posted 11-17-2003 10:24 AM         

Honeybear

posted 11-17-2003 10:39 AM         

Cooked Pork ribs BIG NO NO!!!! Cooked bones splinter.

***NEVER GIVE DOGS COOKED BONES OF ANY KIND***

posted 11-18-2003 10:25 AM         

I give her something called an N-Bone that I found at PetsMart in the dental section.

I also give her short hollow bones filled with something - liver, peanut butter, lamb, whatever else they have - from PetCo. Trying to get the filling out occupies her for a little while when I am in need of a sanity break. I am in the process of figuring out what I can re-fill them with that won't get all slobbery and messy.

She also chews on a knobby type of bone - I think they might be called Velvet bones? They come in different flavors, and I get them at PetCo as well.

I try to avoid things where the package says to wash your hands after touching it. If it will harm me by being on my hands, do I want my dog to eat it??

I worry about her breaking teeth when she chews. Those N-bones make a horrendous sound. I am torn on what to do about that.

posted 11-18-2003 04:12 PM         

Greenies are a highly nutritious chew treat. Given regularly, Greenies decrease tartar accumulation 788% and freshen breath, with a taste and texture pets love. Greenies are formulated with ingredients to diminish odors and bacteria plus strengthen gums, extending the life of your dog.
Greenies contain no plastic, no inert ingredients, no added preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, no added sodium chloride, and no addeed sugar.

Guaranteed analysis:
Crude Protein not less than 52%
Crude Fat not less than 4%
Crude Fiber not more than 5%
Moisture not more than 12%

Ingredients:
Processed wheat gluten, glycerin, natural flavor, powdered cellulose fiber, monosodium phosphate, monoglycerides of edible fatty acids, magnesium stearate and chlorophyll. Product appearance and color may vary due to natural ingredients. All ingredients are used in human food products.

posted 11-18-2003 04:35 PM         

Usually she just lies down to eat them, but sometimes she carries them around the house looking for somewhere to "bury" them. She will stick them in any small place she can find, and then bark at them when she can't get them back out again. (Sort of counterproductive when I gave it to her to keep her out of my hair in the first place, eh?)

Sometimes she actually digs at the carpet, so we encourage her to "bury" bones in her kennels instead. We have 2 plastic kennels out on the family room - an old, small one with no door, and her current car crate. She will go inside one and you can hear her digging away. Then there's the sound of a bone being dropped, more digging, and she comes out, happy in the knowledge that her bone will not be stolen by....well, some other bone-loving creature in our house. (*whispers* there are none...)

posted 11-19-2003 12:50 AM         

i've been able to find a good type of bone w/ the company called Nature's Variety.
Their actually Dry Roasted Treats, and the specific one is "Beef Shank Filets". NV makes all kinds (5-Raw/1-Raw Variety Pack, & 11-Dry Roasted) of Raw & Dry Roasted Bones, it's basically up to you to choose what you want to go with. I love the variety, but i pretty much just go w/ the Beef Shank Filets. My dogs love them, & it gives them hours of chewing. And, lasts to the point where i'd have to throw it away after a couple of days or so.
I used to get the same type of set-up/bone from Petco, or Petsmart, but they were roasted/cooked differently, deffinatly not as freash and healthy looking (nutrient providing) as NV's. Plus w/ the Petsmart & Petco type, they would finish it in 1 hour. Swallow the bone and everything! They would be able to break down the bone little by little, but NV's type does'nt break down as fast, even after a couple of days going at it.
The NV's type states that it provides additional quality protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, as well as a natural source of glucosamines, chondroitin, collagen, and calcium for healthier joints and connective tissue. Perfect reward for the athletic dog, i'd say. Again, they have all sorts of bones... Natures Variety is a company worth looking into (for nutrition in general)... Check them out.

MAISEY:

posted 11-19-2003 01:27 AM         

You do have to buy bulk, at least 10 at a time, but they're still cheaper than buying from Petco or Petsmart or the like at $5 apiece. I haven't bought any, but plan to after x-mas, when I've got a bit of extra cash.

posted 11-19-2003 01:57 AM         

Thats what i got from that article too. I was going to type what you typed, but i guess i just tried to explain it in different words. Your opinion is the same w/ mine. Ground is the smarter way to go, untill proven otherwise. JMO-too!!

posted 11-19-2003 11:57 AM         

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/bones.html

posted 11-19-2003 01:33 PM         

quote:

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Thanks Goob, good to see you around...what did you do..get a life?
Your girl looks so huggable!

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quote:

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Can you post a pick of her w/ her harness and that light weight drag thing she pulls

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posted 11-19-2003 07:15 PM         

I am another against giving Rawhide. I dislike rawhide and most is processed with lye or other chemicals. Because dogs do not digest rawhide, it can sit in the stomach or intestines and basically mold - causing pathogenic bacteria to grow. I've also seen many dogs gag on sticky rawhide and come close to choking as they break off pieces and attempt to swallow it can also cause an obstruction. Compressed Rawhide might be safer but dogs are still not digesting.

posted 11-20-2003 07:22 AM         

I notice they also sell whole bones (from their website):

"Nature's Variety Prairie Brand Raw Frozen Bones contain meaty ham bones, lamb femur bones, split beef knuckles, turkey necks, and meaty beef femur bones."

Are these okay to give?

My sister said to give Nala frozen bones to chew on, but the vet said they can break their teeth on them. So if I thaw them first, are they okay for her, or are they a choking hazard?

Arrrrgh!

We did have luck with refilling Nala's little hollow bones (meat-filled bones, I think they call them) so we don't have to buy them at whatever outrageous price PetCo charges. My husband made a concoction of peanut butter, oatmeal, and jello and put in in the fridge. It came out nice and solid and non-gooey, so she can use them inside. They don't last her terribly long, but usually it allows me enough peace to get SOMETHING done. I have not noticed the bones splintering or breaking.

I was told by a PetsMart person to make sure the ends of the bone were the "right" size for her - not too small and not too large. Too small and she could get her jaw wedged in them - apparently this girl works at a vet's office and people have brought their dogs in with a bone wedged onto their jaw. So I err on the side of big - Nala goes through them faster, but at least she doesn't get them stuck on her! We get her the short ones because she can't get the stuff out of the middle of a long bone and it is wasted.