Rabbits and Hares for Dogs
These animals, for dogs, constitute one of the best and most natural sources of protein. However, you must be careful with the sharp splinters as they represent a danger, especially when the meat is boiled. But when the dog eats the rabbit in its natural state, with hair and all, etc, the skin that covered in hair prevents the splinters from poking into your dog's intestines or stomach.
Myxomatosis, that horrible disease of rabbits, caused by man, has not been proven to be dangerous for dogs, although many hares have died due to this disease. If a dog gets this disease, you have to treat as if you were treating distemper or canine encephalitis.
I need to add that, if you give your dog raw rabbit or bird meat, in both cases it needs to be fresh, still warm. In fact, the meat of these animals becomes rigid and pretty indigestible when it gets cold.
That's why, when you buy rabbit or bird meat which has been dead for already some time, it is advisable to submerge it hot water, almost at boiling point, keeping it that way for about three minutes. This procedure will make the meat soft and stretchy again, without altering its quality like cooking it would. Then, add some bran or oat flakes to compensate the lack of fiber, resulting from the lack of hair or feathers, ant to avoid the risk of the bones puncturing the stomach or intestines.
