How robust are dogs when it comes to old raw food?

[Deleted]

I only ask because I just caught my 28kg Australian Shepard cross tearing into a garbage bag and eating old ferret food. I'm less worried about the meat (2-3 days old at most) than I am about the bones which could have been more than 48 hours old and thus dry and brittle.

I have read that dogs are a lot more robust when it comes to eating spoiled things but should I be all that concerned about the bone? I've have dogs rip into garbages and eat COOKED chicken bones before and end up being just fine but my mom (who isn't quite on board with the raw thing 100%) is freaking out a bit so I said I'd double check.

The meat and bones wouldn't be older than 3 days, because that the last time I changed the garbage.

[Sherry]

Given that dogs have been known to bury their food for several days to a week before digging it up and eating it I think they should be fine. It generally takes longer than that for the bones to dry out and become brittle anyway. Especially if they are in a warm, somewhat moist area like a garbage can.

[acodlin]

I would think they would be okay. My ferrets have stashed chicken wings before and Kenzie found them (yorkie/maltese mix) a couple of days later and she ate it and was fine. Dogs like stinky nasty rotting things. Theres a chow down the road from me that I've seen eating dead deer that have been along side the road for a few days.

[Deleted]

Very disgusting but valid points, thanks guys! She seems fine today