I have heard that some people feed their dog uncooked chicken bones. Is this okay?

Answer 1

Lizard S is 100% correct.

DOGS AND CATS CAN AND SHOULD EAT RAW BONES:
CHICKEN, BEEF, LAMB, ETC!!!!!

-Raw bones are pliable and do not splinter. Cooked bones, chicken or otherwise are what splinter, and should not be given.

-Anything raw, for dogs, is more digestible than cooked. The dog GI tract is meant to digest raw food.

-Dogs, very, very rarely get salmonella or E-coli. Again, their GI tract is different than ours. They have much more HCL in their stomachs than ours, which kills off these bacteria.

-If you're worried about getting sick, handle the food like you were preparing it for yourself (you do wash after handling raw meat?)

-Raw is healthier than cooked because all the nutrients haven't been cooked out.

-Raw bones are an excellent source for calcium. Most dogs don't get enough good calcium because most commercial/processed foods are imbalanced.

-My 5lb chihuahua eats raw chicken necks, thighs, wings, twice per week. He's 9 years old.

Here are some websites:

http://www.auntjeni.com

http://www.drpitcairn.com

Answer 2

For some dogs, yes. For some dogs, no. Uncooked bones (including chicken bones) do not splinter and cause perforated intestines the same way that cooked bones can. However, chicken bones *can* be a choking hazard for larger dogs or dogs who tend to wolf their food down without chewing it. Also, there is a risk of salmonella and other bacterial infections from eating raw food (although I personally don't find the risk for dogs eating raw food to be any greater than the risk for humans eating processed foods...remember the whole spinach fiasco last year? and how many cases of recalled canned or boxed foods have their been this fall?). You should really do some research on your own and after reading all of the arguments then decide if raw chicken bones are appropriate for you and your dog.

Answer 3

I agree with Pampered Parrots and Lizard S. My GSD's get raw chicken drumsticks, turkey necks, etc. every day and have since they were puppies. The key is raw...cooking makes the bones splinter. Their coats are shiny, their teeth are white and they are healthy. A true raw diet IS a lot of work to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.

Now before the naysayers get their panties in a bunch.....if you're uncomfortable with feeding raw chicken then don't. No problem. My vet agrees with it, other vets may not. Do some research. Make you own choice. I was nervous about it at first too, but now see it was a great option for my dogs.

Answer 4

Yes, it's fine to feed your dog uncooked chicken with the bones - chicken wings, necks, etc. I stay away from weight bearing bones but the chicken drumsticks are usually from young birds and easy to eat.

Answer 5

yes ... many people feed their dogs raw chicken with the bones intact

raw chicken wings ... raw chicken necks
raw beef ... raw liver ... raw meat

from what you read and from others that do this say ... it is the cooked bones that are dangerous, not the raw bones, the cooked bones will splinter ... while the raw ones will not ... they remain soft

these are people who feed their dogs raw food commonly known as the BARF diet

which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food

http://www.skansen.com/nutrition/diet.htm

http://www.seefido.com/html/your_pet_and_barf_diets.htm

I cook for my dog and have never wanted to do raw and I would never feel safe giving my dog a bone cooked or raw .. I feel they can choke on it or it would cause a blockage of some sort and I have read much that says that can and has happened ....

I would also worry about bacteria in the meat but from the BARF people say, a dog's digestive system is different than ours so they are not affected by any of that but I ain't buying it ..... but I would imagine it is up to the person on what and how he decides to feed his dog

I believe there is much controversy on the subject

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Dog_And_Chicken_Bones

so I guess it really all comes down to on what you feel comfortable with after researching it and coming to your own decisions on what is best for your dog

Answer 6

I have fed a raw diet to my dogs for 13 years. In all that time, not one of my dogs has had a problem with salmonella, choking, etc., etc. And they have never been to a vet with any illness in their lives. I do wish the people who talk about splinters, etc. would do some research first. My dogs main Raw Meaty Bones are chicken wings. If you're going to feed a raw diet, you *do* have to make sure that the diet is going to be balanced. There are plenty of lists. Do a google, or join my list below.

Answer 7

Never feed your dog cooked bones!!! When a bone is cooked it gets brittle and sharp pieces break off. the dog eats these Sharp peaces and they cut up the inside of the dog. So yes uncooked bones are the best! As far as chicken bones, for a small dog this is fine. Only if the dog can not get his mouth all the way around the bone. I have two 25lb mutts and they eat raw beef and bison marrow bones. They have clean teeth and have never had a dental. Also the marrow has natural gluccosamine and chondroiten (sp) that keep the joints working well.


Edit for the person above me: dogs can not digest rawhide and I have seen many dogs have wads of rawhide removed from their digestive tract with surgery. If you don't want raw bones please get dried beef tendons.

Also chicken from the store is handled to be cooked. Get your meat and bones from a natural pet food store or butcher. This is handled less and is safer. My dogs eat raw chicken, beef, bison and cod every day with urban wolf pre-mix. my male stopped throwing up (he could not handle processed food and corn). Its not for everyone but it worked well for us!!!

Answer 8

Raw chicken necks and backs are a mainstay of many dogs being fed raw. The bones are small enough and soft enough for the dogs to chew up and swallow. I've fed my dogs raw chicken necks for years and never had a problem with salmonella or any of the other things people warn about.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Check out the BARF diet for more info

Answer 9

personally I dont feed my own dogs uncooked chicken bones but the wildlife park down the road feed their dingos chicken carcasses a couple of times a week

Answer 10

Well, probbaly not because the dog can get sick. For example if the owner fed the dog uncooked chicken bones then the dog would get sick. But if it's a dog food from a store the dog wouldn't get sick because the people who made it would cook it just a little bit, so the dog won't get sick.