If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably heard that rawhide is not the best thing to give to your dog. Let’s talk about why.
What is rawhide? Rawhide chews are made from the inner layer of cowhide. Dogs can eat the skin of many smaller animals and it doesn’t typically cause an issue. However, cowhide is very tough and isn’t really digestible. The rawhide that is used for dog treats is the left over hide that is cleaned, cut or ground and is pressed in dog treats with artificial flavoring. It’s a cheap treat but has little nutrition.
Rawhide is basically leather. There may be trace amounts of toxic chemicals from the leather conditioning process, however, most of the concern is based on the evidence that allergic reactions or digestive system issues such as intestinal blockage occur in a large number of dogs. Rawhide also presents a choking hazard for your pup.
There are several alternatives that are recommended if you are looking for something to preoccupy your bored pup. Frankly Pet makes a variety of collagen chews that are highly digestible and will keep you pup busy for hours. Mascoti Pet has a many chews and treats that are made from parts of the cow other than cowhide. If your dog is an insane chewer, cow hoofs or real bones may be a good option. Just make sure you supervise your pup with any chew toy or treat.