Natural bones to chew on for dogs?

Question

My dobie is allergic to a lot of different meat. She's on a venison formula dog food and is doing wonderful. So this question is about bones. She loves chewing on them and I was wondering if there would be any problems/concerns if I got some deer bones from a friend (who is going hunting this weekend) to let her chew on? Should I roast them in the oven to kill anything that may be in there? They would be extremely fresh, maybe a day old. Or should I leave them raw? The only problem with that would be how messy and stinky it is. She can't eat beef, so don't suggest I go buy some of those, and she already has pig/lamb bones. I just didn't see the point in these being thrown away if they could be used. I would take the femur bone. Any suggestions as to precautions or how to prepare it for her?

Update:

I really don't want suggestions about getting something else, I'd like to know specifically about venison, and I'm in the US, so roo meat/bones isn't an option. Like I said, she already has ham bones and lamb bones.

Kat_the_Rap_lover · Accepted Answer

There would be absolutely nothing wrong with letting her eat deer bones. You do need to keep them raw though as cooked or roasted bones splinter and might rupture her stomach. And freeze them for a couple of weeks.

mtoWCS09 · Answer

Do not cook the bones, if you cook them they will splinter and get caught normally in the dogs intestines causing the dog to die. My vet has always told my family since I was little about this and cautions mainly about turkey and chicken bones. He said dogs are better off without bones since they can get easily stuck in there throats or splinter, but bones do clean there teeth and are healthy for them if they are used to bones.  But then again so does a toothbrush and a treat does just as good!

plava_93 · Answer

As Kat_the_Rap_Lover said above, do NOT cook them in Any way!!!! Cooked bones splinter and might rupture her stomach. Trust me, I feed my dogs raw meat and raw bones and I would Never feed them cooked ones, I've seen first hand the damage it can do. And also, Please be sure to freeze the bones for two weeks.

buk3314 · Answer

I would worry about them splintering in her mouth but if she is good with the lamb I guess it might not be a problem. Personally I would roast them in the oven 200F for maybe an hour or so.   As 180 would kill any bacteria ( & reduce the smell/mess). I would still watch her with them as I have seen what a bone splinter in a dogs mouth can do. You might even be able to get away with boiling them...

Shadow&#39;s Melon · Answer

I've heard that some dogs can handle raw meats, but I personally would "cook" the bone first.  This partly depends on if your dog is used to eating raw meats, too.

Where ever your dog works on a raw bone at, you will likely end up with bacteria in that area of your home... not good for you at least to have that around.  My friend boils bones for her dogs to prepare them, as does the restaurant my mom works at.

think_about_this_gr8_1 · Answer

Go RAW, its natural, its healthier, and the bones are stronger and safer for them to munch on than ones that have been cooked to a brittle state.

goofygirlky · Answer

My friend gives her dog raw hamhocks, and she keeps them in the freezer.  That seems to help with the mess factor.  Check with your vet, he/she could tell you the best and safest way to prep the deer bones.

Biggie · Answer

I would not give my dog any cooked bones at all.
If she is not allegic to kangaroo meat, feed her that.

Anonymous · Answer

That'd be FINE!!! 

***BUT*** DON'T cook em!!! NEVER feed COOKED bones of ANY specie!

Get several,put in freezer & toss the old one & REPLACE it!
duh?

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Natural bones to chew on for dogs?

9 Answers