Meat/bone grinder

[ahowe1]

Is it worth getting a meat/bone grinder? I am just starting BARF and am noticing some of the beef bones (shank) are kind of small....about 2-3 inches in diameter. I'm just cutting the meat off because I'm not comfortable giving him the smaller bones. I'm worried he will choke. I was going to throw the bones out. So, that said, do any of you grind your own food for your dogs? I read the Bravo brand beef chub and it's just meat, organs and bone but seems kind of pricey. I'm wondering if I could grind it myself if I have the right ratio or if I should bother.

[Lin]

I do not grind any meat for my dogs. With a grinder, you will only be grinding RMBs which are the bones soft enough for consumption. A beef shank bone is not a RMB, its too hard for consumption.

Unless there is a reason for grinding such as a dog without teeth I wouldn't do any grinding. Even small dogs or cats that are otherwise healthy have no problems with the appropriate bones. One of the best things about raw diet is the chewing of bones keeping the teeth clean. Chewing up bones also helps provide the necessary chewing stimulation for the dog and keep jaw muscles strong. Fully ground food doesn't require any of that to consume.

If you're going to do your own raw diet though the ratio of bone is very important. You need to have the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio. Meat contains phosphorus without calcium, bone contains calcium with small levels of phosphorus. For this reason I think its safer to err on the side of too much bone than too little when I'm feeding my dogs.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by ahowe1

Is it worth getting a meat/bone grinder? I am just starting BARF and am noticing some of the beef bones (shank) are kind of small....about 2-3 inches in diameter. I'm just cutting the meat off because I'm not comfortable giving him the smaller bones. I'm worried he will choke. I was going to throw the bones out. So, that said, do any of you grind your own food for your dogs? I read the Bravo brand beef chub and it's just meat, organs and bone but seems kind of pricey. I'm wondering if I could grind it myself if I have the right ratio or if I should bother.

The only grinders that can handle ANY type of beef bone are industrial $$,$$$ grinders!!

The best you can hope for is getting a grinder that will grind chicken, rabbit and maybe turkey necks.

But most adult GSDs can handle those without a problem!

Beef bones, in my opinion, are only good for recreational bones. Raw Meaty Bones are meant to be consumed rather quickly - like a chicken leg.