Is It Safe To Give Rawhide Chews To Dogs?

It is widely known that lots of dogs enjoy chewing on rawhide products, but recently there has been significant debate as to their safety. The concern is not unfounded.

Many of the questions that have arisen of late have stemmed from the fact that certain rawhide chews had been brought into the country from China and other areas lacking in proper safety procedures in the manufacturing process. Some of the imported rawhides even had salmonella contamination. While that particular danger is more of a threat to humans handling the products than to dogs, recalls occurred nonetheless. None of the American-made rawhides on the market were impacted.

In terms of the safety of actually allowing your dog to chew on rawhides in a general sense, there is little need for worry. The fact is that a study conducted by a highly-regarded American medical school endeavored to learn whether or not rawhides were harmful to dogs. The research indicated that even those dogs chewing rawhides up to three times daily suffered to adverse effects.

Dogs may chew rawhide products to the point where parts of them travel through the digestive system without issue. While there is always the possibility of choking on a small portion of rawhide, the same is true with any type of food they are eating. The chances are slim and such occurrences are rare. However, it is still advisable to supervise pets anytime they are offered a rawhide chew product.

If your pet chews a rawhide product long enough that it becomes softened and somewhat gelatinous, it is wise to take it from him or her for a little while. Invite the dog to engage in another activity or provide a new rawhide. Letting the old rawhide dry out and re-harden is a good idea, and once that happens, it can be reintroduced to the pet.

Should you still have concerns about rawhides, take a look at Nylabones. These are hard plastic chew toys, and some versions are edible and rendered in flavors dogs find most appealing. The bottom line is that there are numerous options available for owners wishing to help their dog satisfy their chewing impulse.

Many pet owners are accustomed to offering pig ears to their dogs, but these do carry a risk of salmonella. In fact, if this is a concern to you, it is probably best to avoid pig ears and any other products with direct animal origins. Even American-made products are not immune from recalls when it comes to such items.