Are Rawhide Bones Harmful to Dogs?

By Susan Leisure

Instructions

Rawhide Definition

Step 1:
Rawhide is the processed inner hide of beef cattle. The outside layer of the hide is used to make leather, while the inner layer is used to make rawhide, gelatin, glue and other products.

Origin of Rawhide Chews

Step 1:
Give your dog only rawhide chews that are made from American beef hides. Rawhide chews made in other countries are often treated with harsh, toxic chemicals to help the hides survive the transport to rawhide factories. American hides are also thicker, which are safer.

Characteristics of Quality Rawhide

Step 1:
A quality rawhide is made from a single piece of thick hide. Avoid thin strips, pressed rawhide and rolls wrapped around fragments of hide. Quality rawhides also have some color and no smell or a slight natural animal smell.

Consider Alternatives

Step 1:
If you are unsure about the quality of the rawhide or don't have access to purchase quality rawhides, consider chewing alternatives. One good alternative is a sweet potato chew, which offers a tasty and safe way to satisfy your dog's chewing instincts.

Always Supervise Use

Step 1:
Nancy Kerns of the Whole Dog Journal states, "Rawhide chews--of even the finest quality--may not be safe for every dog." Enthusiastic chewers and dogs who gulp their food tend to swallow large fragments and risk choking or blockage.

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