“One question I’ve always had was: Should you give your dogs bones? I’ve been told no chicken bones because they break and splinter and can cut your dog’s throat. What about the others, and what would be best? And what about raw bones or raw meat vs cooked?” From Xtina.
EDIT – I had written before not to give your dog any type of raw bone and was kindly corrected by a reader so I am going to post what she wrote here because it is very informative.
The following is from Crystal:
1. Raw bones, which are soft and flexible, are fine to give to dogs, as long as they can be fully consumed (i.e. chewed and eaten). Most dogs can consume bones like chicken and turkey necks/backs/thighs/wings, also things like beef and pork ribs depending on the size of the dog.
Many of us chose to feed our dogs exclusively raw diets, the majority of which consists of raw, meaty bones. Not only is this practice NOT dangerous, it is highly beneficial from a nutritional, behavioural and dental hygiene perspective.
2. NEVER give a dog a weight-bearing raw bone from a large animal (i.e. leg from pig, cow, sheep, lamb, etc.)..these bones cannot be consumed, and can lead to dental wear or worse broken or chipped teeth if the dog is chewing frequently. These types of bones are ok to give occasionally, if they are also MEATY, and then removed after the dog has consumed the meat from them.
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Liz Bradley is a dog lover who lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband,