[Leah00]

This is probably a really dumb question. I know it's really dumb because I can't seem to find the answer from google, which means everyone else in the world already knows.

What is an RMB? I know that it stands for Raw Meaty Bone, but what exactly constitutes as a RMB? Just a bone with meat on it? What are the best types? If I was going to the store tomorrow, what should I be looking for?

I'm asking because I would really like to start giving them to my dogs once a week (or more). I don't think I'll ever be able to go completely raw but I'd like to do what I can.

 

[kafkabeetle]

Raw meaty bones would be bones that the dog is intended to eat, and they become an important part of a raw fed dog's diet, providing calcium and other nutrients. This would include chicken bones which are pretty soft. What constitutes a raw meaty bone can depend on the dog, since some very small dogs might have a hard time getting through something like a chicken thigh (for example), while for larger dogs it would be no problem to crunch through and eat the bone.

The other type of bone you'll hear people talk about is a recreational bone. That's usually something given to entertain your dog or clean their teeth primarily. Since they are so hard most dogs can't get through the bone to eat it (and can crack their teeth trying) so they should be taken away once all the meat is stripped off. For most dogs this would include things like beef ribs and marrow bones.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[Leah00]

Yes, that does help. For some reason I was thinking that chicken legs/thighs had too much meat on them to be a considered an RMB. I guess I was thinking more bone, less meat. If I had to take a guess, I would have probably guessed ribs and been wrong.

I been researching dog (and cat) foods and was very disappointed to find out that kibble doesn't clean teeth like they used to say. The website I read said to give dogs RMBs a few times a week. I'm a detail person and feel like I need step by step instructions.

I know my big ol Buttercup would dig right into any kind of bone, but I'll probably have to find something smaller for my little Jasper.

 

[kafkabeetle]

Yes, that does help. For some reason I was thinking that chicken legs/thighs had too much meat on them to be a considered an RMB. I guess I was thinking more bone, less meat. If I had to take a guess, I would have probably guessed ribs and been wrong.

I been researching dog (and cat) foods and was very disappointed to find out that kibble doesn't clean teeth like they used to say. The website I read said to give dogs RMBs a few times a week. I'm a detail person and feel like I need step by step instructions.

I know my big ol Buttercup would dig right into any kind of bone, but I'll probably have to find something smaller for my little Jasper.

I usually think of it as any bone with meat on it that can be eaten is a RMB. A few times a week sounds pretty good to me for dental health. I would think ribs would be ok for a havanese. You don't have to feed only tiny bones to little dogs. You could try chicken necks or wings instead, but my 20 pound dog chews them up pretty quick so I wouldn't think a dog close to her size would get a whole lot of dental benefit from them.

 

[Sibe]

Turkey necks or pork ribs are what I would recommend. Stay away from marrow bones. They are incredibly dense, hard bones that are known to damage, crack, and break teeth. Beef ribs might be ok but could be too hard.

Other reasons to avoid marrow bones:
http://thebark.com/content/bone-marrow-mishaps#.UAx0zvX098E

 

[Leah00]

Ohmygoodness, that's awful.

 

[adam1120]

..........

 

[chubby]

I am going to chime in with another question here, as you all seem knowledgeable -

For a small breed dog (10 pounds adult weight), would chicken necks and chicken wings be enough to clean their teeth? I also give her elk antlers. What other RMBs would do a good job? Currently she's mostly eating a pre-made raw food, which does nothing to clean her teeth.

Just want to make sure I'm doing everything the best way I can for my dog! Thanks everyone

 

[dagwall]

I'm almost tempted to give Jubel some chicken wings and/or thighs but he tends to be a scarfer and odds are high they'd get 0-2 chomps before swallowing... 2 if I'm lucky but still not likely to do him harm. Just not much dental help either. I need to shop around more. So far I've only see big 3# racks of ribs available as the store and I want to start with a smaller quantity until I see HOW he'll go about chewing/eating them. I can totally see him try and swallow a huge bone and need to visit the vet.

 

[PackMomma]

Turkey necks or pork ribs are what I would recommend. Stay away from marrow bones. They are incredibly dense, hard bones that are known to damage, crack, and break teeth. Beef ribs might be ok but could be too hard.

Other reasons to avoid marrow bones:
http://thebark.com/content/bone-marrow-mishaps#.UAx0zvX098E

I've actually witnesses this first-hand with a family friend's Labradoodle, that required an emergency visit to the vet and having the thing sawed off - wasn't a very pleasant experience for the dog, and ended up costing about $1000 bucks.

I don't give marrow bones often either, occasionally I do but I give them big enough so that they wouldn't get stuck around the jaw like that, and I usually take them away once they've cleaned out the marrow. My Shiba did crack a back tooth on one years ago when he was younger and still a more aggressive chewer, but neither dog chews them very aggressively now.

 

[kafkabeetle]

I am going to chime in with another question here, as you all seem knowledgeable -

For a small breed dog (10 pounds adult weight), would chicken necks and chicken wings be enough to clean their teeth? I also give her elk antlers. What other RMBs would do a good job? Currently she's mostly eating a pre-made raw food, which does nothing to clean her teeth.

Just want to make sure I'm doing everything the best way I can for my dog! Thanks everyone

Yeah, those would be good for a dog that size. Mine is about twice that size and loves them, but chomps through them too quickly for much chewing action.

I'm almost tempted to give Jubel some chicken wings and/or thighs but he tends to be a scarfer and odds are high they'd get 0-2 chomps before swallowing... 2 if I'm lucky but still not likely to do him harm. Just not much dental help either. I need to shop around more. So far I've only see big 3# racks of ribs available as the store and I want to start with a smaller quantity until I see HOW he'll go about chewing/eating them. I can totally see him try and swallow a huge bone and need to visit the vet.

I actually don't think it would be *possible* for him to swallow a whole rib, so long as you buying beef ribs (which are bigger and harder) rather than pork ribs. Personally I'd just go for it and watch him carefully.

 

[dagwall]

I actually don't think it would be *possible* for him to swallow a whole rib, so long as you buying beef ribs (which are bigger and harder) rather than pork ribs. Personally I'd just go for it and watch him carefully.

Haha yeah it would be a challenge to swallow a beef rib but Jubel loves a challenge. It's more likely he'd chew off a chunk of bone and swallow that. He did do that just over a week ago with one of the deer antlers. Chewed off a chunk that was very irregularly shaped but almost as big as a golf ball at it's widest diameter. I heard the crunch that broke it off, looked over and saw the chunk, before I had time to reach over and grab it it was in his mouth and down his throat.

Kept a close eye on him after that for signs of trouble. He continued to eat, drink, and poop normally so I assumed the antler was "soft" enough to dissolve in his stomach. Two days later he wakes me up around 1am smacking his lips. I spent 20-30 minutes nudging him and telling him to knock it off before my brain connected his lip smacking as a precursor to puking. I say "Jubel? You need to go potty?" and he jumps from bed and runs to the door, asking him if he needs to go potty represents pretty much any need to go out in the backyard though he will usually pee on command to 'go potty' as well. Once out in the back yard he pukes, I saved the examination for the morning rather than having to trek out with a flashlight. I did find what I believe to be what was left of the antler chunk when I picked it up in the morning, it was pretty soft by them.

So yeah he chews aggressively enough I do worry about him breaking off a chunk and eating it. Also he'd likely find it high value enough to avoid me taking it away from him. His usual tactic is picking up the treasured item and running away, scarfing it down if possible. I'm thinking he'll really love it so trading UP would be pretty difficult. Silly hound making things difficult haha.

 

[wishiwas]

My 10 lb dog has swallowed a chicken neck whole, FYI, so be careful if you give small pieces like that even to a small dog. Don't underestimate the little guys. Mine can eat all parts of a chicken or rabbit, pork ribs, part of a pork leg.