Why are Rawhide Bones Dangerous For Your Dogs?
Rawhide bones have been a popular treat for dogs for quite some time. You may even have heard that rawhide bones are dangerous, but why? 
Dogs love to chew and not just food. Have you looked under yet bed lately? Your favorite shoes may have been the recipient of your buddies chewing.
Dogs chew to help clean their teeth, relieve anxiety and to keep their jaws strong, to name a few benefits of chewing. However, dogs do not need to chew rawhide.
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Rawhide are made of inner soft hide or skin of animals like pigs, cows, sheep or horses. Then the hides are cleaned, cut or ground and pressed into a chewable dog treat of various shapes and sizes.
Often to make them more appealing they contain chicken, beef or liver flavorings. They are not made to be digested, therefore do not break down easily.
Rawhide bones can pose a choking hazard or blockage risk.
Large pieces of rawhide may get stuck in the esophagus or digestive tract and cause chocking which can then expand in the stomach and cause a blockage.
Some common signs you may observe from your pet after eating rawhide is gagging, choking, fever, lack of energy, diarrhea, vomiting, refusing to eat, weight loss, signs of pain, regurgitation to name a few. Emergency surgery may be necessary or even death could be a possibility.
Another reason rawhides bones should be avoided is what have been found in them. When tested, lead, arsenic, mercury, formaldehyde and other things have been found. It’s possible rawhide can become contaminated with salmonella or e.coli.
Rawhide is not even considered food, they are often unlabeled dog treats because the pet treat industry is not regulated.
The best way to avoid health risk to your pet is to not give rawhide chews to your dog in the first place.
There are great alternatives to rawhide for example:
- Bully sticks
- Edible dental bones
If you have any concerns after your pet has eaten anything harmful, your dog should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Debi
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