Rawhide chews are constructed out of animal hide and come in different styles. Where they come from and whether or not they contain flavor can have an impactful impact on their quality.
Do not give your pet rawhide chew treats that they gulp down as this could potentially clog their digestive tract or even cause intestinal blockage. Keep a close watch on them while they chew anything including rawhide!
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Dental Care
Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, providing relief from boredom or anxiety while simultaneously strengthening teeth and gums. Veterinarians frequently recommend chewing bones as the ideal form of therapeutic chews; however, many are wary about rawhide chews due to chemicals used during processing; plus many pieces often break off into smaller pieces that pose potential choking hazards for our four-legged companions.
Before becoming rawhide, cow hides are treated with chemicals that whiten and puff them up, before being rolled into different shapes such as donuts, braids and knots for preservation with formaldehyde and chromium salts. Rawhides may also contain toxic quaternary ammonium compound mixtures used as cleaning products in food processing plants – leading to reports of salmonella and campylobacter contamination from these products – however there are safer alternatives made from natural ingredients that last as long-term alternatives compared to rawhides!
Stimulation
Dogs require mental stimulation and chewing on something hard is a great way to relieve anxiety and boredom. But selecting the correct chew for your pup is crucial – teething puppies require softer chews which protect gums and teeth while adult dogs and senior canines can handle harder chews without issue.
Rawhide leather is produced by cutting skin from cows that hasn’t been tanned; the outer layer can then be tanned and turned into shoes, purses, vests, belts or car seats; while its inner portion dries and processed into chew toys for dogs.
Traditional rawhide chews are not easily digestible and may lead to gastrointestinal blockages or obstructions in dogs with digestive issues, including history of obstruction. Instead, those with GI issues should opt for collagen or glucosamine chews which are gentler on stomachs while protecting teeth more efficiently over time.
Teething Pain
Rawhide is not digestible, so any chunks your dog swallows could lead to intestinal obstructions. Furthermore, many rawhide chews contain chemicals not listed on their labels, including lead, arsenic, mercury salts and formaldehyde used to clean, preserve or bleach its hide surface.
Puppies teething from 3 weeks to 18 months require chews designed to both protect their brittle baby teeth and massage their gums. Aggressive chewers could end up breaking or fractureing their chompers.
Dogs that tend to gulp down their chews or have gluten-free digestive issues are more prone to rawhide-related complications, so always supervise while they chew. Long-lasting natural chews made from elk antlers may provide safer solutions that cost less and better for the environment compared with rawhide; moreover, these natural chews are made in America using just four simple ingredients and clinically proven to reduce tartar and plaque build-up!
Chewing
Chewing provides comfort to many dogs and helps relieve symptoms of discomfort or anxiety, while simultaneously keeping teeth clean and strengthening jaws.
Rawhide bones begin as hard pieces, but chewing and saliva soften them over time, enabling pets to tear off small pieces that easily pass through their digestive systems.
Traditional rawhides are constructed using chemicals designed to make them tough and long-wearing, yet these same chemicals make it more likely to irritate a dog’s esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Aggressive chewers may ingest whole rawhides or large chunks that pierce through their digestive tract and organ linings and cause blockages that lead to major medical issues.
Alternatives to rawhide chews come in various shapes, sizes and lengths that will meet the chewing style of your dog. Select one that complements his chewing habits while avoiding flavored varieties which could irritate his stomach. Also keep an eye on him while he chews to remove any chews that appear old or dirty or could possibly pose choking hazards.
