How Many Marrow Bones Per Week?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud has never been a big eater.  It is  hard to judge how much he is actually eating, but I think I need to start a journal. His eating habits don't bother me; a 1 1/2 cups a day maybe, then on day three or four, he lays on the floor and does a big meal.  Still, he eats under the RDA of Acana- 21/2-41/2 per day.  His weight was good at his last vet visit.

I doubt he is taking in a cup a day recently.  Could be just him.  He does that on occasion or could be due to the events of the last 6 weeks. I think that is normal too.  It may be just some grief. Also, winter months mean less exercise = less  hunger.

The last two weeks, I have been giving him marrow bones to keep him happy and to keep him quiet while DH works some strange hours and also to supplement his lack of interest in eating.

With all this talk about pancreatitis I began to wonder how many marrow bones per week would be an acceptable amount for a 57lb dog?

In beef, is the marrow in the long bone primarily fat, as it is in humans?

Just wondering how much bone marrow is too much?  How much fat is in one bone marrow?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree.  Pacifica really smells.  Smells for days on the breath.  No thanks.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Makes sense.  I just recently began boiling the bones because he was not touching those either.  That was a first--again,I think it was a normal course of events.   But this did make him interested in the bones and he started eating them again.

The broth certainly was fatty.

So, boiling removes a lot of this fat? 

If I am giving him about 5 a week, do you think that is way too much? I'm beginning to think I've screwed up here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

5 a week is a lot, but if you're removing most of the marrow, the bones themselves are not a problem unless he breaks one. :)

Boiling does remove some of the fat. JD's chicken has to be boiled and not baked, broiled or microwaved, for this reason.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just saw your answer above about Spud only wanting the marrow, not the bones. :(

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I think you have all helped me.  He is cut off!  LOL

I hate to post this on a web site but F.J. is working nights.  Spud is a barker. He barks all evening.   I have been giving bones to keep him quiet.  Even after a walk, car rides, hours of fetch, well.... I give those bones when I need some down time.  A babysitter.  I was also worried because he is a tad depressed and like an ethnic mother--I try to feed HIM   :)

But I see now, this is NOT the answer

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

P.S. Karen

Nope, Spud does nothing with the bone after the marrow is gone.  Remember, it is F.J. that plays with the bones.  Wind chimes

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Darn, I forgot about those windchimes! I just threw away all of JD's old marrow bones, I could have commissioned a nice set of windchimes for my crabapple tree!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Blah.  I am so sure you can live without one.  Trust me

[F, Calla & Luca]

The broth removes some of the fat but I push the rest out with whatever fits inside. But I make them rarely. I froze some prepared ones and gave them to the doods about a month or two ago. They have the old bones around and Calla particularly still chews on them. They last forever.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have never tried antlers.  This may be an idea.  I think he and I will take a ride together on Friday and go get him some new things. 

I hope he starts cheering up soon.   But I think some mind stimulation is in order here. Not bones.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

What about kong, food puzzles or other dispensers? Hugs to spud:) rosey is a barker too..

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yap at cha, Rosie.  Woof