Many of you will be aware that I am a big proponent of feeding Dogs raw meaty bones. Today we have a guest post from Ben on the subject of feeding Dogs meat and bones. I am not saying I agree with all he says, but it will be interesting to hear what you think about this subject.

Many people and wonderful dog owners question everyday whether it is okay to feed your dog meat or not. So we are going to address this little issue head on and let you know what is good, what is bad and what your dog will love. There are pros and cons for each argument so lets jump right in.

Is it okay to feed your dog meat?

The short answer is yes, although it can be a little more complicated than that. Meat is generally not bad for your dog. A dog’s stomach can easily digest meat and in fact it is a great source of vitamins for them. Where you may run into trouble is when you feed your dog meat right off the dinner table.

Humans use spices and all sorts of extras to make their meat taste better. Some of these extra additions may not sit well with your dog, so be sure you are not adding anything harmful to your meat if you plan on dishing it right onto the floor for your dog. You will also want to be careful with the amount of meat you feed your dog, too much meat can mean too much gas build up, which when it comes from a dog, smells worse than rotten eggs.

Is raw meat okay?

Yes raw meat in some cases is actually better for your dog. Now you want to be careful because uncooked chicken can be the cause of salmonella, but raw beef is a wonderful thing.

When you cook meat you actually lose a lot of the vitamins that raw meat contains, and for a dog these can be an important part of their diet. Dogs, or dog relatives in nature are all meat eaters. Coyotes, foxes, Wolves and others all eat meat so feeding your dog the right meat really has little risk.

What should I avoid if I feed my dog meat?

Like I said before uncooked chicken can be dangerous even for humans, so it is best not to let your dog eat it. Even chicken bones are dangerous to a dog’s health as the bones can splinter and get stuck in their throats. Any meat that has extra things like spices added on is best to avoid. Most dogs can handle spices just fine, but there are some that have the potential to upset your dogs stomach or make them sick.

What do dogs like best?

Typically the best is beef, and if you really want to give your dog a treat give them some beef on a bone. They will dig into that like a 7 year old who awoke to their favorite toy on Christmas morning.

Everyone knows how much dogs love bones and if you add the sweet savory flavor of the meat to it before they get down to the bone they will think they have died and gone to doggy heaven.

What if my dog gets sick eating meat?

If meat is not apart of your dogs diet and you want it to be then ease into it. Do not just throw a huge chunk of meat to your dog and say enjoy. Just small amounts to start is the best.

If you notice your dog getting sick then simply stop feeding them meat, if the sickness stops you will know, if it does not stop take them to the vet.

About the author – Ben has three dogs of his own and knows that feeding them beef can become quite expensive. Some ways we save money is by using a 1800petmeds coupon code for all our pet medications. The money we save from these coupons we spend on our doggy treats and meat.

Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Do You Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones? Dogs Love Raw Meat
2. A Dog Feeding Guide. How To Feed Your Dog.
3. A Good Dog Day………………………………….until.
4. The Good The Bad and The Puppy…….it almost rhymes!
5. Good Vibes in the Hen Coop

I have written a number of times about bones for Dogs but quite regularly I will either get a comment on an old Dog Blog post or I will receive a personal email asking me if it is safe to give a Dog:

1. Cooked bones
2. Boiled bones
3. Chicken bones after a roast
4. Pork bones
5. Small cooked bones
6. Large cooked bones

And on the list goes.

This is for anyone who is unsure about what bones they can give to Dogs and to dispel some of the myths about the realities of feeding bones for Dogs.

In a nutshell the only thing you need to know is that:

You should never give a cooked bone to a Dog.

That is the single most important factor that all owners of Dogs need to be absolutely clear on. Cooked bones are not natural for Dogs, they never learnt how to make fire and in their natural state barbecue was not something they were ever too hot on grasping. Raw meaty bones are natural and good for Dogs for all manner of reasons.

Before we get in to that the only other thing you need to be aware of is that raw pork bones may pose a health hazard, but if they are put in the freezer for a few weeks this danger is totally bypassed and pork is as safe as any other raw bone for a Dogs.

Now, many people are loathe to give their Dog a bone but basically all raw bones are safe bones for Dogs.

Dow owners seem scared to give raw bones to their pets, and to be honest I used to be one of those people. The result was that our poor old Dog Sam suffered from bad breath, decaying teeth and had to undergo serious (and costly) dental work.

Oh how I wish that I knew then what I know now.

Many think it is natural but it is not natural for Dogs to have bad breath.

None of our three Dogs, or even the Cat for that matter, have bad breath at all. They can be right in your face, and who has a Dog that isn’t on occasion, and there is never a whiff of bad breath unless we have been lax and not given them a raw meaty bone for an extended amount of time.

How do raw bones clean Dogs teeth?

The mere act of chewing, grinding and trying to decimate a raw bone will scrape away any plaque, tartar and the like from a Dogs (or Cats) teeth. The result is a set of teeth many of us would be proud of. The more regular they get them the cleaner their teeth and the better their breath.

But aren’t raw bones dangerous? Won’t it pierce their

• Mouth
• Stomach
• Intestines

The only significant chance of a bone causing damage to a Dog is if it is cooked. Then they can splinter easily and cause major damage. Raw bones are soft, no matter how hard they seem to us. Dogs will eventually eat through almost any bone. Some are tough and these will be the ones that they will never get a bit chunk of in one go. Softer bones they can go through very quickly but they are easily digest-able and about the nicest treat a Dog can have.

Introducing Safe Bones For Dogs

If your Dog has never had a raw meaty bone then begin slowly. Get some small pieces so they can begin the magical transformation to clean teeth, lovely breath, a shinier coat, small stools and general healthiness. Better yet go to the butchers and ask them for a really hard bone with some meat on. Many Dogs will be able to grind on them but never really eat them.

An yes, that’s right. If you feed your Dog bones on a regular basis, at least 2 or 3 times a week their stools will be small, compact, pale and never runny. A true boon in itself and reason enough for many owners of Dogs to make the switch.

And, one of the most important reasons to give safe bones for Dogs:

Dogs love Raw meaty bones.

Whenever we go to town we go to our local butchers and for what amounts to about $5 we get a shopping bag full of bones, beef, ribs and anything else that is slightly passed suitable for human consumption, or bones that the butcher knows will not be sold for making stocks.

One thing I have learnt is that the meat and bones may whiff slightly but unless it is seriously over it is not in any way a problem for Dogs. Their digestive systems are nothing like ours. They are designed to feed off old meat and carcasses of animals in the wild that we would run a mile from. Just stop thinking of your Dogs stomach as anything like your own.

And this may also be the jump start you need to begin visiting a local butchers and actually supporting your local economy rather than the supermarket. But, if you do only use a supermarket then ask there, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Now, I am not saying there is no risk to a Dog if it eats a raw bone. I am sure there are cases of bits getting stuck and the like. But how about the dangers of commercial Dog food, the fact that they can die prematurely from a rubbish diet. The fact that they can be ill or even die from problems associated with severe tooth decay.

If you could only see my three Dogs when we arrive home with a bag of raw bones. If you could see them lying in the grass for hours on end munching away on a health giving and nutritious bone.

If you could only hear the birds chirping and the crickets hopping. You can’t do that when you have a bored Dog or a barking Dog. Give a Dog a big raw bone and you will have peace. They will be about as content as you have ever seen them and you will wish you had done it years ago.

I have said it before and I am sure I will do it again. Buy The Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health Book it is a true eye opener and the best book to buy for anyone who has a Dog.Training books may be important but their Diet is even more so.

More and more of us are giving our Dogs medications for all types of conditions. I know, I am in the pet meds business and have seen sales soar, Discount Rimadyl for Dogs, Cosequin, Deramaxx, any number of  meds to ease pain and treat for arthritis and other conditions that are now all too common. Dogs given a more natural diet and one that naturally promotes healthy joints and tissue can mean there is a significantly lower chance of you needing to buy these type of medications.

They will certainly not do any hearm to a healthy Dog. Do your Dog a favor and give them some raw meaty bones. They promote health, promote strong health bones, keep their teeth clean, cure bad breath in Dogs, keep them occupied and out of trouble and on the list goes.

Ask the butcher what they recommend. You will be surprised (or not) how knowledgeable they are and how helpful they are. You should be able to get a good and regular supply of raw bones for Dogs for a low price. And if your butcher is less than helpful then go find another one.

Hopefully this has cleared up a few misconceptions for those that may have not read some of the previous articles or are still uncertain about whether Dogs can really have bones.

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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Dogs Eating Chicken Bones. Facts and Fables
2. Do You Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones? Dogs Love Raw Meat
3. Nylabone For Dogs. Is a Nylabone Bone Safe?
4. Dog Car Safety Harness or Seat Belt (keep you and your dog safe)
5. How To Cure Bad Dogs Breath

Living in Spain as we all do here we don’t need a Snuggie Blanket but for those in cooler climates then it is Snuggie time. You can Buy A Cheap Snuggie Here for yourself or buy a Snuggie For Dogs Here. If you live in the UK and are fed up with the high heating bills then you can Buy A Snuggie Here If You Live In The UK. You and the Dogs will be about as warm as it is possible to be.

Apparently the Snuggie blankets with sleeves has pretty much taken the US by storm and is on about every persons Christmas list. Personally I never feel the cold and I am not sure that I would look any more handsome with a Snuggie Zebra Blanket on. But apparently Zebra Snuggie Blanket is actually the most popular of them all. Proves how much I know about the tastes of those in the US.

Mrs. Three Dog Blogger feels the cold a lot more than I do so I can’t wait to see what she looks like but I think I will be getting her a Pink Snuggie to match fair skin. I am sure she will be over the moon.

Now, on to the Dogs. Apparently many Dog owners are buying the Dog Snuggie as a little treat for their shivering pooches. One size does not fit all so use this Snuggie For Dogs (All Sizes) link to see which one your Dog will need. Apparently they are machine washable, suitable for nearly all Dogs and have an easy velcro system to adjust the Dog Snuggie to the right size.

How they pee I am not too sure but apparently even the big dudes can easily be dressed with a simple step in system. They can be worn even with collars and leads and if you don’t mind a few stares from the fashion police you can keep the Dog Snuggie on when going for a walk in the park. The Snuggie for Dogs Reviews fall in to two definite camps. It is either that their Dog loves it or you are a cruel person for trying to humiliate your Dog by putting it in a walking blanket like a cheap Snuggie.

The consensus seems to be that some Dogs love them for in the house but for walking I just don’t really get how they have a pee. Am I missing something or is that important area left exposed?

So, blue or pink, which one do you think Faye would prefer?

Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Fleas And Dogs
2. Dogs vs Humans. The Race Is On! or Dogs Eat Chicken continued
3. Cats Are Better Than Dogs And Dogs Are Rubbish. Who Said That?
4. Dogs Urinary Incontinence
5. Bovine Colostrum Capsules For Dogs

Look in to my eyes.

You are getting sleepy.

Your eyelids are feeling heavy.

You are asleep.

You are totally under my influence.

You will click here and go to Amazon.

You will buy the Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health book.

You will start reading it as soon as it arrives.

You will always give your Dog a bone a few times a week after you realise how important it is.

You will now have a Dog with lovely fresh breath.

You will now have a Dog who has perfectly clean teeth

You will now have a Dog that does little compact poos that do not smell, instead of stinky big runny ones.

You will leave a comment thanking me for “suggesting” that this is the best book for Dog owners EVER.

You will then forget all that has happened here apart from the fact that you love THE BEST DOG BLOG and want to tell all your friends about it.

And you are awake!

And if you want to find who sells cheap books and where to buy cheap books, not just Dog books then follow the above links.

Other articles you may find of interest:

1. THE Dog Book
2. The Kindle UK For Dog Training On The Move

Not anything to do with Dog training online today. I want to know what you think are the ten best Dog foods. I  will get to my top 10 Dog foods in a little while. First I want to talk a little about what we feed our Dogs, why we do it, and the buzz of late over ensuring that we give them a balanced diet.

Anyone who reads this Dog blog on occasion (subscribe to get each new post via the easy ways to the right) knows that I am a firm advocate of raw meaty bones for Dogs.

I still get comments and emails talking about the fact that people who have fed their Dogs have been killed or had to have operations. Upon further enquiry about the bones for Dogs that they gave them it is always the same reply. It was a cooked bone! Never, under any circumstances, give a Dog a cooked bone. They can block their intestines, pierce them, splinter in to tiny shards that can kill them and are so brittle that you are asking for trouble.

Raw meaty bones are completely different. They are easily digested and are a fantastic way to clean Dog’s teeth.

The Advantages Of Raw Bones For Dogs

A few weeks or a month or so ago we had gone through a phase of no raw bones for the Dogs. Jet-ski the youngest one started to get bad breath and I could see discoloring on all the three girls’ teeth. This was the first time in two years that the older ones had ever had anything but perfectly white teeth.

Raw bones perform so many tasks of given as regular as possible.

• They clean your Dogs teeth and will stop expensive teeth cleaning or extraction in later years.
• They completely eliminate bad Dogs breath. Clean teeth equals clean breath. If you don’t believe me then do this. If your Dog has bad breath then give it a RAW bone every day for a week. It’s bad breath will be gone.
• Less stools to clean up. Rather than the brown mush so many Dogs produce if we feed strictly bones for a few days then the stools are really infrequent, almost white, and much smaller. This is a known fact if you feed Dogs raw bones. THey do not need an equivalent weight in bones as they do in Dog food. They can be fed less, they absorb so much more of what they are given and the stools are compact, small, and do not smell any where near as bad.
• Raw bones clean through a Dogs colon and keep the Dogs anal glands emptied. Many Dogs scoot along the floor before their glands need emptying. This involves a smelly visit to the vets or a smelly time at home if you are brave enough. Raw bones will keep the glands emptied and healthy.

There are loads more benefits to raw meaty bones but these are some of the most important.

Many people have asked where to buy raw bones for Dogs. Either ask in your supermarket but much better is to support your local butchers. Start buying some meat from your butchers and keep their store running. At the same time ask about some bones for your Dog. Regular custom will probably see you getting them very cheaply if not free. You can’t get better than free Dog food.

The Myth Of Dog Foods And Balanced Diets

Many people make homemade Dog food and those that do often obsess over giving their Dogs a balanced diet. Those of us that buy ready made Dog food never really consider this. We assume that the ratios are perfect. The objection to making homemade Dog food or feeding raw bones to Dogs is often based on the fact that people assume they will make their Dog unhealthy by not giving them the exact ratios of vitamins, minerals, proteins or Carbs.

I say nonsense. Do you eat a perfect diet? No, you don’t. Neither do I.

Next time you buy your dried Dog food that is magically perfect for your Dog as well as all other Dogs take a look at the other supposedly best Dog foods in the store. They will all have different ratios but will all be touted as the perfect mix.

Dogs, by nature, will gorge on whatever is available. The grassy contents of a herbivores stomach, a pile of dead chickens, fruit etc.

When we go walking our Dogs jump up at trees to eat cherries, at the moment they are in to eating blackberries straight of the wild bushes that are all over the place. They are opportunists and will naturally eat what is available.

Do you think that by only giving them raw bones for a few days is going to make them more or less healthy? What do you think will effect a Dogs life more?

An infected and rotted mouth full of decaying teeth or a few days of total enjoyment as they munch through some health giving bones?

I think we put way too much emphasis on finding that perfect ratio of food. As long as things are kept in a general balance you really don’t need to become so obsessive about it.
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Why We Buy Dog Food

I am as guilty of it as everyone else.

Partly we have been indoctrinated to assume the only way we can give a balanced diet to our Dogs is to buy a ready made Dog food. I feed a dried food to my Dogs because of the convenience. They have bones quite often as a meal and other times it is a brand called Brokaton.

It is inexpensive at 11 euros for a 20kg sack and lasts a good few weeks. I have looked at the so-called better Dog foods and the ratios are all over the place for them so I picked a middle ground and I am happy with it. Some Dogs need specific foods I know, but unless they have a real dietary problem or need, do you think you need to spend the crazy prices some people do for Dog  food?

The reason many of us feed ready made Dog foods is simply because we don’t want the chore of making it for them and we worry we may get ir wrong.

There are a million Dog food recipes to make at home on the Internet so there really is little to worry about. If you are concerned about what goes in to Dog food why not start making your own. We worry way too much about giving them a perfect diet.

On to what this post is all about.

The 10 Best Dog Foods

I would really like for you to give your 10 best Dog foods in the comment section so feel free to leave what you think are the best Dog foods. Here is what mine are:

1. RAW MEATY BONES
2. Raw chicken, including necks, wings, the whole carcass etc
3. Kitchen scraps
4. Any suitable dried Dog food
5. Olive oil
6. Free fruits
7. Fish (raw)
8. Eggs (raw)
9. Left over kitchen stock (liquid from boiling cabbage etc)
10. Any food we would otherwise throw out

I know that is not what you were expecting. You were expecting a list of the top then best Dog foods to look more like a list of the best Dog food brands. I really think that these brands are often overrated.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that in some cases certain breeds have very strict dietary requirements, but most Dogs can, and more importantly will, eat anything.

Do you throw boiled water that cooked potatoes away, Do you throw away slightly gone off fruit away. Do you, in fact throw any food away?

Dogs have completely different constitutions to us. They can happily eat food that would make us extremely, and violently, ill.

They work in a totally different manner to us and are built to eat food that is well past its best and raw meat with no ill effects.

Don’t think of your Dog as anything like you. Their dietary needs are different and they can eat so much more than we can.

How To Expand What Your Dog Eats

You may decide to implement what I have talked about here. If you do think that just feeding your favorite brand of Dog food day in and day out is not ideal and you can see the adverse consequences of such a restricted diet then here are a few pointers:

• Introduce changes slowly. A Dog only ever fed one type of food will take a while to adjust.
• Choose some good quality hard bones to start such as Beef bones from the leg. These are hard to chew, kepe the Dogs occupied for hours, and will be the best at cleaning their teeth and stopping that bad Dog breath.
• Start adding the water you cook food in to the Dog food rather than just running it under the tap. You should make a conscious effort to add water to any pot or pan you have cooked in to gather up all  the nutrient rich bits and pieces left over after cooking.
• Replace expensive Dog treats with something you make yourself or buy a big bag of chicken wings. They will thank you for it no end.

The key is to start changing your Dogs boring and unfulfilling diet slowly. We still give dried food every day but they also get bones. If spoiled food does not go on the compost heap the Dogs get, and love, it.

Every time we make eggs or fry something or boil something the remains are scraped out and stored ready to be given to the Dogs at the appropriate time

Never give scraps to the Dogs unless it is their meal times. You don’t want begging Dogs. If your Dog does beg now then chances are it is because you have given it scraps at inappropriate times.

If they do not know what the food you are making tastes like then they won’t beg for it. Simple.

And The Best Dog Food Is…..

Obviously for me it is Raw bones. They don’t get hem as much as I would like but they are a large part of their diet. their coats will gleam, their teeth will be dazzling, they won’t poo as much and they will stay out of your way for hours every day munching away.

Try this slowly if you think that maybe just regular Dog food may not be the perfect way to go. I thank you.
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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. All Natural Dog Food – Homemade Dog Foods
2. Homemade Dog Foods. Natural Homemade Dog Food
3. Dogs Eating Chicken Bones. Facts and Fables
4. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul – Know It, Love It, Win It!

The following is an interview my good friend Maggie graciously spent the time to answer. She and her partner feed their Dogs homemade Dog food. They feed what would be considered an “all natural Dog food diet”. In my post on homemade Dog foods I questioned many aspects of making food at home for the Dogs. I wondered just how much work it actually involves, how expensive it is, and just how time consuming is it to prepare yet another set of meals.

Maggie has been preparing healthy Dog foods for their two Dogs (hey dudes), for quite some time now. If you have ever wondered just what goes in to preparing homemade Dog foods, should it be cooked or raw, and the many questions that surround it then read this fascinating interview and a lot of your questions will answered.

Tell us a little about your Dogs
We have two – Gnasher and her son Spit. Our friend Nat the Leg found Gnasher in the road with 11 puppies and over 200 ticks, she had nasty chain marks around her neck too. She was quite difficult in the early days but always polite and affectionate. She is still assertive but thankfully now much more relaxed in her new life. Spit is a lean machine, always on the look out and just as affectionate but he has to pick his moments or else Gnasher will come and gnudge him out of the way!

Firstly what inspired you to make homemade Dog food?
We had had the dogs for about 6 months and I was (unusually!) browsing in the charity shops when I spied a book called “Give Your Dog a Bone” it was priced at 50pence so of course I could not leave it on the shelf.

The logic inside was irresistible:
• although dog behaviour has changed dramatically their entire digestive system and most importantly the way they utilise the food is fundamentally the same as it was when they were wild scavengers,

• that by serving cooked food you not only destroy most of the goodness available to your dog but you can convert parts into dangerous chemicals which promote cancer and other degenerative diseases over time,

• and finally that you would not expect to eat a perfectly balanced meal each time you sit down to a plate of food and nor should your dog.

Dr Billinghurst reckons pretty much any commercially manufactured dog food falls down on all these points (and more but don’t get me started!) It is cooked not raw so it’s a product your dog is not designed for and nor does it provide a balanced diet over a period of time as the dog would do in the wild.

Also as everything is mixed in one big dollop you may find too much of some essential elements and not enough of others and in any-case which ones will/can the dog digest with so much bombardment? It’s like a Russian roulette of feast or famine on a plate, every day. Would you do that?

Do you feed mostly raw food or a combination of the two?
We feed mostly raw food as recommended in the book. They call it BARF – Bones and Raw Food. He suggests 60% raw meaty bones balanced by a combination of lots of raw vegetables, some offal and meat, eggs yoghurt, brewers yeast, small amounts of grains and legumes and some table scraps. We do sneak in the odd bit of cooked food. For example they love chicken stock (no salt !) so I use that to mix in with lots of raw veg on the basis the veg is more important. I have a funny feeling Sir Alph knocks up the odd Dogbetti Bolognese when I’m not looking and one Christmas we made them a goats head stew (with eyes and tongue – dude, it was green!) and I have to tell you they went WILD.

Just a note re the raw veg, Spit has eaten it since early days and views it as normal grub but Gnasher is more suspicious so we have to disguise it more for her!

Was it easy to learn how to make all natural Dog food?
Yes! The difficulty is tracking the raw meaty bones. In England most butchers get their meat pre-prepared (don’t be fooled by those stripey aprons they probably have no idea how to gut a chicken!) and here in Spain they sell the bones for quite a lot of money. We rely heavily on chicken carcasses and whole chickens. Luckily our butcher is generous with their bones and they usually give us a doggy sack. In England we buy a product called Duck which is frozen raw food and then have to root around for bones to supplement it.

Does it take a lot of time to prepare homemade Dog foods?
Longer than shaking croc out of a bag. Depending on the meal it might take 10 or 15 minutes. We always remove the spikey bit (Do you want a video??** Mrs. Three Dog Blogger could oil us) from the leg bone of the chicken and although it’s tempting to chuck ‘em a carcass each we tend to chop them up a bit first. The veg meal is more of a palava. Dr Billinghurst says that the veg (or indeed fruit) should resemble to contents of a wild animals stomach –i.e.raw and totally crushed.

You have to break down the cellulose walls because dogs don’t digest cellulose so they get little to no value from the veg and they simply pass straight through (ever seen a bit of carrot in their poo after left over stew?) This means using a juicer, an old fashioned hand meat mincer (I have two!) or a food processor (providing you run it for long enough so it is crushed not just chopped). Other than that it can be like making mud pies which I have always enjoyed!

How long have you been feeding a non commercial diet to the Dogs?
About 5 years now and I cannot see us changing back.

Have you seen an improvement in Gnasher and Spit since you began feeding them
homemade Dog food recipes?
Well it’s tricky to say as we have been feeding it to them pretty much the whole time. People (and vets) often remark how good their teeth look, especially Gnasher who is about 8 now and could be the star player in any toothpaste advert that you care to mention. When we go to England I’m surprised at the number of times people say how fine they look and what do we feed them – but perhaps this is being doggie polite UK style?

At 6 months old Spit caught Lischmania which is a horrible degenerative disease of the Mediterranean. He is now 5, completely recovered and despite the life-long essentially toxic, treatment necessary to keep the parasites at bay he is fit and healthy and displays none of the long-term side effects such as slow to heal or skin problems.

One other thing – poo. Often people say to me, I can’t give my dog liver/bones/eggs as it will give them the runs. Never a problem here, all very consistent and easy to deal with, their system is used to a variety and can cope!

Do you think it is more expensive to feed the Dogs natural homemade Dog food
recipes?
It shouldn’t be but for urbanites it generally is, depending of course of how much you pay for your commercial food. It takes a bit of investigation but it is usually possible to find an inexpensive source of raw meaty bones and the rest is pretty cheap. I doubt if there is any data to support how much you might save on vet and especially dental bills by providing a BARF diet but there will be a balance somewhere there. Also as the book says, the commercial food gives out enough for the dog to get by on but it is later in life that things begin to tell. So I guess it’s a bit of an insurance against the future too.

Can you give us some examples of recipes for Dog food?
Well I use the book quite a lot, there are plenty in there and even a section for vegetarians. Other than raw meaty bones and chicken my standbys are:
• Chicken stock, crushed raw veg topped by a few speckles of mincemeat
• Yoghurt and raw egg
• Raw egg, veg and mincemeat (A.K.A Steak Tartare –Alphas pay good money for this in restaurants I tell them)

To all of the above I add a crushed kelp tablet and a teaspoon of brewers yeast which are the two supplements I use.

Would you recommend feeding homemade dog food for other Dog owners?
Yes, yes and yes and at the very minimum some raw meaty bones every week. When we do mess up and have to feed them some croc they are noticeably hyper-active afterwards, bit like kids after burgers and coke.

Anything you would like to add?
Thank you Mr Billinghurst for writing such a fab book – buy it!

Many thanks to Maggie for taking the time to answer my questions. As any regular readers know I have talked about the benefits of raw meaty bones for your Dogs teeth and the fact that it stops bad Dogs breath, as well as the many heath benefits. Maggie only confirms this with her experiences over the last five years.

It was Maggie who graciously opened our eyes to the benefits of raw bones by lending us the above mentioned book. We have not, however, switched to only making all natural Dog food. Learning how to make Dog food at home does not seem quite as complicated as I once thought and I am sure that after a few attempts it will become easier and easier. I am also quite surprised that the actual time taken to prepare the food is not longer, which definitely makes it easier to consider as an option.

Do you think preparing all natural Dog food that consists of mostly raw food is something you may now consider?

How about making sure you at least supply some raw meaty bones once a week?

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

Help support this site. When shopping on Amazon please do so via the US link or the the UK Amazon links. It really does help, and costs you nothing more.

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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Homemade Dog Foods. Natural Homemade Dog Food
2. Homemade Dog Food- Totally Free Range
3. The top 10 Dog Foods
4. Price Comparisons For Flea Treatments And Natural Alternatives
5. Dangerous Food For Dogs. Things I never Knew.

I was talking last night with Mrs. Three Dog Blogger and we started talking about our previous Dog Sam. He was with us since we were young. We had him for sixteen years and he was the best buddy ever. In later years he began to go blind and deaf but life was still a joy to him.

We began reminiscing about him and the topic of all his Lumps and Bumps came up. Boy was he a Lumpy Bumpy Dog over the years. Apart from the cost of Dental operations because we never knew how to clean a Dogs Teeth he also had a few other operations over the years.

He was a Dog very prone to all manner of Lumps. I thought it may be helpful to go over a few of the Lumps and Bumps that your Dog may have or may get. Obviously, though, if your Dog has a Lump or Bump get straight to the Vet.

Lumps On Dogs Side?

Sam had a very large Lump on his side. It was a large Lump that seemed to get a little bigger as he got in to old age. It was a fairly soft Lump but still of concern. It seemed to be between his Ribs and the Skin.

Quite often Dogs get these big Lumps on the side. The Vet told us not to be concerned. It was a Fatty Lump that was not dangerous to him. We left it alone as recommended by the Vet and never seemed to be of concern to him.

It was the size that was a concern. It was about the size of my Palm. Quite a big size for a Medium sized  Dog. It never bothered him at all and caused no problems. He felt a bit Lumpy but that was all.

Lumps On Dog Head?

A Lump on a Dogs head my be a simple build up of fatty tissue or it may be something altogether more worrying. A soft lump is usually a a harmless fatty Tumor but not always. Be sure to get it checked by the Vet.

Sams Lump was harmless and the Vet tested it. Although it was not cancerous we had to keep a close eye on it. It did start to get larger and although not dangerous as far as the Lump itself was concerned it was quickly getting too close to his eye. The Vet then recommended that it be removed as it could have caused him serious problems. At this time he was not too old, so the fact he was having a serious operation, although a concern, was not as much of a problem as if he was older. He did, however, look like Frankensteins Monster for a few weeks! He scared off all the other Dogs in the Park. Not that he minded. More Squirrels to chase for him!

These soft fatty Lumps that appear always need to be tested but only have them removed if absolutely necessary. Going under anaesthetic always creates a serious risk to your Dog.

Lumps On Dogs Back?

Just how many Lumps can one Dog have? Well, Sam seemed to be going for some kind of record. I can see it now

“Sam, the lumpiest Dog in the World”!

He had quite a lot of Lumps on his back. All of them were tested and they were all soft fatty Lumps that we of no danger to his health. None of them were removed. There is no need to have Lumps removed from your Dog if they are not of immediate concern.

These Lipomas should be left unless they grow too big or like the Lump near Sams eye, they begin to cause a problem. They may be removed for aesthetics but you are putting a large risk on your Dogs health just so it looks a little less Lumpy.

Lumps On Dogs Rear?

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This Lump on the Dogs Bum had us really worried. Sam had a large, quite hard Lump on his Bum. It was quite Pink and did not look nice at all. This was a tough call because by this time he was quite old.

Quite often lumps around the Dogs Anus are caused by animpacted Anal Sacs. See my post on Dogs Anul Glands to ensure your Dogs Anal Glands do not cause lots of problems. Go to the Vets and quite often the Lump can be drained. This is not always the case, however. Although Sam did have Anul Gland problems, this was not one of them.

The Vet told us that this Pink Lump on the Dog, although large should not be removed unless necessary. Unless it began interfering with his bowel movements it was believed it was best left alone. Always a Dog that gnawed, an operation on his rear would be difficult to manage even with a Space Collar, or Elizabethan Collar. The dangers of infections were also a concern because the Lump was right by his Bum.

Most importantly though was his age. At about fourteen years old decisions needed to be made. Personally I believe it is not worth the risk of putting an old Dog under anaesthetic unless absolutely necesary, and the Vet agreed. The Trauma and recovery time may be too much for an old Dog.

Hard Lumps, Soft Lumps, Large And Small Lumps On Dogs

Some Dogs are just prone to Lumps and Bumps of all sizes. Large Lumps, little Lumps and all kinds of Bumps in between. Our Dog had them all. All Lumps need to be checked by a Vet. This post is just a guide to my experiences. You should never seek Veterinary advice on line for serious issues. Always take your Dog to have its Lumps inspected by someone qualified.

What Dogs Get Lumps?

All Dogs get lumps, or can get Lumps. Some Breeds may be more prone to the problem than others.

Judging by the interest in the subject I though twe would take a quick look at some of the most searched for queries concerning Lumps that may or may not be dangerous on Dogs. Some of the top queries include:

Lumps on Shelties

Lumps on Pitbulls

Hard Lumps on Dogs

Soft Lumps on Dog

Lump on Poodle

And the list goes on. There is obviously a real concern about Lumps on Dogs, hard or soft. Many Dog owners are searching for answers, but you must go to the Vets if you have any concerns at all.

Quite often the Lumps will be nothing more than a build up of fatty tissue, but they need to be inspected to make sure. There are so many reasons why Lumps appear on Dogs that it is important to get proper advice. Lumps can appear on Dogs Necks, Backs, Head, basically anywhere. Sometimes they are nothing to worry about but they can also become very serious if ignored.

Also, although it is tough, always bear in mind the age of your Dog when thinking about operations. Always inform the Vet of your Dogs age when discussing Medical Procedures. Keep a close eye on any Lumps that appear, even after a visit to the Vets. If they get bigger, or change colour, go back to the Vets immediately.

Hey, Sam. You were the best Lumpy Bumpy Dog I ever had. Well, the only one actually, but who’s counting?!

Good Boy.

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

Help support this site. When shopping on Amazon please do so via this link. It really does help, and costs you nothing more.

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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Dogs vs Humans. The Race Is On! or Dogs Eat Chicken continued
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3. Snuggie Blankets For Dogs-Dog Snuggies For The Shivering Pooch
4. Pedigree And Pure Breed Dogs Or Mutts And Mongrels
5. Heartworms And Dogs

Although I have written about Dangerous Food For Dogs and I wrote a post dedicated to the benefits of Raw Chicken for Dogs I still seem to be getting quite a few questions about Chicken Bones and whether or not Dogs eating Chicken Bones is dangerous.

If your Dog ate Chicken Bones and you are worried then consult a Vet, but here I will finally put the issue of Dogs and Chicken Bones to rest.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?

Are Chicken Bones Dangerous For Dogs?

The answer is yes and no! Don’t worry, I will explain what they can and can’t eat. The general rule, however, is that Dogs can eat Raw Chicken Bones but not cooked Chicken Bones.

Dog Ate Chicken Bones?

If your Dog ate Raw Chicken Bones then I would not worry. We feed our Dogs Raw Chicken and Bones all the time. If your Dog ate Cooked Chicken Bones then I would be more concerned. Although a lot of the time your Dog will be fine after eating Cooked Chicken Bones there is a serious risk involved. You need to keep a serious eye on your Dog or go the Vets if you are concerned.

The Dangers Of Cooked Chicken Bones For Dogs

Why to NEVER Feed Cooked Chicken Bones To Dogs

Dogs should never be allowed to eat cooked Chicken Bones. Never feed them, and never let them loose in areas where people may have been eating Cooked Chicken.

Cooked Chicken Bones become very brittle. They will splinter easily and can break in to very sharp shards. If your Dogs ate Cooked Chicken Bones there is risk of it getting a splinter of Bone stuck in its Mouth, its Throat or in its Intestine. The Bones can pierce Intestines or form a hard blockage that can be life threatening.

This is not to say that this will occur, the majority of times you may have nothing to worry about but there is a risk. I am not saying you MUST go to the Vets but it is a real cause for concern and if you have the slightest worry I would recommend you get your Dog checked at the Vets.

Raw Chicken Bones And The Dangers To Dogs

Dogs Can Eat Raw Chicken Bones?

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Raw Chicken Bones are a completely different matter to Cooked Chicken Bones. As with anything a Dog eats there is a small chance of it being Dangerous but Dogs have been eating Raw Bones safely, for the most part, for as long as Wolves have existed. While now far removed from their Ancestral Heritage, Dogs can safely eat all manner of Raw Meat and Bones in safety.

If your Dog ate Raw Chicken Bones I would not be concerned. Raw Bones, especially that of the Chicken, are very soft and digested easily by most Dogs. As well as helping to clean Dogs Teeth they will also help guard against problems with your Dogs Anul Glands which is very important.

The Bones Of a Chicken are ideal for Dogs. They can easily be chewed, are soft, easily digested by most Dogs, and good for their Health. Obviously if you see any adverse side effects call your Vet, but most healthy Dogs do nothing but thrive on Raw Meaty Bones. Some owners feed nothing but Raw Food.

The Danger Of Raw Chicken Bones For Dogs

For Healthy Dogs that have no advers effects to eating Raw Bones in general there is only one problem with the Raw Bones of Chickens. In the Thigh there is a long and very sharp Bone. It “could” cause a problem if it pierces your Dogs Mouth so remove it. If you remove this sharp Needle like Bone then the rest of the Chicken is safe.

Raw Chicken Necks or Chicken Wings make a great snack for Dogs. They love it and will be more than happy with their little treat.

Hopefully this has now covered the topic of Chicken Bones for Dogs and will give you the answers many have still been searching for.

Now, go get a few Chicken Wings for your little Bone Muncher. Or why not learn how to make 245 Homemade Recipes for your Dog?

Faye…………..Faye……………….Faye!

“Live Chickens that give us our daily Eggs DO NOT count!!!!! Step away from the Hen House. Good Girl.”

Pesky Pooches!

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

Help support this site. When shopping on Amazon please do so via this link. It really does help, and costs you nothing more.

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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Dogs vs Humans. The Race Is On! or Dogs Eat Chicken continued
2. Safe Bones For Dogs
3. Do You Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones? Dogs Love Raw Meat
4. Chicken Dog Treats
5. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul – Know It, Love It, Win It!

As I wind my way around the “tinternet” looking at all things Dog related I am amazed just how many different recipes there are for homemade Dog Treats. There are recipes for Organic Dog Treats, Diabetic Dog Treats and even Holistic Hypoallergenic Organic Dog Treats (I’m not kidding)!

I’m not going to just post a recipe for how to make a homemade Dog Treat. You can do a Google search and you will have enough recipes to keep you busy in the Kitchen for a lifetime and your Dog very fat indeed.

Any regulars to the site know I am a firm believer in Raw Meaty Bones. Not only are they fantastic for cleaning Dogs teeth they also keep them busy and quiet for hours!

What I want to talk about is a fantastic treat for the Dogs. Raw Chicken.

There are lots of recipes involving Chicken but most of them are for cooked Chicken made in to some form of treat. Dogs do love Chicken and I see no need to disguise the Chicken in a treat when Raw Chicken for Dogs is a super treat in itself.

Many Dog owners believe Raw Meat can be dangerous for Dogs. As far as I know the only meat than can be really dangerous for Dogs in the raw is Pork and Pork Bones. This is rendered safe by freezing for about three weeks. If you have read my post about Raw Chicken for Dogs, where I had a nightmare with them feasting on very rotten Chickens that were illegally dumped, you will realise just how tough most Dogs insides are. They simply are not affected by bacteria in the same way as humans.

Raw Chicken for Dogs is not dangerous. Many are very concerned about feeding raw meat to their Dogs and unless your Dog has health issues there is little need for concern. Dog Bone treats come in many forms but Raw Chicken for Dogs is one of the Treats they love the best.

Raw Chicken For Dogs – What Can They Eat?

Basically, all of it.

Now, I am not expecting you to feed the Dogs a whole, intact Chicken. Most people do not have access to whole birds, innards and all, but trust me when I tell you they can and will eat the whole thing with no detrimental effect (unfortunately I know this for a fact)!

When we buy a gutted Chicken there is basically none of it that the Dogs cannot eat. Chicken Dog treats don’t come much tastier than this. If possible you should get, or ask the Butcher, for the neck as well. Chicken necks are great for the Dogs to munch on. It helps keep their teeth clean and is a super Chicken Treat for the Dogs.

If you decide to feed your Dogs Raw Chicken as a Treat there is basically no part of it they cannot eat with one exception which I will discuss shortly. Do not be concerned about the majority of the bones etc. When Chicken Bones are raw they are very soft and the Dogs will happily munch through the lot!

Many Dog owners seem to forget that Dogs are naturally raw meat eaters and scavengers. No wild Dog or Wolf has ever cooked its Chicken first. They are built for raw food. The reality is that Dogs love all things Meat. It is their natural way.

Feeding Dogs Raw Chicken

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Unless you are quite wealthy or feeling very generous indeed you will not just be throwing a whole Chicken at the Dog and letting it get on with it.

The Dog would happily devour it but it is an expensive one off treat.

Cut the Raw Chicken in to however many pieces you wish. Chicken Wings are a great Treat for the Dogs. The larger pieces can be given as special treats or as replacement meals.

Don’t worry about the Bones. They are soft and easily digested. If you are concerned talk to your Vet first to hopefully have your mind put at ease.

The Dangers Of Raw Chicken For Dogs

For the most part Raw Chicken for Dogs is entirely safe. If you did nothing to the Chicken but throw it to the Dog, in most cases there will be no problems.

There is, however, a precaution we should all take. In the fleshy part of the thigh bones there is a very sharp, needle-like bone that could be a danger. There have been cases of Dogs getting punctured because it is so sharp.

It is a simple matter of removing this bone. They Dogs can then happily munch away on the thigh as a great treat.

I do hope some of you will consider Chicken as a great treat for your Dog. I know many people are afraid to feed raw food to their Dogs but they really do love it. Start them off slowly if you have never done it before to get them accustomed to something new.

Talk to your Vet about your concerns if you have any. They are there to help.

Above all though, NEVER feed cooked bones to Dogs. They become very brittle and can cause a lot of damage to the toughest of Dogs.

So, save yourself some time in the Kitchen making homemade Dog treats and go buy a Chicken!

Your Dog will thank you for it I am Sure.

If it really doesn’t appeal then download 245 Homemade Recipes and at least you will know exactly what is in your Dogs Treats.

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

Help support this site. When shopping on Amazon please do so via this link. It really does help, and costs you nothing more.

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Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Dogs Eating Chicken Bones. Facts and Fables
2. Dogs vs Humans. The Race Is On! or Dogs Eat Chicken continued
3. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul – Know It, Love It, Win It!

Before we had our present dogs we had a fantastic male dog. We always fed him only dried food and he was always great company. He was energetic and full of life until very old age when he finally slowed down.

We did however always have a few recurring problems with him.

• He quite often had very bad breath
• He had lots of teeth extracted at much expense
• At least twice a year he had to have his anal glands emptied by the Vet

Not very nice i know but this is how it was. We were given some advice by the Vet and this was give him as much fibre as possible to stop the anal gland problem. Didn’t work.

So he was expensive to maintain. Teeth extraction and Vet visits are not cheap.

Now years later we have three new dogs and things are a little different. After having borrowed a book from friends I look at things in a different light. The book Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health (P)has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I never used to think about when I thought about feeding time.

• Dogs are natural scavengers
• Wild dogs thrive on raw meat, bones and rotting, fallen fruit, nuts etc
• Dogs do NOT always need regular meal times
• Naturally dogs do not get mushed up meat or dried food from a sack

Now I know you will be the same as me and be saying yes but our dogs are not wild etc and their nature is different now. Well if you have read my post on raw chicken you will see that given half a chance they will immediately revert back to a wild, scavenging state. Raw Meat for dogs should not be a worry. Dogs and bones come hand in hand.

Anyway the main points I gleaned from the book are many. We have put the information into practise in a limited sense as I am no zealot. Things need to be practical for your budget and way of life. There are however some very important factors to be realised from at least giving your dog a Raw Meaty Bone(P)
on occasion.

Advantages Of Feeding Your Dog On Raw Meaty Bones

• Raw dog bones will clean your dogs teeth
• Raw meaty bones will stop your dog having bad breath
• Raw meaty bones will keep your dog happy and quiet for hours (yay!)
• Raw bones will stop your dog having anal sac problems
• Raw bones are a natural food for your dog

I really do suggest you check out the book and see for yourself what you think. It was certainly an eye opener for me and I wish I had implemented some of the suggestions years ago.

Why not go out and find a cheap supplier of raw dog bones and improve their health as well as giving you a good few hours of peace!

Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health (P)

[tags]bones for dogs, dogs and bones, dogs raw meat, raw dog bones, raw meat for dogs, raw meaty bones[/tags]

May the Doggie Force be with you all,

Help support this site. When shopping on Amazon please do so via this link. It really does help, and costs you nothing more.

[ad#ad-1]

Other articles you may find of interest:

1. Safe Bones For Dogs
2. Dogs Eating Chicken Bones. Facts and Fables
3. Is Feeding Your Dog Meat Good or Bad?
4. Dogs Love To Eat Almond Nuts. Or Is It Just Mine?
5. A Dog Feeding Guide. How To Feed Your Dog.