Rawhide Bones

[Marilyn Minni]

Do you give your dog rawhide bones? I heard they aren't good for dogs because they expand in their stomach. What do you give your puppy to chew on?

[Leslie and Halas]

How old is Maggie? When Halas was really young, he didn't care for the Nylabones. But once he started teething, he really started liking them. So if Maggie is still really young, maybe she'll change her mind about Nylabones later.

[Leslie and Halas]

Halas has some rawhides, but he doesn't really eat them. First of all, he's always supervised when he has them. He chews for awhile sometimes, but he never pulls chunks off of them. More often, he chews for a few seconds, and then gets up and carries the rawhide around looking for a place to "hide" it, which is usually in plain sight. He'll wander around with it for 20 minutes looking for the perfect spot. When he really wants to chew, it's a nylabone or a bully stick. If he pulled big chunks off the rawhide to try to eat it, I'd take it away from him.

[Marilyn Minni]

thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think the problem with rawhide is expansion in their stomachs- rawhide will soften, but it doesn't absorb very well. I believe there is more concern about it becoming stuck in their throats or causing an obstruction internally. There is also the chemical issue...the process by which the "edible" inner portion of the cowhides is separated from the outer part (leather) involves some pretty toxic chemicals. If your puppy will chew any of the other items suggested here by others, that's probably a better choice. That said, I DO give Jackdoodle American-made basted rawhide, because he is a very fussy dog about what he will chew (and eat) and I want his teeth and gums to get some stimulation and cleaning. Jackdoodle is like Halas; he doesn't eat the rawhide, just licks the basting off and then gnaws it until it's softened up.
Keep in mind that it's VERY important, if you do try rawhide, to make sure that it is clearly labeled "MADE IN USA". Imported rawhide from other countries often contains formaldehyde.

[Marilyn Minni]

Thanks so much for the info.

[Beverley S. LaLonde]

I go down to the butcher shop and get knuckle bones and thro in freezer and give them once a month. I have them sawed in half if big ones. They chew on them until the cow's come home! First you put them where it won't mess up carpet in their crate until cleaned off. Once cleaned off they are fine. Their teeth and breath are as fresh as spring:-)
Bev,Harlee & Chloe

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I do not give my dogs rawhide, but just because of the mess. They do okay with them, but with the doodle hair, I don't do it anymore. I use the "real" bones as Adina mentioned...they are wonderful!! You can get them stuffed as well. They last a very long time!!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

One of the reports on rawhide states that when ingested, rawhide takes the form of something similar to Elmers Glue and is diffficult to digest....Blake absolutely LUVS to chew on rawhide....and I try to avoid getting any for him but Blake doesn't actually swallow it and has never had a problem with it inspite of all of his intestinal difficulties....So I will on occassion, allow him to have one....It's the first thing he makes a bee line for whenever we visit the pet supply store!...lol

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Marily..Here are a few links to previous discussions on chew toys, safe bones and Kong that may be helpful.......

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:156578

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:21984

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:13636?page=1&...

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/toy-suggestions

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:15962

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:93719

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/kong-stuffers

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:252347

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

We have never given our guys rawhide. Our vet has told us that rawhde can cause FATAL obstructions. I don't think it is worth the risk no matter how small the rsk may be.

[Maya]

Since we just got our Doodle less than two weeks ago, I took her to my vet the other day, for a check-up. When I asked her if I should brush Cassie's teeth, she said: 'it's a pain in the neck to do that, and they hate it; give her rawhide instead, you'll get the same results'. Only, she said to be careful which kind I buy. If I press on it hard with my finger and nail, and cannot make a dent or even a line in it - it's too hard and might break her teeth. That's what happened to her just the week before!

Maya

[Maya]

Oops! The last sentence of my previous post is missing a word... without it, it sounds as if my VET had a broken tooth from chewing rawhide, ha, ha,ha! I wanted to say "That's what happened to her DOG just the week before!"... so, to clarify again - my vet does NOT chew on rawhide in lieu of brushing her teeth (come to think of it... I might give it a try myself :-))))

Maya