[Jacqueline]

so i'm in the process of letting my shih tzu experiment with different kinds of dog foods, and im seriously considering switching him over to raw.. but not until i educate myself a little more on it. recently ive been very interested in canine nutrition. i used to feed my dogs iams, and he has HORRIBLE allergies. he licks his paws and they turn a red colour. right now he is on a higher end kibble, called go! natural but it is too soon to see any results. i was at my favourite dog boutique today and looking through the freezer of raw foods.. and was like, hm. i wanna get my lil guy something - so the lady recommended chicken necks. right now they are thawing in the refrigerated.. and i was wondering, is it unheard of for a shih tzu to eat chicken necks? im gonna give them as a treat for him.. one every week? does that make sense? my dad thinks the bones are way too big for him - what are your thoughts? thanks..

[cigwyllt]

I've not given mine chicken necks - wouldn't know where to buy them - but they have had wings since Manny was a tiny pup - about 10 weeks old. Manny is a small Jack Russell and Ojo is a very delicately built Jack Russell/Patterdale cross so they are not big dogs and they both enjoy raw chicken (legs or wings) for breakfast most days. Keep a close eye on him the first time you feed it but I'm sure he will love it.

[Lunareclipse]

I've not heard bad things about chicken necks. I've heard of people giving them to their show dogs as a natural way of keeping their teeth clean. They normally give them chicken necks about once or twice a week.

[CorkyMax]

I use to give my now gone Corky (golden/cocker) chicken necks all the time and he never had any problems with them. My Max (pure cocker) was iffy on them--I use to cut them in pieces for him and he would chew on them till they were gone but he got so he didn't want them at all. You should watch what your dog does with a whole neck--Will he chew on them slowly and thoroughly or will he try to 'gulp' them down? If you don't like the way he handles them---You could put it/them in a plastic bag or encase them in several thicknesses of newspaper and pound them with a hammer or a meat mallot--you know the utensil you can tenderize meat with by pounding on it--I forgot what this is called. Or even put the wrapped necks on the driveway and run over them with the car. I never tried this as didn't really need to. There are also meat grinders but you need a good one as bones are harder to grind than meat. Just make sure there are no sharp pieces if you try crushing them--A whole neck really doesn't have sharp edges--but I did spy one once in a while where the butcher had made the cut on the end of the neck---usually a thin longer bone kind of hanging at the end.

Let us know how things go if you try them. I use to give Corky about 5-6 at one time for his breakfast meal--with nothing else. Of course he would eat more than your dog being as he was a much larger breed. Was one of his favorite meals!---Even though I fed raw most of the time--home-cooked otherwise. I never feed any commercial dog food.

You are right to study up on feeding raw before attempting it--Have to make sure things are balanced and getting the right nutrients/supplements.

You might want to read this long thread (but worth the read) I did in this forum a while back: Foods that are hazardous to a dog

[MIA'SO3]

Hi Jacquline,I hope I have spelt your name,do apologise if I have'nt. I have given my Maltese Shitzu x chicken necks and she loves but don't go overboard with them every now and again is ok.I learnt from the vet that it is ok and not everyday like I was doing,I am a new dog owner. I have had her for about 5months now and she is three years of age I still dont know everything there is to know about my dogs breed but I do know I love her to bits.I am pleased to hear that there is another Maltese owner on this forum.

Angie

[Lara's mom]

Hmmmm...Both necks and wings have small bones in them. I really have to wonder at the wisdom of feeding them. My girls get lots of chicken but, it is cooked, cut up and very carefully checked for bones before they get it.

[Lunareclipse]

Cooked chicken bones are what you have to watch out for. Raw should be fine.