Rawhide Bones Are Bad for Dogs

Rawhide dog chews are bad for dogs and what is believed to have killed my German Shepherd many years ago.

I talked to someone that was a vet about my suspicions and he said it is very much a possibility that rawhide was the cause of her death since it is hard for them to digest.

"Candy" was obsessed with her rawhide bone and never tired of chewing and eventually devouring it. Prior to her death at only 7 years old, she would let us know it pained her to touch her tummy. Hearing that this breed may be prone to hip problems, I thought maybe she had over-exercised.

One morning, my daughter ran to me and said "Mom, Candy can't breath! We rushed her to the vet and she did a number of tests, finding nothing. After only 2 hours total, she was dead!
Now I have a new German Shepherd, Kali (pictured above) and she will never know what a rawhide dog bone is. At 4 years old, she is a loving and great dog.

She is exercised well and rarely barks, she loves people and attention and has never had an "accident" since she was 5 weeks old. More importantly, she is healthy and has never even as much as passed gas.

I think the sale of rawhide dog chews for dogs should be prohibited and I tell anyone that will listen! I'm thankful for my conversation with that vet.