Rawhide?

[Nancy Sunderland]

So what's the deal with rawhide? Are these types of bones safe? Is pressed more safe, or more dangerous than non-pressed? Is rawhide safe for adult dogs and not puppies? What are the risks? Just curious...

[Sandy]

I have heard that rawhide it not good for dogs. It is not digestible, therefore if the dog swallows a large piece, it just sits in the stomach, or worse case scenario, clogs things up. Knowing my dog, he would wolf down the "last large piece" rather than give it up, and cause himself problems. Maybe if you can take these kinds of things away from your puppy it would be all right. I'm sure others will have some good input for you.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

The problem ith rawhide is that after swallowed it can absorb fluid in the digestive tract and cause a blockage. The other issue is how it is processed, some of the chemicals used are harmful to the dogs. We have never given our dogs rawhide products.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's a lot of controversy about giving rawhide. I always gave it to my dogs, even the small ones, without a problem. If you do try giving it, make absolutely sure that it is clearly labeled "Made in the USA". Just a company name with a U.S. address is not enough. The foreign-made rawhide contains formaldehyde. The compressed kind is thought to be safer because it's harder for the dog to tear apart, and there are also chopped rawhide chew treats that don't have big pieces. (Those tend to leave lots of little annoying bits on your floors, though.)
The fact that it isn't digestible is not really the problem, because everyone eats things every day that aren't digestible...the plant cellulose in raw fruits and vegetables, like apples or carrots, for example, is indigestible for humans. It's called fiber, lol. If a dog swallows a piece of rawhide that's too big to be passed in the stool, he will usually vomit it back up. The bigger concern is choking, and there have been instances of dogs choking from rawhide.
Beef tendon is a good alternative to rawhide for longer lasting chews, although it doesn't last anywhere near as long or give the teeth as good a workout as rawhide. Merrick and Old West are both good reliable U.S.A. made sources for beef rawhides in various shapes and sizes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oops! That should have read "Merrick and Old West are both good reliable U.S.A. made sources for beef tendons in various shapes and sizes"!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Whenever I give my dogs rawhide they get diarrhea - especially one of them.

[Kyoko]

So does mine. So I stop giving it to them.