Silly ?? Can I give them steak? Bone and all?

[Chickerdoodle13]

Since your dogs are so large, I don't really think I'd take the chance on a T-Bone. I'm with Cloverleaf on this one...I've seen too many "bone" related emergencies at the vet office where I used to work. I would think weight bearing bones should be fine. The problem with smaller bones like the T-Bone and cooked bones is that they have the tendency to splinter. That's what can cause a lot of damage. Doesn't always happen (As you've seen from other posts) but the last thing you want on Christmas is to rush your dogs to the emergency vet due to internal bleeding from a bone!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
My opinion comes from what I've seen as a tech at an emergency clinic - obviously you can do what you want, but my dogs don't get bones of any kind...just seen too many sick or injured dogs from them...

What about those bigger smoked bones they sell for dog treats at Walmart? Are those dangerous?

 

[gritsar]

Okay sirloin it is. sans bone.

 

[Sueg4332]

It only takes one time the bone going down the wrong way. I agree weigh baring bones I let my chihuahuas have leg bone cut in 1 inch rounds by the butcher It keeps their teeth clean and they love them.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

I have a leg bone I have to take away from my husky x when I find it. It was a leg bone but he has that sucker spliting.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
My opinion comes from what I've seen as a tech at an emergency clinic - obviously you can do what you want, but my dogs don't get bones of any kind...just seen too many sick or injured dogs from them...

What about those bigger smoked bones they sell for dog treats at Walmart? Are those dangerous?

The only bone I'd ever give a dog would be the white sterilized bones pet stores sell. The sterilization process hardens them more, but I'd still watch closely for splintering, and take them away once the dog wears them down small enough.

Also, on a side note...this doesn't apply to the chihuahua since their jaws are so small, but if you give a medium size dog one of the round bones with a hole in the middle, they can get it stuck over their lower jaw, and can break their teeth trying to get them off...

 

[knittychickadee]

I've been feeding raw to my German Shorthaired Pointer for almost 5 years and my rule is no beef bones whatsoever. Cut up beef bones allow them to chew bones they normally couldn't get through on their own, and big bones like knuckle bones are called 'wreck' bones in raw circles for a reason, they can wreck your dogs teeth. Those bones are hard as rocks and a determined chewer can crack a molar on them.

Sterilized bones, rawhide, smoked bones, cooked bones all no. The only non-raw 'chew' I will give mine after copious research is bully sticks.




Gritstar if you want to feed beef go for a pot roast kind of meat. Cheaper than steak so you can feed it more often. It and beef heart are two of my cheap beef staples.

 

[sheila3935]

I dont give my dogs bones of any kind. When I was a teen many moons ago my dad used to give our dog bones. He ended up with an intestinal perforation. We almost lost him. My DD gave hers rawhide and her dog got a blockage cost 1000 dollars to have it removed. Vet told her rawhide does not digest.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

For those who haven't seen it. This is when you need to throw a bone away. The small chunks are what can cause the problems with intestinal perforations. This is a store bought bone that had a filling.

Ignore the dejected look on the my big boy. The puppy thinks they are getting it back but Apollo knows better.

 

[Bossroo]

Hamburger is even cheaper than any type of steak or potroast, and NO chewing required. My dad was a Vet and he always gave our dogs all types of bones with no problems. I worked my way through College working at UCD Vet. Pathology Dept.. In over 5 years of necropsy, I have never came accross any esophogial, stomack, or gut perforation in a dog or cat due to splintered bone. Only one dog that insisted on eating 17 rocks that perforated the stomach, one with 3 jacks that perphorated the gut, and one with a good sized nail through the gut.