[janice]

Hello All

I have a question for those who have terriers patterdale/border terrier
just would like to know what you feed them on and if you feed raw chicken wings if so how many aday/week and is it a treat or as a main meal,
just want to know your views as i have 3 in the family they are 8 months old
and have an active life style

Thanks

[Furbilator]

Chicken wings are a possible choking hazard so I have never fed anything other than the meat with all bones removed. Others may have had no issues but I've always been cautious about chicken. Raw meat is OK as long as you feed it fresh, it comes from a Salmonella free source and you insure that nothing is left in unrefrigerated conditions. Wash the meat thoroughly before feeding to insure that any intestinal bacteria (coliforms, e-coli, etc.) that may have come in contact with the meat are washed away. Raw is generally not something I recommend because of the high hazard risk of food poisoning due to contamination from intestinal flora to poor handling sanitation. There are those that have had good luck with a raw diet and so if you follow good sanitary practises you may as well.

JMHO
Furbs

[JessicaR]

generally chicken wings are too small for most dogs, and dont have enough meat to bone ratio, which can cause constipation. I have given my sheltie wings before and she did fine, but she chews her food. If she was a gulper I wouldnt give them to her. usually I just use the wings as a treat maybe once every other week. I usually feed chicken thighs and backs. When Belles puppies are old enough to eat solid foods I will be giving them a wing to chew on.

Turkey wings are another good treat, again to much bone to meat ratio, but good for cleaning teeth.

I wouldnt be too concerned with bacteria if you have seen some of the stuff dogs eat, raw meat isnt nearly that bad! my dogs just ate deer ribs I got from my husbands friend, they had been sitting outside for 3 days before I got them. Granted it is winter and temps have been below freezing, I wouldnt do something like that in the summer. All dogs are fine no one got sick or even got the runs. Dogs have a higher acid level in their stomach that allows them to eat meat that isnt fit for human consumption.

[SchnauzkyLVR]

I wouldn't advise feeding small pieces of meat with bones in general..might get stuck or hurt on the way down and could cause problems...

i would think that cooked chicken is ok...then there wont be a risk for salmonela

[Furbilator]

Originally Posted by JessicaR

generally chicken wings are too small for most dogs, and dont have enough meat to bone ratio, which can cause constipation. I have given my sheltie wings before and she did fine, but she chews her food. If she was a gulper I wouldnt give them to her. usually I just use the wings as a treat maybe once every other week. I usually feed chicken thighs and backs. When Belles puppies are old enough to eat solid foods I will be giving them a wing to chew on.

Turkey wings are another good treat, again to much bone to meat ratio, but good for cleaning teeth.

I wouldnt be too concerned with bacteria if you have seen some of the stuff dogs eat, raw meat isnt nearly that bad! my dogs just ate deer ribs I got from my husbands friend, they had been sitting outside for 3 days before I got them. Granted it is winter and temps have been below freezing, I wouldnt do something like that in the summer. All dogs are fine no one got sick or even got the runs. Dogs have a higher acid level in their stomach that allows them to eat meat that isnt fit for human consumption.

Normally, I would agree with you about dog's having a higher tolerance to offal contamination, however with Salmonella that is common in chickens dogs can and do die or become very ill if the meat is contaminated or is rotten due to lack of proper refrigeration. Again, I would err on the side of caution just to be safe.

[janice]

Thanks for your reply's , i get the chicken wings fresh and are thourouly washed befor they have them , they have them as a treat once a week
there main food James wellbeloved junior.
Thanks