Yeah - the weight isn't a major problem, we just increased the food. We'd increased their walks as well as Murphy and Buffy (and me) were a little overweight. We just went a little too far the other way but compensated.

Murphy loves lamb shanks

Buff is due her booster & check up soon so I will mention to the vet how much she has improved.

Haven't put the cats on RAW yet - they are having their chicken wings for their teeth still and we are introducing different foods but they are being a bit fussy so we won't make the full switch until they are eating a range of foods that will cover all their nutritional requirements.

Smacking with a hammer - haven't needed to do it myself but from what I've read it is perfectly OK. Another trick is to sear the skin of whatever you are feeding, just enough to flavour up the skin but not cook the meat and definately not the bone. A few seconds in a hot pan.

i've been soaking them in hot water for a couple of minutes when they come out of the fridge, makes them a little more interesting for the pooches, but all they do there is eat the flesh...

i'll try the hammer on the next lot i defrost, if that doesn;t work, i;m just going to have to look a little silly & go down to the butchers asking for flat ribs!

Just a heads up to any BARF feeders - Sainsbury's are doing a 'lamb stew' pack of meat at less that £5 a kilo including - if you firtle about a bit to get a good pack - a couple of neck bone pieces and a rack of ribs.

The neck pieces were perfect for the Cresties, the rack was more of a meaty meal for my Glen. But there was meat left over for a stew for us humans. I usually prefer 'proper' butchers, but my branch had lamb kidney on special from the butchery counter and the ox tail was a good price.

I'm also going to say, make sure the dogs get enough fibre and exercise. Han seemed a little in pain after a pork rib meal - had me right worried!! Seemed very like wind and a good walk and good bowl movement later, her was right as rain. But I have been giving them extra veggie pulp and olive oil to ensure good digestion.

Sometimes mine have a bit of a strain too if they've had a lot of bones. I miss out the bones for a day or two & up the veggies & I've never had a problem. Alternatively I'll give them a big beefy marrow bone so they can have a good chew but without eating much bone.

Thanks for info on Sainsburys ~ I'll have a look in our local branch.