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Originally Posted by Judykaye
Thanks for the info about the beef bones. The ones we buy are so strong, I can't see them splintering...but, better to be safe than sorry...
Our girls have had their "bonies" for months and they look just like they did when we bought them...
What are bully sticks? I'll have to check them out...
I am SO HAPPY that Gunner is being a good boy...you know, GSD's are so smart...he'll figure out that the bully stick is a treat for when he's a good boy...Keep us posted on things...Judy
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Oh, these probably aren't the same bones that you buy, then. These are pork bones. We didn't get this particular kind, either - we got the 'natural' bone (Merrick, I think.) I can't see Gunner doing that much of a number on it, to make it splinter, but it still makes me a little nervous.
Here's an article about the ones in question:
The FDA is looking into complaints about Real Ham Bone For Dogs, sold throughout the U.S., an agency spokesman said. If warranted, he said, it will take appropriate action and notify the public.
"We take very seriously any potential harm to pets from products regulated under the federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and encourage consumers to report their concerns to the FDA," the agency said in a statement.
The product -- a smoked pig femur sold as a dog treat or chew bone -- is distributed under the Dynamic Pet Products label of Frick's Quality Meats in Washington, Mo.
"For 20 years or so we've been throwing these bones away," company president Dave Frick told the Washington Missourian newspaper in February 2003. "Then somewhere along the way we realized they could sell, and we started packaging them."
The company said Thursday in a statement that it was saddened to learn of the illnesses and deaths of customers' pets, and that quality and safety remain priorities.
"That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products," the statement said. "We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks."
It also told the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis that the product has generated far more positive than negative consumer response.
The bureau, which has fielded consumer complaints about the Real Ham Bone from throughout the U.S., said Thursday that concerns arose after the bones splintered, then ulcerated or obstructed the dogs' intestines. Consumers reported their dogs had become lethargic or were vomiting. One man came home to find his dog dead, bleeding from the mouth.
Some dogs had to have bone fragments removed surgically, the bureau said, and consumers reported that the company refused to pay resulting veterinary bills when asked.
A Richardson, Texas, woman said the company paid for a new dog after her bull terrier died after eating a bone, according to the BBB.
A warning on the Real Ham Bone package says the pet should be supervised while it consumes the bone, and that the bone should be removed if fragments break off. But consumers told the BBB they hadn't noticed the warning.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Statement released by company:
ST. LOUIS, March 11, 2010 – Rick Jackson, vice president of Operations, Frick’s Quality Meats, the parent company of Dynamic Pet Products, released the following statement today in response to the Better Business Bureau report regarding Real Ham Bone for Dogs.
“At Dynamic Pet Products, our goal is to offer the best pet products to owners and their dogs. We are saddened to learn of the illnesses and deaths of any of our customers’ pets.
“Dynamic Pet Products has been producing bones for pets since 2001, including Real Ham Bone for Dogs. The quality of our products and the safety of the pets that enjoy our products are our top priorities. That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products. We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks.
“For more than 100 years, the Frick’s have provided quality products to families and more recently to their pets. We will continue to provide quality, safe products to our customers.”
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I'd never bought bully sticks before, either. From the looks of them, I guess they're some kind of rawhide, but they're supposed to be a lot safer than the regular old rawhide bones. I think just about every 'dog person' I know has given them at one time or another and I've never heard anything bad about them, so I figured I'd give them a shot.
Of course, I gave one to Gunner when I took Riley for his hike a little bit ago. His eyes lit up and he took it, but after we left, he never touched it. It was laying on the floor, bone dry (no pun intended) when we came back. I guess Mr. Fussy was in too much of a snit to be interested in it. He'll show me! lol. (But he still wasn't barking, so... whatever.
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ETA - I meant to mention earlier -- I've noticed when I'm out walking my guys that I hear quite a few dogs barking around here. So apparently it's not just Gunner. That's good to know.