[Patty55]

I'm afraid of blockages, I may try it again.

[lightworker888]

I used to feed them to our bichon, poodle and maltese as a treat and they loved them. The maltese was so small that I was afraid she might choke, but it was OK. I always froze them so they could chew them up and it was easier to keep them for a period of time.

I never got into giving them to my shih tzu but I'm sure they would love them.

LW888

[Monkei]

Originally Posted by Kimandhim19981@gmail.com

Really, I have had pets for the last 50 years, we did not have to have them checked, injected, whatever every year and they lived for over 15 years (dogs) (18 years cats) I love my cat to death and I have been told she has to have her teeth cleaned, welcome to the new way of making money for us pet loving parents. (I have declined getting her teeth done) check it out, before you subject your baby to anything :-)

So I take it you don't go to the dentist either?

[Patty55]

Okay, tried the raw chicken necks. She just turned her nose up and walked away with a "You think I'm eating that!!!" look.

[lightworker888]

That's a first that I've heard of. I guess you have to try other chewy things. Is she on a raw diet? Our shih tzu loves the antlers which also help keep her teeth clean and plaque free. You might give that a try. They cost more than the raw hide which I don't use anymore as they get all gooey. The antlers last forever with the smaller dogs, though you have to pick out thinner ones or they get bored. At least that has been my experience. FWIW


LW888

[Patty55]

I can't do the antlers, they gross me out.

She's on a semi-raw diet. Beef, fish (loves salmon) are raw, chicken I cook because it grosses me out. Raw veggies grated, greek yoghurt and lately some cooked rice. She's getting older and it's getting hard to keep the weight on.

I guess I'm back to beef shank for chewing.

[Barefoot]

A word of warning .. I was giving my small 10-pound dog (Biggins) antlers to chew on, to minimize the need for teeth cleaning. He is 12 years old. Unknown to me, Biggins developed an abrasion on the roof of his mouth (I assume from chewing the antlers which he loved). It turned into a large tumor, bright pink, which is pushing through his teeth, and is very invasive. I took him to a Vet and then to a Speciality Clinic with high-tech Vets and the latest equipment. The Surgeon removed the tumor (cost $2,000).

Bad news: Within five days, the tumor had grown back. Good news: They were able to send all the original tumor to Pathology and it definitely isn't cancer. It is a weird form of scar tissue which just keeps growing back. Now we just watch it and wait to see what happens. They can try prednisone or other steroids to shrink the tumor, but steroids come with a whole set of lousy side effects. Right now, my little dog's appetite is good, and he is happy. At the dog park, DDRR, he is acting like a two-year old puppy.

[Patty55]

Not cancer is good news. As long as he's happy, eating and active I would just let it alone.

The whole antler, hoof and other animal part chews just gross me out too much to do. Back when the farrier would trim my horses the barn dogs would be flipping out over the pieces-I would gag.

[samhass]

Could you just cook the outside of the chicken necks a little bit? I may try it with my pups.
And Barefoot...I loved your spirited reply.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

A word of warning .. I was giving my small 10-pound dog (Biggins) antlers to chew on, to minimize the need for teeth cleaning. He is 12 years old. Unknown to me, Biggins developed an abrasion on the roof of his mouth (I assume from chewing the antlers which he loved). It turned into a large tumor, bright pink, which is pushing through his teeth, and is very invasive. I took him to a Vet and then to a Speciality Clinic with high-tech Vets and the latest equipment. The Surgeon removed the tumor (cost $2,000).

Bad news: Within five days, the tumor had grown back. Good news: They were able to send all the original tumor to Pathology and it definitely isn't cancer. It is a weird form of scar tissue which just keeps growing back. Now we just watch it and wait to see what happens. They can try prednisone or other steroids to shrink the tumor, but steroids come with a whole set of lousy side effects. Right now, my little dog's appetite is good, and he is happy. At the dog park, DDRR, he is acting like a two-year old puppy.

Barefoot, so very glad it isn't cancer. What a scare. I bought very large antlers for my big dogs and they ad no interest. I was kinda sorry I spent all that money (almost $75) but after hearing your story with Biggins I should count myself lucky that they had no interest. Hope that nasty tumor stays away for good and Biggins makes a swift and uneventful full recovery.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by samhass

Could you just cook the outside of the chicken necks a little bit? I may try it with my pups.
And Barefoot...I loved your spirited reply.

I don't know, but I think cooking might not be a good idea. I was always told to give bones raw because cooking causes splintering.

[batman911]

[QUOTE=paulandjean;576240 My motto always has been Humans first Animals second.[/QUOTE]

But are we not all Gods creations? I would take care of those closest to me be they human or animal.

Also, a warning about chewy strips. Our small dog swallowed a piece of a chewy strip and it got stuck in her throat. Vet could not get it out so she had to have surgery. No more chewy strips for our dogs. Beef bones are the best since they do not splinter (except ribs).