I've read alot here about feeding raw food, the BARF diet, etc etc, and it seems that alot of people feed chicken wings.

So, I decided I would try it. I've read that if you haven't fed chicken wings before, to hold onto them while the dog is eating it to help the dog learn to chew, or even mince it or 'pulverise' it.

I 'pulverised' it with something hard, (got rid of alot of pent up anger!!) and held it while one of my dogs chewed on it. He loved it. The only thing is, and I know uncooked bones are softer, is that the bones did seem harder than what I was expecting.

I chickened out (pardon the pun) of letting him eat the whole thing, I was to worried that maybe I shouldn't have pulverised it, and maybe it the bones that had been broken were too hard and may get stuck, or pierce his insides. Are these normal anxieties? Or should I just let him have it and see how he gets on?

I have recently started feeding Barf and was a bit nervous at first but bit the bullet and they were fine :)

I just give them whole and they go down without any problems

Ditto :) :) :)  Even if they do bring one up half/totally unchewed they crunch it up next time round :D

I am amazed how quickly the gannets eat them

Since feeding Barf they have an amazing enthusiasm for food time :D :D

Brill ain't it :D 

My youngster never got excited about any food at all - real take ir or leave it attitude (more often than not the latter :rolleyes: ) now she's salivating at the fridge door :D :D :D   She's literally piled on pounds in a few weeks which were much needed as she was skinny to the point of scrawny whereas for the first time ever she's now "just right" so I will have to keep an eye on her!

Long may it continue :)

I have had to put my two tubbies on a diet as have been a bit too over zealous with the amount I have been feeding

It just get so much satisfaction watching them wolf the food down :rolleyes:

We are all on diets now :D :D

Well the first time one of mine basically gulped without chewing and up it came exactly as it went down - he then munched it and we have never had a repeat performance.  Most of mine now manage carcusses without any trouble too.

If I were you I would now go for an unpulverised one and see how he gets on!

I have an 11yo who is lacking some of her dentures and manages just fine on whole wings! :)

Thanks guys, feel a bit better now. I'll try just giving a whole one and seeing what happens. Watch this space!!

I tried my lot this morning with chicken wings. The old boy (nearly 14), that I was worried about, just took it then laid down and crunched his way through it - success! The Dobe that usually just swallows things took it and crunched, spat it out, pulled a bit off it then crunched and swallowed - more success! Hattie and Hamish ate theirs a bit too quickly for my liking, but did crunch a bit before swallowing. The only failure was the fussy Spaniel, as I expected, she took it, dropped it, then spent ages just looking at it. So I guess 4 out of 5 ain't bad.

Pedlee I had one the same - but he now tucks in quite happily - persistance paid off with him.  It was more surprise with him like - "wow is this for me - really for me!  oh great thanks!"  now he too happily munches on the carcusses - he still looks with great surprise each meal! 

Just thought I'd let you know. I bit the bullet and just let my boy have one, no pulverising or mincing, just whole!!

I did the washing up while he ate it, to take my mind off it a bit and to be there 'just in case'.

He kept looking at me as if to say, 'can I really', and he chewed on it and chewed on it, I could hear him crunching the bones, so I felt much better. I think it was more the thought that he wouldn't crunch the bones, and just swallow it. He loved it, so I am now converted!!

The next problem is teaching my other one to chew and not gulp!! I guess I'll have to hold it for him so he can learn to chew.

Well done - glad to hear it went okay!

I'm sure your other one will get hang of it soon.

Rach