I am trying to get motivated to head out to the garage and get started on my eighth and possibly final deer for the season. I often toss my Lab and GSP pieces of rib and flank meat as I go and they have yet to complain about it. In fact, they are more excited about heading out there than I am right now. I have been tempted to let them have a leg bone or some ribs too. The lab I'm sure would make short order of the ribs if given the chance. Does anyone share bones with their dogs? I would think that they would be good for them.
D
Drop em'
Guest
i dont know about deer bones, but the vet told my parents that my dog should be given bones off of the meat we eat because it keeps her mouth in good shape
Full Quiver
New Member
When I was growing up I got a black lab. Used to feed her bones all the time till I started noticing she started loosing weight and wasn't eating very much. Took her to the vet and they eventually found out that a bone had gotten stuck in her intestines and had caused them to role up upon themselves. The vet described it being like you took off a long tube sock by rolling it down you leg. After a $300 surgery and my vet telling me this might no be a good practice, I've never given one to a dog again.
Maybe Shredder could give his thoughts on this.
Maybe Shredder could give his thoughts on this.
Musky Hunter
New Member
Just like everything else, moderation is the key. Bones that the dog can't break off and swollow are better. I wouldn't give them ribs, try a hip.
nannyslayer
New Member
alot of my friends, including myself, feed our dogs deer shoulders, with leg still attached. Never had any medical problems or problems with them chasing deer. But now all my dog does is point deer
. No, really we have never had any problems with the shoulders and leg bones.
M
mikedeer
Guest
I have heard that they are fine as long as you do not cook them, if you cook them then they will become hard and end up splintering inside of the dog.
I never give my lab bones, but he goes absolutley bonkers at skinning time when I give him scraps. Despite his affection for deer meat, he pays no attention whatsoever to deer walking nearby in the yard, so I wouldnt worry about that.
I did give him a boned out pheasant breast when he was younger and he shoved the whole thing in his mouth and bit down. It was a while later that I noticed that it was stuck in his jaws whole, and he was pretty happy to be rid of it when I pried it out. No more bones for that boy...
I did give him a boned out pheasant breast when he was younger and he shoved the whole thing in his mouth and bit down. It was a while later that I noticed that it was stuck in his jaws whole, and he was pretty happy to be rid of it when I pried it out. No more bones for that boy...
THA4
A Few Steps Ahead Of You
somtimes my dog brings me a hip bone with some meat left on it, and we enjoy cleaning it up together....
just kidding
i would guess, the bigger the bone the safer it is to eat for the dogs,
if you monitor them while they eat on it, and take it away when they start breaking the bone apart, id be inclined to say go for it, but keep a close eye on them.....
that coyote and wolf question is a good one Kaare
id like to know the answer also
just kidding
i would guess, the bigger the bone the safer it is to eat for the dogs,
if you monitor them while they eat on it, and take it away when they start breaking the bone apart, id be inclined to say go for it, but keep a close eye on them.....
that coyote and wolf question is a good one Kaare
id like to know the answer also
Thanks for the replies. I ended up just giving them scraps again. My wife would probably freak out anyway if she knew I was giving them bones. My concern here is for the lab, he practically inhales his food and if given a bone wouldn't give up on it until gone. I was thinking that maybe the ribs were small enough that after being chewed up they might be digested. If he got into breaking the leg bones I would take them away at that point. It doesn't seem right to throw all that away without giving them a shot at it and the extra calcium might be good for them.
As several have stated, being around the deer at home hasn't affected their bird hunting. The problem is the time spent deer hunting has reduced their time in the field each fall. If they were pups I would not be introducing deer until they were hot on birds and fully understood their responsibility afield.
Shredder - I take it you would not risk it?
As several have stated, being around the deer at home hasn't affected their bird hunting. The problem is the time spent deer hunting has reduced their time in the field each fall. If they were pups I would not be introducing deer until they were hot on birds and fully understood their responsibility afield.
Shredder - I take it you would not risk it?
timekiller
No, you can't pet him.
Maybe Dr. Shredder can confirm or deny this, but I was told that bones weren't good for dogs because they were abrasive and wore down their teeth. Also, I stay away from giving my dogs raw meat since it isn't a part of their normal diet.
I stopped by the vet today and asked about the deer bones. He said that while he could not recommend bones be fed dogs due to the liability of fragmentation he did say that he gives his dogs bones all the time as it is good for their dental hygeine. When I explained the ribs versus leg bones he suggested staying away from the ribs as they would be more inclined to splintering. I am going to go ahead and give them the rear quarters tonight after boning them out. When the lab starts chompin bone into pieces it will be time to take it away.