Is rawhide bad for dogs?

Question

Are there any healthy alternatives? He usually doesn't seem interested in anything else!

Answer 1

Rawhide isn't good for dogs.. Especially the white rawhide.. it is cleaned with Arsenic to make it that nice white colour that appeals to people.. Not only that but it can easily get stuck in their throat.. it's something that you should not give them if you aren't going to be around.. Pig Ears are NOT good for them at all.. Not only do they cause pancreatic problems, they are very often recalled because they contain Salmonella...
Baby carrots are a great alternative to rawhide.. Not only are they good for them, they are safe and they help to keep their teeth clean and white.

Edit : Just a note you should not 'boil regular steak bones' or feed your dog cooked bones at all. They are more dangerous than rawhide.. Perforated guts ?!?

Answer 2

Rawhide is not a good treat for dogs. It isn't digestable, and is often treated with harmful chemicals.

Rawhide and pig ears cause alot of surgery required intestinal blockages each year. It also leaves a film on the teeth so its not good for teath either.

Try Bully Sticks. These are digestable and safe.

Answer 3

Rawhides must be given in moderation. I give my dog only one Jerky Tender (97% fat free made by Wagon Train) per day. Rawhides can make your dog constipated and then you will have a big problem. Try some milk bones too but in moderation also. They will want more but don't over feed them with goodies. They will have a longer life and not get fat if your careful.

Answer 4

Rawhides are very fattening for dogs. Go to petco and try some of the treats that they have at the treat bar. Ours in Washington has a large buffet style where you can buy treats in bulk. Try samples of different treats. Our dog likes Purina Tender T-bones and Begin Strips. She won't eating anything else. Also, NO GREENIES! They have a history of causing a choking hazard.

Answer 5

Rawhides are great for chewing exercise, but they can be dangerous: http://www.daneangelnetwork.org/rawhide.htm

If you do give rawhides, give the unbleached kind made in the USA (come countries use questionable chemicals in processing rawhide) and always stay near your dog while he's chewing and digesting it. Personally, I prefer giving raw beef knuckle bones.

Answer 6

I asked my dog trainer the same question last week. In fact, she feed her dogs rawhide too!

Just make sure your dog wont swallow a big chuck of the rawhide chip. If he never had this problem, he should be fine!
But they are really resonable on price! Also greenie are really good for the teeth, but they get really pricy!

Answer 7

They are okay for larger dogs, and some of the tougher small dogs (like a cockapoo or something like that). smaller dogs like chihuahua's and such can't digest it.

edited: Also little dogs can choke easier and get the rawhide stuck in the stomach. My dogs eat it all the time. II also sometimes boil regular steak boones and it keeps them busy for weeks.


Good luck!

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/xPkIr

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

I personally think they are crap for dogs. They can get stuck in the digestive tract and can cause sever upset stomachs. Pigs ears are nothing but fat! Not good either.
A raw bone from the butcher is the best thing for your dog to chew on. It's cheep and cleans the dogs teeth.

Oh yes raw carrots are greta too. Thanks DP I forgot about those. You can freeze the carrots too.

Answer 10

I have given them to my dogs on 3 different occasions. Each time, they have thrown up. I learned NOT to give them any more. They are not a healthy snack for the dogs, either. My dogs prefer ice cubes as their snack now. In the summer I fill a bowl and stick it in the freezer. My lab loves to lick and "chew" on the ice chunk.