Our dogs are currently fed on dry dogfood (Chicken Soup) supplemented with salmon oil and, I was wondering if it was okay to give them knucklebones/soupbones to gnaw on, for teeth cleaning purposes?

I originally thought I'd give it a try but, after some consideration, I felt that this may create some sort of inbalance. Not to mention the added calcium.

If it is okay, how often should I give it to our dogs, 2-3 times a week perhaps? Should I give it to them frozen?

I appreciate your time.

RAW bones are great for the teeth, and gives the dog something to do. Doesn't matter if they're frozen or not, though it's easier on the dog if it's at least partially thawed. (Remember, raw bones; not smoked or cured, or cooked.)
The dog will not only get the benefit from gnawing (emotionally and teeth cleaning-wise), but if the bones have any marrow, that's very good for them too.

A couple of precautions, based on personal experience:
1) do not give these bones in the house....unless you are there to supervise that they don't get eaten on the living room carpet (eeewwww!)
2) If you must give them in the house, keep track of them (the bones); if your dog comes to you with a happy grin, but no bone, start looking for places it could have been hidden, ie, the potted plant, the water bucket, under the bed, tucked in the clean clothes basket, hidden in the dirty clothes basket, and the very worst: shoved under your bed pillow which you won't discover until you go to sleep and slip your hands under said pillow.

Needless to say, our dogs only get bones OUTSIDE now. Where we later find them covered with ants....in the flower bed, under porch, behind the garbage bin, on top of the hose reel, between the storage boxes in the garage, etc, etc.

But the dogs are happy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I give my dog a kuckle bone probably 4 to 5 times a week. I also like to put it in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes to let it thaw out.

YOu mentioned dogs, as in more than one. I don't know what your feeding situation is but separate them if you give them bones. Many multiple dog homes can eat right next to one another when eating kibble. Give them a bone and the $#!+ will hit the fan. That's almost a sure bet.

uh...Bob...just noticed your post was directed at mine.

Yes, multiple dogs. One dominant male who doesn't even have to protect his bone: NO other dog gets near him!
One sensitive bitch who will not go after the male's bone, but woe to him if he tries to take hers.
One old lady mutt (13? yrs old)who has no practically no teeth, weighs only 12 lbs, doesn't chew bones anymore but is smart enough to stay out of the way.
One puppy who would get chewed up, cause she's still young enough to think they should share...

And of course baby gates and doors separating the kitchen/utility/garage/yard keeps everyone "nice". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ann.

I've experience the pillow. That's the worst!!!!! Under the couch coushion isn't fun either!

To eliminate the carpet problem, we put in wood laminate. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ann, from all of your posts, I realize your familiar with the delights <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> of owning multiple dogs. I was answering the original poster because there was no comment about his expieriences with multiples. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Aren't knucklebones too large and hard? I thought these bones causeed teeth problems (ie: wearing down and breakage). I am just starting to feed my dog raw, and everything I've read says to stay away from these large, weight bearing bones. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

They're not to be used as a meat/bone source but are for recreational chewing. I get the slaughterhouse to cut the knuckle bones down a bit and give to the dogs occasionally.