Soup bones

[jakort1]

Well I was going to ask how to cook a soup bone for my dog, but, how about if I just ask how to prepare it? My local grocer has had many beef bones available lately and I'm tempted to buy some for Will. Not really sure what to do with it once I've purchased it. If I was buying it for myself I know how to use it for broth, but, would that be over doing it a bit? I won't just buy it and toss it uncooked for him to slobber on, I want to at least "sterilize" it. Thanks in advance!

[MyPemCharlie]

Cooking changes the molecular structure of bones, so that they will splinter and break. Not safe! The best way to prepare a raw bone for a dog is to take it out of the package and "toss it uncooked for him to slobber on". LOL I would recommend a grassy area in the backyard. Take it away after 30 minutes or so, wrap it and refrigerate it. You can give it to him everyday for several days before tossing it.

I have read that you can sterilized raw meats (if it makes you feel better) by bringing some water up to only as hot as the point where you see the tiny bubbles on the bottom of the pan (just before boiling), then dip the meat in the hot water with tongs for 10-20 seconds only. That article was referring to raw meats, not bones....but I suppose it would still sterilize a bone without changing it too much.

[LaRogue]

My local grocer has had many beef bones available lately and I'm tempted to buy some for Will.

Lucky you! They're hard for me to find at the grocery store. Only one specialty grocer has them on a reliable basis.

The best way to prepare a raw bone for a dog is to take it out of the package and "toss it uncooked for him to slobber on".

Chris is right, cooking it will only make it brittle and more likely to break.

Take it away after 30 minutes or so, wrap it and refrigerate it. You can give it to him everyday for several days before tossing it.

I highly recommend this approach, too. Poor Pip had it coming out both ends, when I gave him a bone and let me have it until he finished. I thought we had "worked up" to that, but no. No problems, after I went back to taking it away after 20-30 minutes.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by jakort1

Well I was going to ask how to cook a soup bone for my dog, but, how about if I just ask how to prepare it? My local grocer has had many beef bones available lately and I'm tempted to buy some for Will. Not really sure what to do with it once I've purchased it. If I was buying it for myself I know how to use it for broth, but, would that be over doing it a bit? I won't just buy it and toss it uncooked for him to slobber on, I want to at least "sterilize" it. Thanks in advance!

Buy the bone, knuckle bones (the joints) or shank bones are the best. Knuckle bones don't have as much readily available marrow and some dogs get the runs from that.

Buy the bone, bring it home, unwrap it and give it to dog. NO cooking involved. Watch dog enjoy bone.

Sterilizing it is cooking it. It doesn't need to be sterilized. Just give it to him. Dogs have shorter digestive tracts and things move through faster so they don't get sick from eating raw meat as we would.

If you must sterilize it then don't buy it. Get him a nylabone or pressed rawhide instead.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Never give a Corgi a cooked bone snd neither raw bones from any animal apart from sheep or beef. The best bones are beef with canon, femur, shin and brisket the best of the best. Briskets should be removed from Corgi when soft. Remove any excess fat beforehand. Scoop marrow from canon and give two-three tablespoons of marrow over several days with usual meaL

[The Colborne's]

Well having raised many dogs IMHO a dog with a bone is a happy dog. Knuckle bones are definitely the best keep the fur kids busy and out of trouble and they always have very clean teeth, or so the vet says.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by The Colborne's

Well having raised many dogs IMHO a dog with a bone is a happy dog. Knuckle bones are definitely the best keep the fur kids busy and out of trouble and they always have very clean teeth, or so the vet says.

That's been my experience too. I've given beef and buffalo bones. (The buffalo was at a dog show and a special treat for Morgan.)

I've also given turkey necks and chicken parts. Raw. They too help to clean teeth and the dogs love them. (Raw chicken and turkey are a mainstay of the raw feeding diet.)

Peggy

[jakort1]

Originally Posted by Peggy

If you must sterilize it then don't buy it. Get him a nylabone or pressed rawhide instead.

Well I decided to buy a Nylabone...the grocer has not had any soup bones since I sent this post LOL! I'll check again, but, I think the tourists are buying them for their dogs.

[P_J]

If only my dad had gotten the same advice BEFORE giving my dog cooked bones... when he was dog sitting Piper he gave her beef ribs that were first boiled, then bbq'd.... extra dry. She swallowed a splintered peice and fractured a molar on each side and had to have them both extracted. That cost a pretty penny... I've just now begun to allow her to have a raw knuckle here and there because I was so paranoid about it!

They usually get bully sticks or dehydrated beef tendons. It's kind of a gross visual for city people... but before I moved to where I live now, I lived on a working ranch. When the guys would hunt, they always cut and package the meat themselves, so the dogs were always sitting front row center for some elk leftovers. One day I didn't realize the men had been out butchering out an elk in the front yard and when I went to find Piper she was standing in the middle of an entire rib cage just gnawing away.... little carnivore!

I've never fed them buffalo... hmm... I'll have to check out the selection at the store the next time I go...

[LogDogMom]

Chief receives a rare soup bone as a treat when the sun is out and he can lay outside and enjoy it. We've never had a problem with any digestion or health issues with him...his teeth are wearing down some, but he's been on a raw diet for many years.

The only problem we have is when he wants to come in with the bone...he'll stand outside looking in at us with this ridiculous bone sticking out of his mouth like a big 'ol stogie!

Oh - a caveat on the soup bone - he is always monitored by one of us while he's gnawing on it...just in case.



(sitting in the middle of a rib cage! Oh, to have seen that! my hubby hunts, and Chief usually gets the venison cube steak -raw of course. He loves it!)