BARF Chicken Bones for White Teeth

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

I had the ick factor too until I read a lot about raw feeding. Still those first raw pieces.....ick. Seeing the dog's interest though got me over it.

Same here.

Peggy

[LaRogue]

I totally understand. I had one who would get hot spots if she ate any meat based kibble.

That had to be the worst! As frustrated as I was trying to find something, I can only imagine what it would be like to have a dog that couldn't eat any meat. On the bright side, so much more is becoming available now!

One thing to be aware of if you feed indoors. I feed the dogs outside on the patio and they both take chicken out of the bowl and run out into the grass. If you feed inside, make sure the chicken doesn't get carried off an easy-to-disinfect solid floor onto carpet or worse...the furniture. Talk about ick!!!

Once I find the guts to do it, my choice for Pip's dining pleasure is his crate. I thought about the balcony, but dismissed it because of:
A. Cold weather during the winter and, more importantly,
B. An elderly gentleman lives downstairs and likes to sit out on his patio to read and I don't want any of the treat (or it's cooties) dripping down on him!
I've decided that when the time comes, the best option is to take his bedding out and put him in his crate. Saves the carpet, furniture, and I won't have to watch him eat it, but can kind of peek in without really seeing it, to make sure all is going well. When all's done, I can wash and disinfect the crate.

[MyPemCharlie]

Feeding Pip in his crate is a good idea to keep him from roaming with his dinner and it will be easy to spray with disinfectant. As for dribbling on the downstairs neighbor, really Ick!

Charlie got to eat his chicken necks this morning, leisurely the way they're supposed to...leisurely chew. I distracted Desta by holding her chicken neck and having her practice sit and down while Charlie ate. I was trying to hold onto Desta's chicken to try to get her to chew instead of gulp, but she slipped the neck out of my fingers with one tug....and swallowed it whole. Hmmm....that won't clean her teeth now will it? From what I understand, dogs' stomach acid is strong enough to digest small bones like poultry necks, so I guess we'll test that theory and see what comes out the other end.

Next time Desta is getting a chicken necksicle....maybe if it's frozen it will slow her down. Or maybe not.

[LaRogue]

Feeding Pip in his crate is a good idea to keep him from roaming with his dinner and it will be easy to spray with disinfectant.

Pip likes to eat his treats on the carpet. And, I learned the hard way (with a strawberry and little read spots every where!) that he likes to roam with the REALLY special ones!
I found more places than I thought I would, that sell raw parts. Apparently they're very popular and often sell out. Must be a lot of raw feeders in the area!

From what I understand, dogs' stomach acid is strong enough to digest small bones like poultry necks, so I guess we'll test that theory and see what comes out the other end.

I've also heard/read this many times, but with Pip's sensitive stomach, I'm still concerned about how it's going to "come out" and if he will have digestive upset. However, I trust the opinions and experiences of the gocorgi members who have fed raw and am willing to try it, at least once, based on their recommendations.