Need alternatives to rawhide for dogs?

Question

I think my German Shepherd may be allergic to rawhide chews. I know that rawhide is dangerous to dogs anyway, but I need an alternative. She has no idea her Kong or her nylabone even exists, and I will not give her any type of bone. But, if I do not give her rawhides, she will chew the walls. Any ideas??

Answer 1

We had a weimaraner who we believe was allergic to the coloring/flavoring used in pig feet/ears. I switched him over to real bones....like the kind from a butcher shop. He would have seizures after having a pig foot or pig ear.
We now have a shepherd cross, and I buy her Pedigree Jumbones. They satisfy her need to chew, but aren't messy. I think they're made of gelatin with a hardening agent. Takes her about a day to demolish one.

Answer 2

My dog is allergic to rawhide as well, in addition to MANY other things. I give her pig ears, pig bones, lamb bones and piggy rolls. The piggy rolls are the same as rawhide, except they are made with pig hide instead of cow hide. My dobie has no interest whatsoever in nylabones and kongs either, I started getting her these and she's perfectly satisfied. You should try giving her a pig or lamb bone. You can pick them up at your local pet store ( just be sure that they aren't beef bones).
Another poster mentioned the flavorings/colorings added that cause her dog to have problems. Be sure if you buy the cooked pig ears/bones that you get the smoked rather than basted, many dogs have problems with the flavorings they put on the chews, plus they leave stains on the carpet if you get the flavored ones. My dobie has never had a problem with anything since I cut out the beef bones and rawhide.

Answer 3

Pig ears are a snack for most large dogs. Raw bones are ok but some dogs will crack them and eat pieces of them and that is not good. Mine do not get bones as they do that.
Stuff the Kong toy with peanut butter and stick it in the freezer for 20 minutes then give it to her. Most dogs love peanut butter and it is ok for them. Mine LOVE this treat. Mine will all chew on the nylabones but some dogs just do not like them. It took a puppy who liked them to teach mine that the bones were to chew on.
They make several types of chews that are not rawhide. THey are made from potato starch and things like that you may want to try a few and see what your pet likes. Most are not as durable as the rawhide. I only give mine the compressed rawhide and only when supervised with the bones for a half hour or so then take them back as my dogs will chew until their gums bleed. They are not able to pull off large hunks of the comressed stuff and only chew the bones and my dogs seem to do better with them than the regular rawhide.

Answer 4

Fill her kong with peanut butter or cheese and freeze it. Then before you leave the house give it to your german sheperd to enjoy. Its true rawhide chews and pig ears can do a number on a dogs stomach, but you also have to be careful when giving softer treats that they dont gain too much weight. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

fill your dogs kong with something REALLY yummy...like peanut butter (but not too much or he may have an upset tummy) or cheese...maybe even hot dogs and babyfoof(not too much) also many websites offer KONG recipes.

http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/kongrecipe.php

you can also freeze them...for hours of fun, but your dog may not like that just yet if he doesnt even know it exists yet.

When you fill the kong..make it a big deal. get the dogs attention while filling it with all of his favorite goodies. that way he gets excited about the kong. and when he is first getting used to it, dont make it too difficult, make it easy..like a few pieces of cheese and a piece of hot dog and some kibble, then move up to more difficult ones with peanutbutter and treats.

Also make sure the kong is the right size for the dog, since they are only using their tounges you dont want it to be so small that they cant get the good out of it. and you dont want it to be too big because then there is no challenge in that.

http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html

bananas are good for dogs too...at the SPCA I worked for, one of my dogs (robroy) was allergic to meat and regualr dog food so he couldnt have bones and treats...so he LOVED

FROZEN BANANAS
that was his favorite treat.

this web site tells you what breed needs what size kong as well as recipes
http://www.traininglines.org.uk/kong_recipes.htm

hope that helps some :)

Answer 6

Yup, the poster above is right on the money! Stuff that kong with some yummy stuff for your dog to work on. Have you considered giving raw bones? I've not tried this yet, but my trainer swears by it for teeth cleaning. We give our dogs the ones from the PetSmart type stores and they do well with them.

Here's a link to some recipes for Kong stuffing http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/dog_recipes_for_kong_chew_toys.php

Answer 7

Try stuffing her Kong with peanut butter and biscuits- place in your freezer to harden, then give to her after its frozen- makes for a treat that lasts longer. And yes do try- Raw bones from the butcher, ask for leg bones with knuckles if they have them. they last along time and satisfies the need to chew.RAW bones are OK to give... NEVER give Cooked or Smoked bones of any kind, as they WILL splinter and give your pets all sorts of problems.Do Not give Pig Ears also- these have been smoked and treated, and can cause intestinal problems.Raw Meaty bones are the best- Ive been giving them to my Saint Bernards for Years( over 30) with no problems.

Answer 8

by your god a toy called cong, it's made out of rubber. then put peanut butter into the middle. your pup will enjoy the treat and you'll get some peace and quiet.

Kong Dog Toy
Kong's exclusive red natural rubber is puncture resistant, super bouncy, and chewer friendly. It is unmatched for resilience, durability, and bounce. Kong satisfies a dog's natural need to chew and also cleans teeth and conditions gums. The thick, flexible walls keep springing back for more! Kong rubber is non-toxic, nonabrasive, non-splintering, and does not get sharp when chewed. Kong toys are enthusiastically used and recommended by veterinarians, trainers, dog professionals and satisfied customers world wide.

Answer 9

Try the Bacon Nylabones - They smell really yummy!

Pig Ears are also a good snack.

Don't give him Cow Hoofs - They smell like Urine - IKKY!

Answer 10

why not give her a different type of bone???? you can get raw marrow bones from the butcher and they are VERY healthy and good for dogs. She will love the bones! Just make sure they are raw, and NOT COOKED.