RAWHIDES,  COW HOOVES,  &  PIGS ' EARS

These well-liked dog treats are purchased in large numbers, especially around holidays, by well-meaning dog owners hoping to give their pets something special. These toys are favorites for many dogs and are popular with owners because they keep their pets occupied and supposedly out of trouble during holiday activities. There are definite risks associated with these treats, however. All three types are supposedly made of digestible animal products. However, they are digested quite slowly and, if consumed rapidly, can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. If the treats are swallowed whole or in large chunks, there are additional dangers. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella accociated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs' ears) for more details.

Cow hooves are even more dangerous than rawhides. They are hard enough that a dog can actually break a tooth on one. They can also be chewed up into sharp fragments which may cause a partial intestinal obstruction. Partial obstructions are often difficult to diagnose until the point at which the fragment is ready to perforate the wall of the bowel from pressure against the sharp edges. If perforation has occured, the infection that ensues from leakage of intestinal contents can be fatal.

Pigs' ears can cause GI upset if overeaten, similar to the situation with rawhides, although obstructions are less common because the ears are not usually shaped into solid chunks. There is, whowever, a less widely known danger associated with pig ears: A recent FDA advisory published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human services on Oct.1, 1999, stated that there is "a nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of recent cases in Canada of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials (e.g., pigs ears, beef jerky treats, smoked hooves, pigs skins, etc.)... FDA is urging pet owners... to handle them carefully. Anyone who comes in contact with these treats should wash their hands with hot water and soap. Initial reports of illnesses came from Canada and involved Canadian products.

Rawhide is probably the most popular type of chewing device that dogs enjoy. Go to any pet supply store or any store that sells pet supplies and you will find an abundance of rawhide chews in every size, shape and color. Unfortunately, rawhide could be dangerous for your pet. Learn about rawhide dangers and how you can prevent any unnecessary harm to your dog.

Any dog owner knows how much puppies and adult dogs chew. They chew on slippers, carpet, furniture, walls, etc. To prevent the ultimate destruction of their homes, they run out and buy gobs of chew toys for their dogs. A large percentage of what they buy will be rawhide.

WHAT IS RAWHIDE? Rawhide is literally the outside of a cow – the skin. It provides dogs with a satisfying chewing experience and it’s cheap and easy to find. So how can it be dangerous?

HIDDEN DANGERS

Dr. John Wedeking, an Iowa veterinarian, remembers hearing about rawhide in the news.

“Reports of arsenic contamination popped up in papers once,” he says, but adds that it came from another country.

Since rawhide is not regulated in any way, it could happen again. These foreign hides may also contain other detrimental things such as antibiotics, lead, or insecticides that could adversely affect the health of your dog.

Wedeking adds that dogs can easily choke on it when the original large rawhide object is chewed down to a smaller piece.

“Choking is a hazard, and rawhide can cause gastric irritation when dogs chew on it often,” he says. Wedeking adds that gastric irritation can also cause vomiting and extreme discomfort in dogs.

'Tests on imported pet products made from animal hides by UK health authorities revealed many carried the salmonella bug, a common cause of gastro-intestinal infections in humans." "They found that one in three batches imported from Thailand and one in eight from China contained salmonellas that had survived processing and manufacturing"
by Tracy Werner

WHAT YOU CAN DO

There are plenty of wonderful alternatives to rawhide. Pet supply stores are everywhere, and carry many diverse alternatives including vegetable and meat-flavored bones made from potato starch, bones made from extremely strong rubber infused with flavorings, and corn-starch & wheat based based bones also infused with flavor(please be careful and watch for allergies to these products). All of these but the rubber ones break apart into tiny pieces while being chewed. Once they are chewed down to a small piece that your dog could swallow, discard it. All of these bones except for the rubber-based ones are easily digestible.

Nyla Bones® are a very popular and safe alternative. They have edible ones as well as great hard ones that wear down slowly. Caution: Do NOT give the GumaBone (made by Nylabone®) to adult dogs, they may be able to chew off large pieces, give them to puppies up to 6 months of age only.

Nylabones® are made from pure virgin nylon, which makes them stronger and more durable than Gumabone. In fact, the Nylabone® Galileo Bone® is the World's Strongest Dog Bone! Nylabones® are: unique therapeutic devices designed to satisfy the chewing instinct of aggressive chewing dogs; safer than other dog chews; will not splinter or break off in chunks; endorsed by leading dog authorities; and their natural flavor enhancement makes these products irresistible to dogs!

Offer your dog a variety of chewing alternatives and choose them responsibly. Your pet may thank you by forgetting about your furniture and your slippers…and your favorite chair…and the toilet paper roll...

Many people wonder why dogs chew on things when they have toys that they won't touch. The answer is they chew on things that taste like their humans. Dogs are puppies their entire life. When you rub their muzzle you are nurturing their little souls. When you aren't around they look for your scent on the sofa or your shoes or doorway or steering wheel or window sill or your bed. Even your phone might become a part of comfort for your canine buddy. They just can't help themselves.
So you as a owner need to teach them how to play with their toys -- this begins with sleeping with their toys. Making sure you handle their toys. Store them in a pillow case that has your scent on it. Play with each toy with your dog and make it a positive experience so the dog knows when you are off working and they are missing you they can go to the pillow or pillow case and have great memories of you until you come home to play again.
Remember the more you play with them the more they will play with what is the right toy. However there will always be collateral damage with a puppies or dog. Once in a while they just go crazy and envision you driving in their car, no doubt with a cat. And they can just get anxious and need the reassurance that you will pay attention to them when you get home. You have to remember they just want your love and attention. It really is a compliment that they eat your favorite hat as well as a hint that they need more time with you.
It is very soothing to a dog to have their teeth wiped and their mussel stroked. It also shows them in a gentle way that you are the Alpha this will make for a very fun and loving relationship with your dog. Now if the dog guesses right and you were driving with the windows down with the cat you better be prepared to pay up. Soften the scent with Febreeze (I kid you not) and fill the car with healthy dog bones. Bring your dog a healthy dog bone. And don't forget to wash your hands before you hand the dog the treat. The dog nose knows. - Author unknown.

ABOUT RAWHIDE BONES & CHEWS
I know everyone thinks because they sell rawhide bones they are safe but a rawhide bone can cause your dog to choke to death.  I do not recommend that anyone ever give them to your dog. Surely you must have an old cowboy boot or a Sperry topsider minus the shoe lace. Give that to the dog -- they love them. Play with the shoe or boot with the dog. On hot days you can fill plastic gallon milk jugs with water and freeze them -- let the dogs play with them outside the just love it. Especially if they are teething and you are watching. Dogs love to clown around for their owners.

Dog treats they come in all shapes and colors but are they healthy and safe for your dog? Rawhide (animal skin usually from cows or pigs) and pigs’ ears are very popular dog treats. Dogs seem to love these inexpensive "treats" and can chew on them for h

ours and days. In reality it's not really the "rawhide" that your dog likes but the act of chewing. Dogs need to chew on things to exercise their jaws and keep their teeth and gums healthy as well as relieve boredom and stress.On a nutritional note rawhide products have no nutritional value at all. They are loaded with artificial coloring and preservatives that can cause severe allergic reactions in some dogs. It is not uncommon to see dogs develop rashes and irritation on the inside of their lips from continuous exposure of the chemicals from chewing. Rawhides are indigestible and can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

If you want to "Treat" your dog give him/her non-toxic chew toys such as twist cotton ropes, Nylabone products, or a dried up beef joint bone that you can get at your butcher. Choose a bone joint from either a knee or shoulder that is too big for your dog to break or swallow. Boil the bone and then dry in the oven at 350 degrees F until dry (15 minutes). This bone will probably last forever and will do wonders for your dog’s teeth.

TREATS