Are cooked bones dangerous?

[ReadingMama]

I grew up in a family that gave dogs scraps from the table--including bones. I know that raw bones are safe to give to dogs and that cooked chicken bones aren't, but what about pork or beef steak bones?

[Magelet]

I've heard that really big beef or pork bones are ok, and I've given them to my dog a couple times, but don't take it just from me.

[ktmeyer]

Not safe. Cooking makes the bones harder, actually harder than the enamel on their teeth. Cooked bones, even the big ones that don't splinter, can cause slab fractures of the dog's teeth. Doesn't happen to every dog, but I'm a vet tech and see it a LOT.

[SophieAnn]

Originally Posted by ktmeyer

Not safe. Cooking makes the bones harder, actually harder than the enamel on their teeth. Cooked bones, even the big ones that don't splinter, can cause slab fractures of the dog's teeth. Doesn't happen to every dog, but I'm a vet tech and see it a LOT.

Our breeder told us this too - said not to ever give cooked bones because they're actually harder than the teeth and they can/will break their teeth. Wasn't sure if it was a dog thing or just a breed thing.

[Ola_]

Nope, no cooked bones ever. That includes "smoked" and "sterilized" bones - these are heat treated as well. As the PP said the hard bones will get very dense and can damage teeth, while the softer bones will get all splintery.

[ReadingMama]

Thank you for answering my question. I, of course, asked this question after giving my dog a pork steak bone... Never again. She kept going outside to go to the bathroom (not normal for her) and threw up a dice-sized cube of bone yesterday afternoon. She's acting fine today and is eating and drinking normally with no more frequent pottying and no more vomiting. Whew!

[MommyDOK]

no cooked beef bones? I've never heard of this. We've always given our dog cooked bones. What do you give your dogs to chew on?

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by MommyDOK

no cooked beef bones? I've never heard of this. We've always given our dog cooked bones. What do you give your dogs to chew on?

Raw bones.

I will say I dont think cooked beef bones will always cause problems, but they are not safe enough for me to be comfortable with.

[Ola_]

Yup, we do raw bones, never cooked. I also stay away from very hard bones, like those leg/marrow bones of cows for example.

We feed a raw diet which includes all kinds of things, but even if you use dry food it's easy enough to give items as a supplement or even to substitute a meal (if your dog puts on weight easily). One easy item is chicken leg quarters, turkey necks are also popular, I'd also suggest pork ribs or riblets. These are easily digestible, dogs tend to love them, and they provide good tooth cleaning.

[koofie]

Ditto the no to cooked bones - my previous dog ended up needing two crowns after I let her have cooked bones (didn't know better). She was fine for the next 10 years of her life (she lived to 18) but I was out some $$$ - it was either that or pull the teeth.

My two current dogs love the raw beef bones we get. They can gnaw on them forever and they don't splinter.

[Arduinna]

Another one that only feeds raw.

[jeninejessica]

Glad to see this question as I wanted to start our dog on raw bones to try to help his teeth, but I'm clueless what to look for. He's an 8lb papillon, but seems to tear anything and everything apart. ie He ate an entire 'bump' off his 15-30lb kong in less than a month. Any suggestions for good sized bones for him? I'm going to ask out butcher, but I'm not sure what to start with.

[MommyDOK]

What about getting sick from raw meat? My friend gave me an article (which I can't find right now) saying that you shouldn't do the barf diet w/ young children in the home bc of the airborne risk of raw foods.

I have a toddler that is still putting everything in his mouth. Raw meat is something I'm very concerned about.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by MommyDOK

What about getting sick from raw meat? My friend gave me an article (which I can't find right now) saying that you shouldn't do the barf diet w/ young children in the home bc of the airborne risk of raw foods.

I have a toddler that is still putting everything in his mouth. Raw meat is something I'm very concerned about.

Airborne? That is the first time I've heard that...

My dogs are fed in their crates, which makes it easy because nothing else gets dirty. The crates should be off-limit to little ones anyway if your dog uses it as their "safe place" but it would also be easy to just close the door when it's not being used to prevent access. I used to have a spray bottle with a 50/50 vinegar/water mixture to spray and wipe the crate bottoms after they ate, but then I relaxed about it and we haven't had issues.

Many people feed outside, but that only works if you have a fenced yard and the weather cooperates. It's a very popular method though. I've even heard of people feeding in their bathtub (because it's easy to spray off after and it's not an area that you normally touch outside of baths/showers).

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by MommyDOK

What about getting sick from raw meat? My friend gave me an article (which I can't find right now) saying that you shouldn't do the barf diet w/ young children in the home bc of the airborne risk of raw foods.

I have a toddler that is still putting everything in his mouth. Raw meat is something I'm very concerned about.

I have NEVER heard that...it really doesnt even make sense...the majority of humans have and prepare raw meat in their homes everday. I would think there would be major press if it was discovered there was an airborne risk of raw meat.

You just feed your dog in a crate or a special area away from the kids (which should be the case regardless of what you are feeding) and clean up after...just like if you were cooking with raw meat.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by MommyDOK

What about getting sick from raw meat? My friend gave me an article (which I can't find right now) saying that you shouldn't do the barf diet w/ young children in the home bc of the airborne risk of raw foods.

I have a toddler that is still putting everything in his mouth. Raw meat is something I'm very concerned about.

First off you don't free feed raw food, like many people do dry. So you have a feeding time, put the food down, they eat it, you can pick up the dish after if you are worried about your children playing with it. But our dogs devour the raw food and lick the dish clean LOL. As far as I'm concerned it's a complete non issue. Do you not buy raw meat and bring it into your home already to cook for your family? Humans have lived around domesticated dogs that hunted and ate raw food for thousands of years and have hunted and processed raw meat for as long. We feed our dogs outside anyway

[MommyDOK]

My toddler LOVES to go in and out of my dog's crate. That is one of his games. So I would not put raw bones in there. If I did feed her outside, I would just be worried that there would be raw juices on her mouth etc and my toddler would pet her and put in his mouth. So something I will have to think about.

[jeninejessica]

I realize that this isn't the question you asked, but I would not allow my toddler to go into the dog's crate. Even if the dog is very good with the children, the crate is still supposed to be their safe place. I just know personally, that's not something I would recommend.

As for the juices, I thikn the dog loves the food enough chances are there wouldn't be anything left over

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by MommyDOK

My toddler LOVES to go in and out of my dog's crate. That is one of his games. So I would not put raw bones in there. If I did feed her outside, I would just be worried that there would be raw juices on her mouth etc and my toddler would pet her and put in his mouth. So something I will have to think about.

Well, you would just wipe down the crate pan or use a towel and pull it up after the dog is done chewing. Just like my toddler loves to help me cook.....if I am perparing meat I just wipe the counter down before he is allowed to play on it again.