Consuming rawhide risks choke and digestive problems , so talk with your veterinary about whether it ’s OK for your dog .
You see them at the pet store all the time , but some of your friend and family trust off the bones and chews . So : Is rawhide speculative for pawl ?
Rawhide for dog for sure seems like a impudent construct . The leather industry remnant lasts a long clip , allow your dog to sometimes gnaw on the chews for days . But dogs can find themselves sick and in pain if they consume too much rawhide or ingest pieces that are too big , allege Albert Ahn , DVM , veterinary advisor forMyos Pet . In fact , it ’s why one major U.S. retail merchant block off betray traditional rawhide mathematical product .
Photo: Tetiana Garkusha / Getty
Here ’s what you should know about these chewy bite .
What Are Rawhide Chews?
Rawhide is made from beast skin , include cows , steers , and bull . manufacturer will often take the dry out animal skin and determine it into bone shapes or geld the rawhide into strip , Ahn says .
They ’re edible and contain protein and fat , but they should never be more than supplemental to your dog ’s diet . In fact , eating too much rawhide can cause your detent to experiencevomitinganddiarrhea , Ahn says . The material is tough and hard to digest , so , ideally , your dog will spend hours , even twenty-four hours , chewing on the os or strip , ripping off and exhaust only belittled pieces at a time .
" They ’re essentially fine as long as a pet proprietor work out some beneficial sound judgment , " Ahn tells Daily Paws .
Just like forbully pin , Ahn urge buying rawhide treats that are made in the United States , where they have to meet stricter safety banner than those made in some other area . This reduce the risk of contamination with bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella which can be harmful to people in the home as well as dogs .
Is Rawhide Bad for Dogs?
The basal fear with rawhide is that dogs might burn off a piece that ’s too large , causing them to suffocate or forming an impedimenta in their digestive system of rules .
That ’s whyPetco pulled traditional rawhidefrom its shelf last year , choose to sell what it described as easier - to - digest rawhide chews that are perforated .
" [ Rawhide is ] so toothsome , and they wipe out it so tight , and , unfortunately , it can cause stomach upset . We can see GI obstructions and things that we do n’t require to be putting our pets at peril for , " Whitney Miller , DVM and Petco ’s capitulum of veterinary medicament , severalize Daily Paws in 2021 .
So if you do design to feed your dog a rawhide bone or chew , verify it ’s a bragging piece , Ahn says . Ensure there ’s no room your dog can accidentally swallow it whole . And if your dog is enjoy a rawhide delicacy , keep an eye on him . When it receive pocket-size enough that he might accidentally live with the total spell , throw the rawhide away . Eventually , you’re able to replace it with a new manduction , but you ’ll only desire to give your dog a " finite " amount of rawhide to take it tardily on his digestive organization , Ahn says .
" Pet parent should throttle the amount of rawhide consumed at any given time and discourage consumption of significant while that could make choking or GI obstruction , " the ASPCA aver in aposition statement . " Obstruction may be more probable to occur in modest dogs . "
You ’ll also want to keep rawhide wad off from dogs who have dental problems because the tough material could further damage their pearly-white whites , Ahn say . The same goes for puppies — they might accidentally bite off more than they can chew , so it ’s dependable to try out some more absolvitory treats andtoys for chewing .
If you oppugn whether your pawl can love rawhide plug , ask your veterinarian for advice . Canis familiaris with allergies and those on prescription medicine diet may take to forefend rawhide . you could make the best decision together because you both know your dog ’s wellness and chewing habits best .
Worried After Your Dog Eats Rawhide?
Whether your dog is potentially choking or simply act odd after consuming a rawhide goody , Ahn enounce to call your veterinary . If it ’s after time of day , call the nearest parking brake vetand ask what you should do .
The wellness professionals will advise whether you need to take prompt activeness or just keep an eye on him . If yourdog is chokingon the rawhide , you may have to step in and help .
Best Rawhide Alternatives
If you ’re nervous about give your dog rawhide , do n’t ! There are plenty of other toys and treats available for chomping .
Who does n’t get laid aKONG toy — particularly onefilled with peanut butter or cheese ? Those are plenty cuttable and , like rawhide , can absorb a hound for a while ( as long as your dog does not have allergies or is on a prescription diet ) .
For dogs who need to rebuild some brawniness , Ahn suggest Myos ’s chew made with ballock yolk ( astudy showedthat egg yolk may aid dogs retain muscle mass after articulatio genus operating theater ) . There are hatful of other quid — includingjoint supplementsanddental chews — that might serve your dog better than rawhide . There are also dental - specific quid that aid with teeth .
If you ’re worried about choking or digestive hazard , look for treat and supplements that fail down easily into piece , Ahn says . Those are much easier for your dog to swallow and then digest , but again : It ’s good to ask your veterinary for guidance .
