What's the Real Story on Rawhide?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Is rawhide bad for dogs?  Does it depend on the dog's age?  Or does it depend on what type or where it's from?  Do any of you give your doodle rawhide chews?  Why or why not?  Thanks for the input!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

ok, thanks for the clarification.

[Becka]

Sadie loves beef tracheas ("moo tubes" or "toobles") because like bully sticks they are completely digestible, but like rawhide they can last a long time. I've also given her granulated rawhide and compressed rawhide chews--I believe that both products are processed in a way that makes them easier to digest than plain rawhide. But the moo tubes (and bully sticks) are her favorites.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Traci, I give my 2 doodles bully sticks and they always eat them.  I did give them rawhide a few times but was so worried that I stopped and gave them antlers and bully sticks.  The braided ones seem to last longer.  Only get the antlers and bully sticks from the US.  I don't trust any dog treats from outside the US.

[Allen and Pamela Kerstetter]

Gee I didnt know rawhide was bad, I give them to Duke for cleaning his teeth and chewing.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

OK - I will stick with antlers and bully sticks.  I'm going to try the braided ones & see if they last him longer.  I would like to try those beef tracheas too!  Where can you get those?  Jane - I'll try the Red Barn.  Thanks!

[Becka]

I've only seen the beef tracheas at PetSmart.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Where are they made Becka? I have a hard time finding things made in the USA at PetSmart near me/

[Becka]

They're by Dentley--I assumed they were made in the US because I try to be careful about that too, but it's possible they're not? Red Barn is all made in the USA--they're a good brand, too.

[Barbie]

I bought a Dentley product today and just checked it - yup, made in Thailand. Oh, well, I buy what I can afford, so I can't be picky about where it's made.

[Becka]

I just wanted to let everyone know I found USA-made beef tracheas on eBay for a fairly reasonable price.

[Michael Gurley]

I've found them at a store called Pet Mania near me, and another store called Unleashed.

[Barbie]

I occasionally (about 1x week) give my kids a compressed raw hide stick or a Purina Busy Rollhide. From my research, these two products are safe for dogs. My favorite is Purina Busy Bones - keeps my dogs busy for quite some time and helps Zeus with his teething.