Dog Bone Curing

[vonndogleg]

Maybe a strange question, but i'm looking for a mixture to cure meat bones for dogs so they won't mold...anyone got any input??  Just don't want it too salty for the dog, but to preserve for when a whole bunch are smoked...

[Wildcat]

I normally just wrap and toss in the freezer until she deserves one. ;D

[vonndogleg]

It was a question asked by a guy i am working with right now who has his fingers involved in a butcher shop...trying to make them keep for long periods of time without having to freeze...

[PetersCreek]

The Wife® often accuses me of being a food nazi where the dog is concerned...so I'm not at all sure I'd recommend curing bones for pooch, especially if it involves any kind of cooking or close-to-cooking-like process.  Doing so can make bones brittle and much more hazardous for dogs.  Even if you're talkin' about cold smoking, I'd be leery of introducing curing agents to a dog's diet without more research.

My dawg doesn't get too many bones...just the occasional fresh beef knuckle...and long before they get funkified, out they go. 

[iceman]

The Wife® often accuses me of being a food nazi where the dog is concerned...so I'm not at all sure I'd recommend curing bones for pooch, especially if it involves any kind of cooking or close-to-cooking-like process.  Doing so can make bones brittle and much more hazardous for dogs.  Even if you're talkin' about cold smoking, I'd be leery of introducing curing agents to a dog's diet without more research.

My dawg doesn't get too many bones...just the occasional fresh beef knuckle...and long before they get funkified, out they go. 

Gotta agree there with you on that. Vet said no cures, no added salt, and get the bone away before it splinters to much. Happy pouch and no vet bills.

[Gizmo]

I too would be worried about the nitrites and nitrates in the cures.  Found out recently that they eat away at the non-stick surfaces of pans.  Funny thing though, won't stop me from making bacon or other products.   ;D  Just wouldn't want to risk the pups without the knowledge.
Good luck on your research.  I would think the best cure would be to toss them in a pot, make beef stock out of them, then feed them to the hounds.  Nothing left to rott but the pooch will still give it a chomp.

[coyote]

Seems to me the may go in as a bone , but during consumption...could have a splintering action. ???
               
                                                                                            Coyote
                                             
                                                                                     

[LilSmoker]

Hi vonndogleg, well i wouldn't have the faintest idea how to preserve the bones safely for dogs, so your question got me quite curious, after googling etc i found these people:

http://www.luckydogbones.com/

Maybe they could give you some advice and info?, but they'll probably tell you it's a secret recipe etc, might be worth talking to them though  ;)

[PetersCreek]

I would think the best cure would be to toss them in a pot, make beef stock out of them, then feed them to the hounds.  Nothing left to rott but the pooch will still give it a chomp.

As I mentioned, giving cooked bones to dogs isn't generally considered a good idea...boiled bones included.

[LilSmoker]

Well this may be a silly question but why smoke dog bones?, do dogs enjoy the smoke flavour just like some humans?, or is there another reason for smoking/preserving them? I would have thought a dog would prefer the bone raw, with nice moist marrow etc?

Anyway i just wondered  ???

[jaeger]

Why don't you just smoke some pig ears instead?  ;)

[PetersCreek]

Well this may be a silly question but why smoke dog bones?, do dogs enjoy the smoke flavour just like some humans?, or is there another reason for smoking/preserving them? I would have thought a dog would prefer the bone raw, with nice moist marrow etc?

Well, my dog loves the smoke flavor and smell...but then, he eats crunchy cat crap outta the litter box, too.  Obviously, dogs aren't too discriminating when it comes to taste.  While their sense of smell is many thousands of times better than ours, we humans actually have more taste buds and can distinguish more flavors.  It doesn't stop 'em from likin' what smells good, though.

[Buck36]

We give our dog smoked bones as a treat and have never had a problem. They are always the huge bones that are in the link listed above. I would love to know how long they would need to be smoked to make them at home.

http://www.askthemeatman.com/benefits_of_chewing_smoked_dog_b.htm

Bones are good choices for dogs to chew as long as they are not too small or too brittle. Chicken bones, for example, are small and could splinter easily, getting caught in your dog's throat or digestive system. The best bones generally come from the femur (leg bone) of a large animal, such as a cow. They are very dense so they don't splinter, yet are a manageable size for a dog to handle.

[sausman]

My guesss is you could dip them in a potasium sorbate solution to retard molding.

[coyote]

When you get right down to it , after all the time and work and expense....why not just set another
place at the table ? ;D