Hi
Each sunday, after having her nails clipped, ears cleaned and general all over check-up - I give my hound a knuckle bone by way of reward. My question is: how long per sitting do your dogs take to devour them? Usually she gets distracted, tired or has demolished it in about 40 mins, but today's bone must be particularly challenging....she's been chomping away for nearly 2 hours now All joking aside and, as a newbie...is this OK, the duration I mean? I'm always watching over her when she has bones, so as usual, I've checked her mouth and teeth, as well as the bone itself....all looks absolutely fine. Admittedly, she's now lying down by my feet while eating the bone instead of standing, so she's certainly tiring a little.
Sorry if this is a silly question, but once I get a 'concern' in my head, I just have to come to you all for advice. :)
Thanks ever such alot
Jo
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It would depend on the size of your hound tbh :)

Also, there isnt a set rule about how long a bone should last. Some dogs lick them for ages first (mine :rolleyes:) then chew them. I gave my dog a lamb shoulder bone the other day, before I cooked the lamb I cut it out. That lasted him about 6 hours, lol. He's only a little terrier, but he didnt give up on it.

Basically, amongst all that waffeling, it doesnt matter how long it takes them. :D

Thank you Gonzo, your reply wasn't waffle at all :) It reassured me that Rosie was OK chomping away for as long as she did. Don't know why, but I started to worry if there was a 'cut-off' point, but seeing as your little Terrier can go for 6 hours ....then I've certainly nothing to worry about.
Kind Regards & thanks again.
Jo
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Is she actually *eating* the bone or just chewing at it.

Knuckle bones are for recreation to clean their teeth, but if a dog is chewing hard enough to actually break down the bone or eat it then they are chewing too hard and could actually damage their teeth (fracture them, etc), and in that case I would no longer give them the knuckle bones.

Wendy

...........OMG, now I do have something to worry about. Thanks Wendy. No more Knuckle bones for my girl anymore :(
Jo
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If she is supervised you could still give them to her until she's cleaned off the meat from the outside and a bit of the marrow, but take them away before she starts to break them down. 

Wendy

Oh No!  Saffy always eats the whole thing and I always thought that was okay - sort of natural... now I will have to reconsider giving her bones.  Its a shame though because she loves them!

Fiona

same here he will eat the whole thing in about 1 hour.but he has never damaged his teeth on any.so i guess there is a new rule,chew but not eat................he will look at me gone out when i take it off him.lol

Are these cow knuckle bones they are devouring.? If they are,rather than stopping feeding boned altogether try feeding a bone which is meant to be eaten...E.G.ribs.You could also try feeding the occasional pigs trotter...good for cleaning the teeth aswell as a good meal.
Archer

Well I've given my dogs marrow bones for many years without problems of broken teeth etc.    Some of them get fed up after a while but others devour them until there is nothing left.  The only thing I have to watch out for is that one of my older bitches can get constipated after too much bone so she is resticted to rib bones at present since if she had a marrow bone she would eat the lot and then try and nick someone elses.