All pet owners should be paying attention to what their dog eats. One treat could be equivalent to a McDonalds cheeseburger while another will help your dog live a long and painless life. A client of mine once got very upset because she thought I gave her dog a rawhide. She was under the impression that I gave her a traditional rawhide bone. In actuality it was a treat made with easily digestible pork hide and beef hide. There are rawhide bones out there that people used to give their dogs that are highly processed with chemicals and dyes. Since then people have realized that those types of rawhide contain random animals and are chemically toughened making them incompatible with a dogs digestive system. They break off into sharp dangerous pieces and don't break down, blocking the digestive tract. This can lead to surgery to have them removed. CHECK THE INGREDIENTS! Most companies have stopped making rawhides like this but it's always a good idea to check the ingredients. If they say 100% rawhide. This is bad, throw that sh*t out. If there are not specific rawhides listed, like beef and pork hide that are 99.2-100% digestible, I wouldn't give it to my dog or anyone else's.
Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are similar to beef hide and pork hide. Bully sticks are also great for big chewers, but are actually not as healthy for dogs because they're higher in fat. All of these are great treats but it's best to supervise your dog because some dogs may break off large pieces and swallow them whole, which makes it harder for them to digest and can upset their stomach. Rawhide free chews are great alternatives if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Sensitive Stomachs?
Every dog is different. Your dog may not be able to handle certain treats, they may have a sensitive stomach or digestive system. They also might develop diarrhea or vomit with certain treats. If you're already aware your dog has digestive issues or are sensitive with certain treats, it may not be the best thing to give your dog. You decide what your dog eats and how healthy they eat. Make sure you are specifying what goes and what doesn't with anyone taking care of them.
Chew Treat Benefits
If you're thinking of giving your dog digestible pork or beef hide chew treats, they are actually great for dogs in that they help with boredom, cleaning your dogs teeth as well as getting their energy out. They're low in fat, high in protein and are all natural with no additives, depending on the brand you buy. Make sure to check ingredients!
Conclusion
To conclude, traditional unknown "rawhide" is not only bad but dangerous. Specific rawhides like pork or beef or bully sticks are proven to be digestible and safe but it is best to be cautious and keep an eye on your dog while eating. It's completely up to you whether you feel comfortable giving certain treats and chews to your pet and it's never a bad thing to do some research!
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