You've likely seen those rawhide chews in pet shops or online and maybe even watched your dog enjoy chewing on one. But you might have also heard people saying they're dangerous for dogs. On the other hand, some say they're a natural, healthy treat that cleans teeth and keeps dogs entertained.
It's easy to get confused about whether rawhide chews are good or bad for your dog. Talking to your vet is always the best idea, but this guide might help you understand the different opinions on rawhide.
What's Rawhide Chews Made of Anyway?
Rawhide is made from an animal's skin or hide. It's not the same as leather, made from the hide's outer layer. Rawhide comes from the inner layer and isn't treated like leather.
Most rawhide chews are made from cowhide, but they can also be made from other animals like pigs or sheep. Before it's made into the shapes you see in pet shops, rawhide is dried and treated with chemicals to remove any hair and fat.
This process also stops it from rotting and makes it white or cream-coloured. Interestingly, the outer layer of the same hide is used to make leather clothes, shoes, and furniture.
It's important to know that not all rawhide chews are the same. Many use leftover animal hides from the leather industry, which might have been stored in salt for weeks or even months to keep them fresh.
Why Do Dogs Love Rawhide Chews?
Dogs naturally love to chew. For puppies, chewing helps with teething pain. Adult dogs chew to keep their teeth clean and their jaws strong. Chewing also helps dogs relax and deal with boredom or anxiety. It's like a self-soothing activity for them, and if it’s natural and tastes good, even better!
That's why they often give dogs rawhide chews when we catch them chewing on things they shouldn't, like furniture or sneakers. It helps to redirect their chewing and keep their belongings safe.
How Long Does Rawhide Take to Digest?
It depends on your dog and the rawhide itself. Since rawhide chews are made from dried animal skin, it's not easy for dogs to digest!
While dogs can easily digest meat and natural chews, rawhide is different. Their stomachs can't break it down properly, so it often comes out the other end in big pieces, without being broken down. This can cause problems, like choking, blockages, or tummy upset.
I've Heard Rawhide Is Good For Dogs' Teeth. Is That True?
Rawhide chews can help to scrape away plaque and tartar on a dog's teeth when they chew on it. But they can also damage their gums and mouth if they break into sharp pieces.
How much risk it is depends on how aggressively a dog chews. Many dogs can chew on rawhide without hurting their teeth. But before you give your dog a rawhide chew, remember that it also depends on how hard the rawhide is.
Some rawhides, and other chew toys, are very hard. These can break a dog's teeth if they chew on them hard enough.
Is Rawhide Chews Bad for Dogs?
Many brands say their rawhide chews are safe, especially if used properly. This might be true if the rawhide is fresh, unbleached, and hasn't been treated with harmful chemicals. But most vets agree that there are still some risks.
Let's take a closer look at rawhide. It comes from the hides of animals, usually hoofed ones like cows, horses, and water buffalo. Animal hides have layers, just like human skin, but the layers are much thicker. The outer layer is used for leather goods like accessories, shoes, bags, and furniture. The inner layer is stripped of fat, muscle, and hair, which becomes your dog's rawhide chew.
So far, so good, right?
It is a natural chew. If you've ever had a dog who eats cat litter or digs in the garden, you can probably think of worse things for them to chew on!
But there's more to the story. And this is where the dangers of rawhide start.
The hides have to be processed in a factory, usually a tannery, to be cleaned and cut. In the UK, they're transported in refrigerated trucks to keep them fresh. But this isn't always the case in other countries. Sometimes, the hides are transported long distances in hot, closed vehicles for days. By the time they get to the factory, they can start to rot and smell bad. Then, they're bleached and treated with chemicals to remove the bad smell and colour.
Sometimes, chemicals are used instead of refrigeration to stop the hides from rotting. However, these chemicals can be dangerous for dogs to eat.
Even when the hides are cleaned properly, the process can involve chemicals like bleach or lye. Some countries even use arsenic or formaldehyde. Then, the hides are dried and cut into different shapes for dog chews. Since the hide is never cooked, it stays “raw” – that's why it's called rawhide.
Even though many rawhide chews are called “treats”, they're not really food. There are no rules about what goes into them or how they're made. The ingredients don't even have to be listed. So you have no way of knowing what chemicals were used, or even which animal the hide came from.
In addition,
Because the hides come from animals, there's a chance they could have E. coli or salmonella bacteria on them. This can make the dog owners sick if they handle the treats, or dogs sick if they chew on them.
Even if we ignore the risk of chemicals or bacteria, there are other dangers to consider. Rawhide starts out very hard because it's made from dried collagen. As the dog chews, it gets softer because of their saliva. Eventually, it gets soft enough for them to bite off a piece and swallow. Sometimes, pieces get stuck in their teeth, and you or your vet might have to help get them out.
Another problem is that dogs sometimes try to swallow pieces that are too big. This can make them choke. Or even worse, the piece could get stuck in their windpipe. This can be very dangerous, and your vet might have to remove the piece.
Even if a piece goes down their throat, it could get stuck in their tummy, making it hard for them to poop, and your vet might have to do surgery.
Some rawhide chews can break into sharp pieces, exactly like real bones. These sharp pieces, like bone splinters, can hurt the dog's mouth, tongue, or gums. They can also cut the dog's airpipe or poke holes in the tummy.
Not all dogs like rawhide. Some dogs might get sick, throw up, or have diarrhoea if they eat rawhide. If your dog gets sick after eating rawhide, take them to the vet as soon as possible to ensure they're okay.
What Are Some Safe, Natural Alternatives To Rawhide?
If you're looking for safer, natural alternatives for your dog, there are lots of rawhide-free options available at Sparkly Tails. We'll cover 7 great natural choices for dogs of all ages and sizes.
Beef Collagen Sticks 30cm
Beef collagen sticks are air-dried and packed with good stuff! Collagen is a protein that helps keep your dog's joints and skin healthy, plus a whole bunch of other benefits. These chews are high in protein and low in fat, and they're tough and last a long time – perfect for cleaning teeth! They're made up of 61.96% protein, 25.49% fat, 5.94% ash, and 6.5% moisture.
These tasty treats are made from the inner layer of cow skin, called the corium, which contains a lot of collagen. The elasticity of the corium makes it a safe and amenable substance to chew, and it's easy for dogs to digest.
Rabbit Ears With Fur
These super clean rabbit ears are treated with fur and are all-natural, so they're perfect for satisfying your dog's natural chewing instincts. The fur helps clean their digestive system, clean their teeth, massage their gums, and strengthen their bite. Made up of 81.1% protein, 4.3% fat, and 3.5% ash.
Bouncy Rope Toy
This bouncy rope toy is made from organic natural rubber and cotton rope, perfect for a fun game of tug-of-war in the park or at the beach. It's super durable, floats in water, and is a great addition to your dog's toy collection.
Retorn makes these awesome fetching toys from organic natural rubber, straight from the rubber tree. This means your dog won't be exposed to any harmful stuff while they play.
Cow Udder Sticks
Packed with protein and super chewy, these sticks are perfect for keeping teeth and gums healthy and strong. They're also a great source of essential nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, and iron. These sticks are a winning combination of taste, texture, and nutritional benefits!
- Protein: 54.41%
- Fat: 33.35%
- Moisture: 6.71%
- Ash: 5.53%
Buffalo Horn
For a chew that really lasts, you can't beat buffalo horns! They're tough, have no smell, wear down slowly, and you can even fill them with delicious peanut butter or pâté to make them even more tempting. These chews are made of keratin, making them low in fat and great for keeping teeth, gums, and jaw muscles strong. Also, they're perfect for puppies 12 weeks and older.
Premium Beef Tails
These premium beef tails are a great choice for a chew that lasts longer than most. They're high in protein and low in fat, and they're a tasty alternative to pizzle. Perfect for cleaning your dog's teeth and keeping their gums healthy.
They're grain and gluten-free, packed with protein for muscle and tissue repair, and have collagen for a healthy coat and skin. They also contain glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints, plus calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones with no additives or preservatives.
Long Beef Air Pipe (Trachea)
Looking for a chew that's as natural as it gets? This air-dried beef trachea is the real deal – 100% natural and air-dried to perfection. It's packed with protein and good for keeping gums and joints healthy.
In addition, it's a great way to keep your dog entertained because the air pipes are long enough to keep even the biggest chewers busy. The air pipes contain 72.12% protein, 17.87% fat, 7.56% moisture, and 2.45% ash, so you know it's good stuff!
