I am having a slight problem with one of my dogs when feeding raw bones. I have given up feeding chicken wings because they are swallowed whole. Today I thought I'd try him with half a chicken, surely he won't be able to swallow that whole. Crunch, crunch swallow was about as good as it got, and down it went. Now of course I'm worrying about blockages etc. The others have all got the message but he just wants to eat as quickly as possible. All I can think of is to give his chicken meals ground up and give him enormous recreational type bones for keeping his teeth clean. Any suggestions?

I started off my dogs by holding the ends whilst they have to chew a bit off.

Hi Anna

I have tried that but it just develops into a tug-of-war, which he invariably wins because the chicken is somewhat slippy to get a grip of, then he eats it quicker in case I try to steal it again!

ahh not sure what else then sorry. Perhaps it ground would be best and then just give rec bones to clean teeth

Try hanging onto the end with a pair of pliers - much safer for your fingers too!

I've had the very same problem with Jasper.  So for a while we gave him ground up chicken wings with huge marrow bones to chew on.  We did persevere with feeding the chicken wings whole though, and found that if there are 2 or 3 in his bowl he does chew them better than giving him one at a time!  Also, if we hold them, we get the same as you, he pulls, wins and gulps it down!!

Try putting a few in his bowl to see how it goes - good luck!
Maria

  

I have found that if I put anything in any of the dogs bowls they all gulp down whatever is in there (I thinks this stems from the Naturediet that they loved but just swallowed and they relate bowls with speedy eating). With the chicken wings/halves I feed on the floor and the others associate that with eating more slowly. However Hamish just seems to think whatever is put down needs to be consumed as quickly as possible.

You might find that you need to feed the bones when the dogs are apart.  I find my youngster gobbles his down if he thinks the older dog is near enough to pinch it!

I have a gluper - for whom I won't give up giving wings - however, I do batter hers with a mallet for a bit first so i know at least the bones are broken up - doesn't seem to stop her enjoyment of them!

Dogs do not chew, they tear, slice, grind etc but they do not chew as they do not have the teeth with which to do it, unlike herbivores.

My dogs often swallow chicken wings whole, not a problem, the stomach acid breaks down the food and they have never yet had a blockage.

If, however you are worried, then grind the food if you wish. 

You are not perhaps contributing to the gulping by either being present or allowing another dog near it whilst eating are you?

Quite often dogs will gulp their food if they feel there is nearby competition; if this is so, try feeding the dog well away from other dogs and remove yourself from the scene.

I think tohme is right I have 2 dogs a 17 monthold and an 8 month old,the older one eats like a proper gentleman ,he weighs 38kg and it takes him about 25 mins to eat a turkey drumbstick,partly as he wont leave his paws touch the meat,the younger one a smaller breed weighs 16kg will eat one in 7-8mins tops,we feed the dogs in separate rooms,but soon realised the younger one will gulp his food even if we are in the room,so we leave him on his own to eat.