Feeding a dog raw chicken legs with bones?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

A buddy of mine is dog-sitting a co-worker's dog. It's a young (1 yr old?) Pit-type mix - sweet as can be male pup. I'll admit I'm no fan of Pits - especially un-fixed males - but this dog has grown on me the past week I've been doing work on my friend's house. He keeps attacking me - lick attacks every time get close to the ground while working.

Anyway, the food my friends were given to feed the pup while in their care is raw chicken legs. Bones and all! - and cheese for snacks.

Two things come to mind.

1.) Is this dog in for a perforated colon?

2.) Are we dealing with some d-bag who wants a "tough" Pit-Bull dog on a raw meat diet?

I've heard of raw diets for dogs but never feeding a dog chicken bones.

[NV Whino]

1. Chicken bones are a no, no

for dogs or cats. They splinter and create all sorest of havoc.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. Raw chicken bones are safe, and very healthy.

It's cooked bones that can splinter and are dangerous.

I have been raw-feeding my pack for years. Chicken quarters and chicken backs are a big part of their diet, because they tend to cost less than other meats (but you do want to give some red meat and organs also).

Kudos to your friends for feeding their dog real food! They will avoid so many of the health problems and bad teeth suffered by kibble-fed dogs.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Well that's a relief! I was worried about the little (big) guy.

I remember my childhood dog getting a hold of a cooked chicken leg - I never saw a dog gag like that in my life... and still haven't. I remember his shoulder blades, chest and neck heaving to dis-lodge the bone or whatever that was apparently caught in his throat. He made it ok but it was frightening.