What do you think about pig ears?

Question

Are pigs ears a safe and healthy treat for dogs? I have a 4 month old pom and she can spend hours chewing one! I've read some bad things about them (they could carry salmonella bacteria) and good things (they won't splinter/crack and they have a high fat content which promotes healthy skin & coat). My pom isn't a fan of hooves and i know rawhide can be a dangerous choking hazard. What do you think? Do you give pig ears to your dog?

Answer 1

Well, you can't make a silk purse out of one....No, just kidding! They are fine for dogs. Dogs/puppies have sharp teeth, and solid stomachs to digest bone and mineral materials. Yes, I give pig ears and raw hides to my chihuahua, Mr. Sprinkles. He is little, and can drag a very large bone under the couch, and enjoy it for a while!

Answer 2

Safe *with supervision*, healthy? Ehh, about as healthy as potato chips are for us, which would be, not really, but it's okay in moderation.

They can carry salmonella, and even though they don't splinter and crack, if a dog gets a big enough piece off they can still get it stuck in their throats just like rawhide.

They are high in fat (which is why the dogs like them so much but also why they are unhealthy). Fat doesn't promote good skin and coat, quality protein does. Fat just makes things more tasy to dogs. Omega six and three fatty acids are good for skin and coat, but these aren't found in pig ear fat. They're found mostly in fish and fish oils (which, ironically enough, are very low in fat). Fatty acids should not be confused with fat. It's not the same.

Most vets that I know of and have talked to are not huge fans of pig ears.

That being said, I do give pig ears to my dog, but very sparingly. Usually, he gets bully sticks and frozen marrow bones to chew on.

Answer 3

i wont not give our puppies pig ears, or raw hide or anything of that nature. first they are hard to eat, so it takes a lot of them to chew them. some chew them and just toss them around, they end up picking put dirty and bacteria that goes right back into the mouth of the puppy. then comes the part that many dogs and puppies can not digest them correctly. they get stuck in their digestive track, and it is hard for the body to digest them. then there are other dogs that they take too large of pieces and have problem releasing them as poop./
here are a few healthy suggestions:
for a rich healthly skin place a tsp of garlic (diced works great) in their dry food. it will help with the skin, they will still have bed breath, but puppy breath is the best.
if you see that the puppy is developing dry skin, mix in a bottle half apple cider vinegar and water. shake it and either spray it on the dog or gently wipe it with a cloth. do this once a week . for treats:
the dental chew is good. also dog treats which have meat or cheese in them. or even the most basic puppy bone biscuits.

so serve the puppy dry food. it is better for their teeth, it does not attract other bugs to it, and if your dog is a fenecky eater, you can leave the food there for when she is hungry

Answer 4

I don't give pig-ears or any other animal product to my dog as a chew toy. That's because according to my favorite trainer (the late Ben Johns of Richmond, VA) dogs don't really know the difference between a $1 chew toy and your $250 pair of Gucci's. To a dog, leather is leather - it's all chewable.

Try an appropriately sized nylabone or Kong filled with peanut butter or velveeta as a toy instead.

Answer 5

My dog loves them, he gets about one or two of them a week as a special treat...he can gobble one down in under five minutes it seems! But he's a very big dog. A pig ear for a small dog would be like my dog eating ten of them at one sitting.

it's too bad that your dog does not like hooves, mine loves them, have you tried getting any bones from the butcher, or maybe a small bully stick???

Good luck!

Answer 6

Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future. Learn here https://tr.im/dupnI

So where do you start with dog obedience training? You could take a class, but it’s not necessary; you can do it yourself. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be fun for both you and your dog!
Step 1 : Sit
This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.
• Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
• Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.
• Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.
Step 2 : Come
This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.
• Put a leash and collar on your dog.
• Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
• When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.
Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.
Step 3 : Down
This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.
• Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.
• Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.
• Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.
• Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!

Answer 7

My mother's dog loves them. She has never had a problem out of them. It always keeps her dog'd teeth extremely clean and healthy. I can't give them to my dog she gets to excited ad swallows them whole!!!! It just depends on the dog. I've never really heard anything bad about them though.

Answer 8

Everything in moderation! They are fine for her as long as she is not getting several a week. If she doesn't finish one I suggest you pick it up and toss it out. This will reduce the chances of it going bad by laying around half soggy and growing bacteria.

Answer 9

The only negative I ever saw was they gave my dog the runs. I use the chicken jerky strips from Costco.

Answer 10

There fully cooked and any bacteria is gone. Good treat for dogs.