Rawhide Dog Chews

By Deb Haines

While rawhide dog chews are usually used for dogs who love to chew or as a distraction for an anxious or overstimulated dog, there are fortunately many safer dog chew options you can give your dog without the potential risks.

Rawhides are meant to be long-lasting chews that break down into tiny, soft pieces over time. However, strong chewers are typically able to break off large chunks that can pose a major choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage, and both are life-threatening events.

Most rawhide products are not easily digested as rawhide is made from dried animal skin, essentially the byproduct of leather. Many use chemicals and dyes when processing these chews.

If you are going to give your dog raw hide, it should be under close supervision, chewers tend to get large pieces all soft and gooey then swallow it, this is where the problems can start.

Best not to give rawhide period.

If you are interested in safe choices of chew toys, here is a link to the Veterinary Oral Health Council… look to left once on link and you will get option for dog or cat safe products.

Link …. http://www.vohc.org/

Pet Vet Corner encourages members to please establish a relationship with your local veterinarian. Building a relationship helps both your pet and you, incase of an emergency.

Link to facebook post. See comments for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/337421456457048/posts/2263840717148436/

**The Vet Corner groups encourage members to establish a relationship with their local veterinarian, don’t wait until an emergency.**