Is it true rawhide isn't good for dogs?

Question

If so what else can I give her to chew on that has taste to it?

Answer 1

yes it is true. Our 5 month old Beagle just had surgrey last week for blockage of the colon. Caused by raw-hide. They get really gooey when the dog chews them but the pieces harden back up as it goes though the intestines and causes blockage or cuts. We were lucky.

Answer 2

Some vets believe that as a dog chews on rawhide, it gets gooey. Then the dog can bite off and swallow large, gooey bits of rawhide which can cause obstructions in the dog's intestine. I'm not sure how true or prevalent that problem is, but it is something that has been claimed.

Answer 3

There are definite risks associated with these treats, however. All three types are supposedly made of digestible animal products. However, they are digested quite slowly and, if consumed rapidly, can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. If the treats are swallowed whole or in large chunks, there are additional dangers. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down.

Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332
Greenies - The company who makes Greenies claim they are 85% digestible. Some dogs have died as a direct result of eating Greenies.
Nylabones can become sticky and lodge in the back of the throat causing an obstruction. The clear ones usually cannot be detected upon x-ray, so the vet may not know that there is a blockage without doing an exploratory.

Cow hooves are even more dangerous than rawhides. They are hard enough that a dog can actually break a tooth on one. They can also be chewed up into sharp fragments which may cause a partial intestinal obstruction. Partial obstructions are often difficult to diagnose until the point at which the fragment is ready to perforate the wall of the bowel from pressure against the sharp edges. If perforation has occurred, the infection that ensues from leakage of intestinal contents can be fatal
Pig ears can cause GI upset if overeaten, similar to the situation with rawhides, although obstructions are less common because the ears are not usually shaped into solid chunks. There is, however, a less widely known danger associated with pig ears: A recent FDA advisory published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human services on Oct.1, 1999, stated that there is "a nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of recent cases in Canada of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials (e.g., pigs ears, beef jerky treats, smoked hooves, pigs skins, etc.)... FDA is urging pet owners... to handle them carefully. Anyone who comes in contact with these treats should wash their hands with hot water and soap. Initial reports of illnesses came from Canada and involved Canadian products, but subsequent examination of similar products produced in the U.S. indicate that all pet chew products of this type may pose a risk...."

Bully Sticks also known as Bully's, are 100% digestible and as far as we know, have produced no known problems in dogs.

As with any edible treat given to your dog, use your discretion and always be present when they are consuming them.

Answer 4

Rawhide is probably the most popular type of chewing device that dogs enjoy. Go to any pet supply store or any store that sells pet supplies and you will find an abundance of rawhide chews in every size, shape and color. Unfortunately, some types of rawhide could be dangerous for your pet. Learn about rawhide dangers and how you can prevent any unnecessary harm to your dog.


Any dog owner knows how much puppies and adult dogs chew. They chew on slippers, carpet, furniture, walls, etc. To prevent the ultimate destruction of their homes, they run out and buy gobs of chew toys for their dogs. A large percentage of what they buy will be rawhide.

WHAT IS RAWHIDE?


Rawhide is literally the outside of a cow – the skin. It provides dogs with a satisfying chewing experience and it’s cheap and easy to find. So how can it be dangerous?


HIDDEN DANGERS


Dr. John Wedeking, an Iowa veterinarian, remembers hearing about rawhide in the news.


“Reports of arsenic contamination popped up in papers once,” he says, but adds that it came from another country.


Since rawhide is not regulated in any way, it could happen again. These foreign hides may also contain other detrimental things such as antibiotics, lead, or insecticides that could adversely affect the health of your dog.


Wedeking adds that dogs can easily choke on it when the original large rawhide object is chewed down to a smaller piece.


“Choking is a hazard, and rawhide can cause gastric irritation when dogs chew on it often,” he says. Wedeking adds that gastric irritation can also cause vomiting and extreme discomfort in dogs.


WHAT YOU CAN DO


If you’re going to give your dog rawhide, then offer it in limited quantity, and throw away the small chewed-down pieces. Consider the pressed rawhide that is made up of tiny pieces of rawhide and “glued” together with a gelatin base. Always watch your dog carefully for any adverse reactions.


Choose rawhide made in the United States to make sure your dog isn’t getting anything potentially dangerous. The better brands cost a little more but worth every penny if you consider the cost of veterinarian bills and a sick pet. Choose rawhide bones and other shapes in proportion to the size of your dog to prevent choking.


There are also wonderful alternatives to rawhide. Pet supply stores are everywhere, and carry many diverse alternatives including vegetable and meat-flavored bones made from potato starch, bones made from extremely strong rubber infused with flavorings, and corn-starch based bones also infused with flavor. All of these but the rubber ones break apart into tiny pieces while being chewed. Once they are chewed down to a small piece that your dog could swallow, discard it. All of these bones except for the rubber-based ones are easily digestible.


Offer your dog a variety of chewing alternatives and choose them responsibly. Your pet may thank you by forgetting about your furniture and your slippers…and your favorite chair…and the toilet paper roll...

Answer 5

Well as far as the rawhide itself, I don't think it's any harm to them. I would recommend the natural white ones if you're concerned about nutrition and avoiding artificial flavoring. It might cause danger if the dog doesn't know how to chew and swallow it properly. I give rawhide bones to my dog all the time and she's fine.

Answer 6

My vet told me it is not good for them, their main concern is that it is not highly digestible and can easily cause stomach blockage. I replaced rawhide with tendons, and bully sticks. The bully sticks are a little expensive but last forever. Try to find a hollistic petshop they carry a lot of those all natural and highly digestible chews. Also a company called Red Barn makes several different ones.

Answer 7

Rawhide isn't good for small dogs and puppies because intestinal problems occur.

Answer 8

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/zLXs2

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 9

My vet told me that rawhide can carry a lot of bacteria and can make dogs ill.

Answer 10

no.pig ears.don't worry,u can get the fake ones that taste the same 2 em'!!!