Is rawhide safe?
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| It can be dangerous if it disappears too quickly, or if she swallows large peices.
Have you tried pressed rawhide instead of the loose white rawhide? It is much harder for them to soften up and break peices off. |
| Both my dogs eat every kind of rawhide and bone that can be eaten. Lucy in particular LOVES rawhide and tears into new bones and then steals Clyde's if she can! We've never had any digestive problems it all. I'm sure it depends on the dog though so I'd keep an eye for anything odd but woldn't worry too much if things are coming out ok and regularly. |
| Yes, rawhide is safe for dogs to swallow as long as they are softened up by their saliva. I also prefer the pressed rawhide as they take longer to chew up due to the smaller pieces.
I won't leave Annie with any type of chews unless we're around. I like to check up on her and make sure her gums aren't bleeding to much or that she isn't eating it too quickly. If large pieces are swallowed, they can gag on them. Ick!!! |
| I agree - pressed rawhide lasts a lot longer. We've been buying 10 inch pressed rawhide bones at target, great price and they last about a week. |
| I'm weary of rawhide, had to pull one out of a dogs throat that was choking on it, I don't use them now because of that, prefer large raw bone or hard biscuit. |
| I've read on many websites that were talking about Greenies, that their vets said things like "They can choke on rawhides too". Many many many times. Over and over again, I read this.
This leads me to believe that rawhides may be nearly as "unsafe" as "Greenies" seem to be. |
| I really think it is so important to make sure they are supervised when they eat treats like that. If my dog were to gobble down rawhide, I wouldn't give it again. JMO
I also don't give my dogs even pressed rawhide very often. It is usually a weekend treat so I am home to keep an eye on it. If it gets gummy and slimy and soft enough that they can tear peices off I throw it out. |
| Ron I was just very very blessed to be home and see it happen and assist her dislodging it from the throat, If I wasn't home then the results would of been disastrous. Posted a long time ago on an OES Australian web site what happened and the response to that was it has happened to a lot of others too. They seem to go soft and soggy and that is where the problems begin.
A lot responded too, same thing that happened, also that they will never give them to their dogs again. So if any of you do let them have them, then just be careful and supervise the dog while he is chewing on it and if it goes soft and soggy throw it out, IMO I have had a terrible scare with them so they are off my list of treats. |
| Thanks for all the input. I think I will skip rawhide in the future. No reason to risk it when there are bully sticks, marrow bones and kongs. . . |
Ron wrote: I've read on many websites that were talking about Greenies, that their vets said things like "They can choke on rawhides too". Many many many times. Over and over again, I read this.
This leads me to believe that rawhides may be nearly as "unsafe" as "Greenies" seem to be. According to vets we talked to, rawhide can cause intestinal obstructions if they swalllow too large a piece. (We had an emergency vet check a couple of weekends ago because of a rawhide chew and our Border Collie-mix). It can also get stuck in the throat. We've been told by a few vets over the years that you are supposed to let them have a rawhide chew just until it starts to get wet and soft. Then you take it away and give them a different one. It's a tough thing to do though. |
Valerie wrote: Thanks for all the input. I think I will skip rawhide in the future. No reason to risk it when there are bully sticks, marrow bones and kongs. . .
Bully sticks just gross me out too much to give them to the dogs! When I told James what they actually were, he was like "We're not giving the dogs those-- no way!" |
| What's a "Bully Stick", never heard of them here? |
lisaoes wrote: What's a "Bully Stick", never heard of them here?
I'd rather let you read for yourself so I don't have to worry about a graceful explanation  : http://www.bullysticks.com/ |
OMG Definately sticking to a nice raw bone, understand the link you posted now instead of explaining that one to me!! 
We definately don't have them downunder |
| I wonder if that website is real. The label on the bully sticks I just got them said it was tendon. And it was very long and narrow, consistent with a tendon. Here, they call it muscle:
http://www.redbarninc.com/pc-15-11-regu ... ticks.aspx I don't really care either way, as long as they are safe. Any info on that? |
| I think some tendons or bull muscle may be packaged as bully sticks now but that name originated from the less appealing option. I know some places, like that site, still make them that way. I'm sure they're safe either way-- they're all natural, unbleached and digestible. It's just the idea that grosses me out! |
| Works for me! Thanks. |
lisaoes wrote: We definately don't have them downunder Neither do the bulls...  |
LOL  Now I know why this one has that look in his eyes, no bull about that one  |
Valerie wrote: I wonder if that website is real.
Here's another site offering "them"- http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/tre ... 21&s=14050 |
| Yuck...lol.... I won't be buying them either... ever.... |
| we have them here to under the name of bull pizzles boo realy loves them but what a smell on her afterwards it was then bathtime. so no more of those for her as for the rawhide boo aways seems to choke on it so ive stopped them to . |
 my coffee went up my nose |
| Tux had some of our friends give him a great big candy cane rawhide for Christmas. Seriously, this thing was about 2 feet long. He loved it! He chewed and chewed and nearly ate the entire thing in 3 days. I feel so stupid! Well, he couldn't go to the bathroom. We took him to the vet. They said he was impacted and they "expressed" his anal glands. (not to mention that they shaved his entire backside and he now looks like a baboon!) I don't mind the looks--but I'm still worried. He is now so raw and sore that he is miserable. I just feel so stupid! I am wondering if there is the chance of an intestinal blockage (mentioned above)... I took him back to the vet because he still would not use the bathroom--and if he managed to go any at all--it was completely liquid. Our vet gave him some pills and told me to keep A & D Ointment on him along with a spray to make him heal up. But I'm still worried that there may be more to it than that. What would be the signs of a blockage? He is just scaring me. Thanks. |
I'm sure you're feeling guilty too (been there!  ). A lot of times they say to simply watch them closely for changes. Is he eating/acting normally otherwise? No tender belly or vomiting? If you have any doubt about his current treatment, please consider a second opinion. If for nothing else than your own peace of mind that this treatment is appropriate. With a partial obstruction, only liquids can pass but if your sheepie-boy ate "the whole thing", it seems this could be the cause of the diarrhea.
This is what I found online on the subject of intestinal obstruction... http://www.hhdane.com/medical/intestinalblockage.htm Signs your dog has an intestinal blockage: The signs are vomiting, dehydration and distension of the abdomen. When the blockage is high, projectile vomiting occurs shortly after eating. When low, there is a distension of the abdomen and vomiting is less frequent, but when present, it is dark brown and has a fecal odor, A dog with a complete obstruction passes no stool or gas per rectum. We supervise our dogs when we give them rawhide now. I have to give my newest sheepie something while I groom her... she will then stay put and allow me to brush her out completely, even her feet. I may try a stuffed Kong. I was thinking of going to compressed rawhide but then read that these too can cause problems http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dtreat.html#Rawides, For now, we are giving ours the puffed rawhide and they seem to be okay. I always feel like the bad guy when it's time to take the chew away from them so I swap them for a food treat. In the end, it's up to us to do what's best for our dogs. They say there is some risk with anything that's fun. Please keep us posted on how Tux is doing. Use the A&D ointment after every bm and his poor sheepie-butt should start feeling better. I hope he's feeling like his old self real soon! |
| Thanks so much for the information. I read EVERYTHING and determined that it was not an intestinal blockage. I have used the A & D regularly -- along with a spray that my vet gave me. I think the spray may resemble that spray stuff that they give new mommies!! Anyway, yesterday he did have a fairly regular BM--and now he is walking much better. I'm sure that as his hair starts to grow back--he is going to itch like crazy! Anyway, thanks so much for the help. As always, I just love it that I can come to this sight when I have concerns. And, it does make me feel better when I hear that I'm not the only one that can mess up when it comes to my precious Sheepie!!!! |
| Interesting chain on the rawhides...does anyone know if beef tendons and pigs ears are safe? Any other suggestions for safe chew toys? |
| I was actually told by a person in PETSMART NOT to buy the regular rawhide. SHe showed me a different rawhide bone, I think it was compressed, at any rate it is cut up and put back together. It comes apart into smaller pieces when chewed but seems to last just as long. The smaller pieces prevent choking and intestinal blockage.
I also get compressed pigs hide, it is easier to digest than the cows hide. Pigs ears also break into smaller pieces. Bully sticks were originally made from bull "parts" but there are alot of "knock off" out there, personally I prefer the knock off. About the only place I've seen the original lately is in the bulk bin at Agway. |
| OMG.....I won't be subscribing to that news letter!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| I hate to say it but I wish I had not read the the post to find out exactly what they were, bully sticks. I just new they were natural and way better than rawhide. What can I say my dog has chewed on them since he was pup. We went to the pet store in Evergreen and and the girl that was working gave him one and he loved it. So I have bought them for him ever since. He also likes those great big cow knuckles you can get. |
| I quit giving my guys rawhide because when they were finished with them grooming their paws was like they had stuck them in a glue pot. I much prefer to give them marrow bones. They clean them up and when they have all the marrow sucked ouf of them I put a dollup of peanut butter in them and they will entertain themselves for hours. Plus I've never had a problem with them chewing up anything. If they get one with thin brittle ends, I pitch them before they break them off and chock on the pieces. Another benefit, they keep the teeth nice and white and gums healthy. No doggy breath. The down side, when they first clean them out, if they did it inside, the place smells like a butcher shop for a couple of hours.
I bought a 30 lb box of them - contained about 22 bones about 8 -10" long for $1.00 a lb. I cut them in half when I give them to the dogs. |
Downunder wrote: Interesting chain on the rawhides...does anyone know if beef tendons and pigs ears are safe? Any other suggestions for safe chew toys?
It is funny to me to see this thread pop back up and see that I was the one who asked that question. I have completely ruled out rawhides. I didn't even remember that I had asked about them. The tendons are supposed to be fully digestible and safe. My dogs love them -- especially Jumbo Phat Flossies. They also love the cow tracheas (moo tubes), which are a long lasting somewhat crunchy treat. They are fully digestible and a good source of chondroitin (for joints). And bully sticks. . . their eyes light up and they do a little dance for the bully sticks. |
Valerie wrote: And bully sticks. . . their eyes light up and they do a little dance for the bully sticks.
Who doesn't? |
ButtersStotch wrote: Valerie wrote: And bully sticks. . . their eyes light up and they do a little dance for the bully sticks. Who doesn't? LOL! Literally! Very funny. |
| A friend of mine with small children (3 and 5 yrs.) went to the feed store with them to pick out some goodies for their dog...she explained what pigs ears and pig "snoozels" (snouts) were to them, and was a bit horrified when they asked, "But mommy, we want to see the PIGS!" Aparently these poor kids were picturing a pen of earless, noseless pigs out back!!! |
| Aparently these poor kids were picturing a pen of earless, noseless pigs out back!!!
This made me laugh so hard I was almost in tears |
| I sell dog treats although I do not sell rawhide. I agree with most of the posts on rawhide. The consensus is that rawhide does not fully digest and it can splinter and cause obstructions. This is a fact, but does not mean that you dog will ever have a problem.
Bully sticks are safer, but nothing is 100%. The advantage of bully sticks is that they do not splinter and it will take the dog awhile to get through one. Also, they are almost completely protein and very healthy. The main craze is that the dogs are crazy for them and they keep them occupied. They help clean the teeth and encourage their natural chewing desire, rather than your furniture. Beware, there are different degrees of Bully Sticks from very smelly to odor free. Any other questions, just ask. Http://www.BullyStickDirect.com |
| giggle I never knew that. I gave i'm them ONCE... it smelt so bad once they started chewing it I had to throw it away. BUT THEY did like it. |
Winston used to do the Sheepie dance for Bully sticks  - He loved them! But one time when he wasn't feeling well, he threw up a three to four inch piece of Bully Stick. I always thought I watched him close - but it scared me enough I haven't given him Bully sticks since. |
| Although I am not a Sheepie owner, I am a dog Pug owner and dog lover who read this a feel like it's my duty to let everyone know my experience. Last night my husband gave my dog a compressed rawhide bone. My husband saw her swallow half of the rawhide unchewed. My dog seemed to gag and spit up for about an hour then went to sleep. Than this morning, she was in so much distress, gaging, vomiting, she couldn't lay down, and was so uncomfortable. I took her to the animal ER and they had to perform an upper endoscopy on her and remove the compressed rawhide that was lodged in her esophagus. $1000 later, my dog is resting and ok but will never have rawhide ever again. I have to go calll and warn all the other dog owners I know Good Luck! |
| Best Bully Sticks is the internets leading <strike>provider</strike> [er spammer] of all natural dog chews and treats and strives to keep its pricing affordable for everyone! Please visit the site by clicking here: [spam deleted] |
| hey welcome bullystick guy.. i have bought from you the pass year my dogs also love the stuff tracea tubes not sure if i want to know now what they are stuffed with |
Bully Sticks Spammer wrote: Best Bully Sticks is the internets leading <strike>provider</strike> [er spammer] of all natural dog chews and treats and strives to keep its pricing affordable for everyone! Please visit the site by clicking here: [spam deleted]
Feel free to contact me to purchase advertising on oes.org |
| omg ! i am so glad u didn't try to explain that one |
| I would like some insight into if rawhide when regularly digested, (no more then 1 helping a day at best ) well chewed and softened, doesn't get compacted in a dogs' stomach. My dog doesn't get constipated, yet i wonder if her intestines are digesting them completely or is here intestines holding some back to where it can become toxic (small stool size). She is older,( 11yrs) although her breed does age exceptionally I am concerned that I might be doing unbeknown harm. I thank any contributor who can give me advice on this question.Thanks. |
| I followed this thread on and off over the last few years, and since it's back I wanted to add my thought. I worry about blockages of course, but we gave up rawhides quite some time ago because of our concerns about bacteria. They get wet and dirty and yucky. Shortly after that there was a recall in the news due to salmonella. I wasn't surprised. Our dogs now enjoy nylabone rings (the only thing they don't seem to be able to tear pieces from). I know they're not comparable, but I can throw them in the dishwasher and they're good as new. Hudson had a dentastix (would the singular be dentastik?) once, he threw up for twenty four hours, became horribly sick and ended up spending the night at the vet on IV fluids (he dehydrated quickly and his kidneys were actually in distress...he's all better now thank goodness...but that was a very scary night followed by a pretty scary bill). Of course, despite being obsessively careful about this kind of stuff, Rudy still ate a sock, several pens, a remote control, and most recently about a ten by ten piece torn perfectly out of the CENTER of a handmade afghan. Thanks Rudy. And all seems to pass for him without incident. |
| The only rawhide we use are the Wholesome Hide rawhides from Pet Extras. The Wholesome Hide are one piece of rawhide wrapped so there are no small pieces of rawhide that can come apart. The rawhides you get from Pet co and pet Smart and most other places are not one piece and have smaller pieces stuck into the middle as filler. Tjose small pieces can become dislodged and cause a blockage and BIG problem for yuour dog. Wholesome Hide are different and are one single piece, just rolled. So there are no small pieces inside. We have had no problems with these. But I never give any chew toy, bone or anything else unless I am there to supervise. |
| I never used rawhides because I heard of all the horror stories about how unsafe they are. I have a Yorkie, two Malteses and an ACD. Well when I got my Australian Cattle Dog puppy, being that she's larger and could go through the Flossies (bully sticks) so quickly, I bought the compressed rawhides for her. Well my 5 yr old female Maltese was chewing on a piece and it got lodged in her throat. She was having such a hard time breathing. I tried to get it out and couldn't I rushed her to emergency. They had to sedate her because she was in such distress...she was panicking from being barely able to breathe. The vets dislodged it into her stomach to pass naturally. She stayed in the hospital overnight to be monitored...and after several x-rays and $700 later, she came home the next morning. However, this was only a week and a half ago. Although it's not likely, there is the possibility it could cause an intestinal blockage. PLEASE DO NOT USE RAWHIDES...there are other much healthier, safer options out there. However, with that being said, all toys and chewies should be supervised. If you're not home, pick them up! |
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