Raw Feeders, I'm curious

[CupofDog]

I am a prey model feeder and my furkids get gross after mealtime! I bought an essential oil spray bottle (blue to protect the oil) filled it with water and added a few drops of lavender oil, a natural antibacterial and shake really well to dilute.

I don't like the wipes-I just didn't feel they work.

I spritz their paws, my hands, a washcloth or paper towel, wipe their faces and paws and brush and let it be! I will say, my Yorkie mix needs bathing much more often because of prey model, but, its worth it!

I am not so concerned with the danger to me, more just to keep 'em clean and smelling nice. The fact that lavender is a an antibacterial is just a pleasant side effect and the dogs smell divine!

[PunkinPie]

So glad you asked the question. The vet wants us to give Punkin a raw bone to chew on and I just can't for the germ factor. She said we could boil it for 30 seconds but that is it.

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by PunkinPie

So glad you asked the question. The vet wants us to give Punkin a raw bone to chew on and I just can't for the germ factor. She said we could boil it for 30 seconds but that is it.

DONT BOIL IT!!! Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injury! Raw bones are chewy and digested in dog's highly acidic stomachs without issue.

As far as the germ factor, freeze the bone for 48 hours before defrosting and then you'll have killed anything major. I can promise there are more germs on your bathroom floor then will affect your dog by giving him a raw bone. I just reccomended this on another thread, but a great book on the topic which may quell your fears is Ian Billinghurt's Give Your Dog a Bone.

[PunkinPie]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

DONT BOIL IT!!! Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injury! Raw bones are chewy and digested in dog's highly acidic stomachs without issue.

As far as the germ factor, freeze the bone for 48 hours before defrosting and then you'll have killed anything major. I can promise there are more germs on your bathroom floor then will affect your dog by giving him a raw bone. I just reccomended this on another thread, but a great book on the topic which may quell your fears is Ian Billinghurt's Give Your Dog a Bone.

The vet said (and the butcher agreed) that a quick boil won't hurt the integrity of the bone.

I'll have to check the library for the book. Thanks!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

DONT BOIL IT!!! Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injury! Raw bones are chewy and digested in dog's highly acidic stomachs without issue.

Absolutely do not boil it!!

At first, I was feeling SO impressed that a vet actually recommended a raw bone - then I read the they said to cook it first: very dangerous!

Also, there is a difference in giving types of bones: do you want to give consumable bones or non-consumable bones (where they just chew/gnaw and don't eat the bone)???