Dog Community

Posted : 10/5/2006 9:01:53 AM

I'm currently giving Scout a smoked hip-joint bone with marrow and dried meat on it (kitchen only) and a bleached knuckle bone for in the kitchen, both of which I ordered from Merrick. I had been told that bleached bones are more likely to crack and splinter, but it seems that its more durable than the smoked bone (or maybe she just chews on the smoked one more voraciously?). I just want to make sure she's getting something safe.

Also, are ANY types of bones OK to leave with dogs unsupervised, and is regular chewing on bones really OK for the teeth of an 8-mo old puppy?

Smoked bones are big NO NO. Not only is the bone now unsafe, but the meat is full of carcinogens from the smoking process. Bleached bones, same thing. Very unsafe.

I start 8 week old puppies on raw bones-- they are excellent for their teeth from day one.
Raw beef knuckle bones are probably your best bet for your power-chewing adolescent dog. They are quite safe and tend to last for some time. The dog will actually consume the soft bone of the joint. You can order from various raw-food stores if you can't find anything suitable in your local grocery stores.

Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 10/5/2006 9:57:51 AM

Thank you for the great info! There's so many options out there for bones, I wasn't sure what to choose. Yesterday in the mail I received an ad for a butcher, so I think I'll have to take a trip down there and see what they have.

Eric Mies

Posted : 10/5/2006 10:59:43 AM

Just as an FYI alisia - I just picked up 8 beef knuckle bones from Market Basket (grocery store in our area) for about $3 - It usually takes her 2-3 days to finsih it so you do the math vs. the bones from the

et store or Merrick..

Isn't merrick the company who manufacure's Frontline or Hartgaurd - seem to remeber seeing their log on the box (could be wrong tho)...

Another question - Presley can't finish one in a sitting so is it ok/safe to wash it off, and freeze until the next day. Also, just what is the meat stuff on the knuckle bones and what benifit does it have for her?

spiritdogs

Posted : 10/5/2006 11:05:07 AM

Also, don't forget the stuffed frozen Kongs. They also provide a diversion and some strong chewing to set those teeth into that jawbone!

Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 10/5/2006 12:05:48 PM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs
Also, don't forget the stuffed frozen Kongs. They also provide a diversion and some strong chewing to set those teeth into that jawbone!

Funny thing about my dog, though, she doesn't chew on her kongs (just everything else). You put something soft in and freeze it (my dog loves a mix of plain yogurt and peanut butter), she sticks her tongue in as far is she can and licks out the stuffing, then gives up once she comes to a spot she can't reach. If treats are inserted, she throws the Kong around trying to get the treats to bounce out. Either way, it keeps her busy for a while, but doesn't do much for that chewing urge.

Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 10/5/2006 12:15:15 PM

ORIGINAL: Presley
Just as an FYI alisia - I just picked up 8 beef knuckle bones from Market Basket (grocery store in our area) for about $3 - It usually takes her 2-3 days to finsih it so you do the math vs. the bones from the et store or Merrick..

Thanks for the FYI! When she's done with the bones I got her I'll take a trip to Market Basket. How do you get the bones? Do you have to go in the back at the meat department, or just ask one of the people on the floor?

Isn't merrick the company who manufacure's Frontline or Hartgaurd - seem to remeber seeing their log on the box (could be wrong tho)...

You might actually be thinking of Merck, who also makes human pharmaceuticals. Merrick makes fancy dog food (the bones might be reasonably priced, but $25 for a 5lb bag of food?... I don't think so!)

Another question - Presley can't finish one in a sitting so is it ok/safe to wash it off, and freeze until the next day. Also, just what is the meat stuff on the knuckle bones and what benifit does it have for her?

Do they have to be frozen between use?? I've just been wrapping them in cellophane and putting them in the closet! But that's the smoked bones, not raw.
I'm guessing the "meat stuff" might actually be meat [

]. Or maybe it's marrow. Whatever's attached to the bone is high in protein, although it might be a bit fatty?

Eric Mies

Posted : 10/5/2006 12:41:41 PM

How do you get the bones? Do you have to go in the back at the meat department, or just ask one of the people on the floor?

I usually find them pre-packaged just like you would see steak. They are usually down the end with the roast or in with the steaks and what not. If you don't see them, ask someone - they may have to run out back and grab them.

Do they have to be frozen between use??

I would think they would but lets see what Glenmar or someone says - all that meat, cartilage or what ever it is sitting around at room temp? Ewwwwww - [:'(] big time Ewwwwww. [:'(]

I'm guessing the "meat stuff" might actually be meat .

I asked of that one LOL

More curious if it's cartilage or tendons - actually I'm not so sure I want to know. Anyway, yea, it would have to be high in protein or something right?

mudpuppy

Posted : 10/5/2006 1:03:40 PM

well, a "knuckle bone" is the joint. It has meat, very good for dogs; it has tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, possibly marrow. All very good for dogs, highly nutritious.
Your DOG will actually prefer it if you leave the bone out-- soon it will develop that lovely "rotting meat" aroma dogs oh so enjoy. For your own comfort, you may indeed wish to store in a cool place.

Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 10/6/2006 9:04:41 AM

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy
Your DOG will actually prefer it if you leave the bone out-- soon it will develop that lovely "rotting meat" aroma dogs oh so enjoy.

Sounds delicous. Scout would probably roll around on it once it started rotting. [

]

Eric Mies

Posted : 10/6/2006 9:17:16 AM

Sounds delicous.

Seriously, I'm glad it;s good for her and what ever makes my dog happy and all that - but I swear I was almost sick last night when she looked up at me with a string of meat or what ever it is going from her mouth to the bone.

She was probably saying thank you daddy I love it so much, but thats just nasty - and why does she want to kiss me after! [:'(]

Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 10/6/2006 10:05:18 AM

ORIGINAL: Presley
Seriously, I'm glad it;s good for her and what ever makes my dog happy and all that - but I swear I was almost sick last night when she looked up at me with a string of meat or what ever it is going from her mouth to the bone.

She was probably saying thank you daddy I love it so much, but thats just nasty - and why does she want to kiss me after! [:'(]

Could be worse... she could be a poop-eater! But in all seriousness, have you found that giving your dog lots of bone-chewing time to be helpful in relieving the destructive chewing behavior?

Eric Mies

Posted : 10/6/2006 10:14:14 AM

Could be worse... she could be a poop-eater! But in all seriousness, have you found that giving your dog lots of bone-chewing time to be helpful in relieving the destructive chewing behavior?

In a word, YES, YES, and YES! But to be honest, I think it's more because she chews on that thing for hours at a time and just gets tired and probably couldn't chew my shoe if she wanted too. We have also been much better about leaving the closet door open (cause, well, frankly I don't feel like cleanign it! LOL [

])

Ohh, and unfortunitly, she is a poo-eater. Or, well, she was - we make sure she has no access to it. I love my baby but [:'(], seriously....

8MO pup started chewing out of no where