The Dangers Of Rawhide

We all know how much puppies and adult dogs love to chew on things- your slippers, your favorite shoes, furniture, etc. So, like any good pet owner, a lot of us have given our dogs rawhide chew “toys.” What exactly is rawhide? And why is it so dangerous to your pet?

Rawhide is quite literally the outside skin of an animal, usually a cow or a pig. Rawhide is usually inexpensive, and can give your pet hours of chewing satisfaction. So what’s the big deal? Rawhide can quite literally KILL your beloved canine friend! There have been reports of rawhide that is manufactured in other countries containing arsenic- yes, arsenic. Why? Because some countries and manufacturers use preservatives which contain arsenic.

Still thinking you might give Fluffy that piece of rawhide?

Rawhide chews pose a choking hazard to your pet. Large pieces of rawhide can cause an obstruction in the throat, cutting off your pet’s air supply. Or, if large pieces of rawhide are swallowed, they can scrape and cut the throat and cause hemorrhaging in your pets throat or esophagus.

Supposedly, rawhide chews are made of digestible animal materials. But did you know they digest extremely slow? Also, if chewed and eaten rapidly, rawhide can cause vomiting or diarrhea in your pet due to undigested pieces of rawhide still in his/her stomach. Undigested pieces of rawhide can also cause physical obstructions in your pets intestinal tract and stomach.

So, is rawhide worth the risk to your pet’s life? Likely not. But if you still feel safe about giving your pet rawhide, make sure he/she is supervised with it at all times. Your pet’s life may depend on it.