

Shin Bones For Dogs

Answer 8

Sorry I disagree with a lot of you, you can give beef bones and I do, we have a blast on rib night in our house, we cook beef ribs the dogs get the bones, they don't crack, break, or splinter in anyway, they keep tartar buildup way down so that we rarely if ever have to have dentals done on our large dogs. They don't have bad breath, and don't grind or wear their teeth down, they love them period. We do not however ever give poultry bones of any kind ever, they do splinter and can perforate the esophogus and intestines. We also buy the raw beef femur bones with all the marrow in them for the same reason, won't crack! My dogs have all had them and had excellent dental and general health. They also love pigs ears. Crushed and pressed rawhide is okay, just not the strips or long peices that are rolled up.

Answer 9

Of course people who eat chicken or beef broth are not vegetarian. Yet. They are probably on their way, however. Most people eliminate meat first, THEN they start reading ingredients. People who eat gelatin and rennet aren't strictly vegetarian either- but I wouldn't challenge a person for calling themselves one. We could literally change the world, if people just quit eating BEEF. I wouldn't want to discourage someone from making a positive change, by focusing on the byproducts. EDIT- Okay, I'm wrong. (just read the question and answer to which you refer.) The people in the link you posted are just ignorant. Hey- does "liquid meat" make anyone else think of the SNL commercial for the "Bassmaster"?

Answer 10

.Cooked bones are harder, more brittle and more splintery than raw bones. They are the ones most likely to be caught in the mouth, to pierce the intestines, to set like concrete in the large bowel, or stick like fish hooks into the rectum. All those events are bad news for dogs. The long and the short of it is…Don't feed cooked bones. They are unnatural and a danger to dogs.