I have a small mountain of raw bones in my living room. I was just sitting there looking at them last night and I wondered if they should be cleaned or cooked? Is there any chance of bacteria or anything that I should be worried about?

I guess it depends what kind of bones they are and how long they have been there for. I wouldn't cook the bones, because they have a better chance at splintering and hurting you're dog.

I would be more worried about my house getting bacteria and diseases that could hurt me more then I would about feeding them to my dogs. If I were you, I would store them in some sort of container/baggy in the freezer. Then give them to the dog's. Giving it to them frozen lasts longer. I personally would throw the ones you have away and get fresh.

They were frozen before I gave them to the dogs. The bones have been chewed clean. Do you throw them out immediately after the dog has chewed on them?

Old recreational bones that have been chewed clean and left can become even harder with age. This can sometimes cause the dog's teeth to break/chip.

DONT cook bones! Cooking them makes them weak and splinter which is potentially deadly to the dog.

I agree with Kelly about the bacteria in the house. Also the mess that meaty bones leave behind will be on your carpets etc.

After my dog's have chewed/cleaned the bones I throw them out immediately. I only give them one at a time, so I know exactly how many to look for when they are finished. The dog's have caught on to this, so they try to hide them, which is always a fail lol.

ok, thanks.

If you want something you can leave around you're house without having to worry about bacteria and still have something for them to chew, I would recommend getting antlers. They are hard as bone and mine LOVE to chew them! They last a good while too.

woops! Just realized that I posted this in the training forum. Sorry!