The Scoop On Rawhide Dog Chews

A Guide To Rawhide Dog Chews And Raw Bones That All Dog Owner's Should Read!

Rawhide Or Raw Period

Dog owners must realize that feeding a dog any type of bone can be risky. There is always the possibility of the bone getting lodged in the intestines and the stomach along with the colon becoming impacted. Therefore, supervision is a must.

What Is Rawhide?

A layer of hide that usually comes from cattle. It is not only used to make dog treats, lamp shades and drum heads, but Native Americans used buffalo hide to make clothing and TeePee's as well. Like their ancestors, dogs have a natural instinct to hunt and chew and it is believed that rawhide satisfies this need for Fido.

Which Type Of Rawhide Dog Chew Is Best For My Dog, Natural Or Pressed?

•  Natural is white in color unless it has been basted with flavorings and is harder than the pressed form.

•  The pressed form is a granulated form molded into a particular shape, usually a bone. This form is softer than the natural hide.

Our own dog's seem to digest the 5" chew sticks much easier than the standard rawhide dog chews. However, we prefer and recommend only USA rawhide and 5" rawhide sticks are generally imported.

We typically feed our dogs either "Beef Tails" or "Bull Pizzle Chews (Bull Penis) manufactured in the USA. Both, Bull Pizzle Chews and Beef Tails are a good choice of rawhide dog chews for dogs that like to swallow their treats whole. They are also high in protein and easier for dogs to digest.

Again, since the curing of rawhide is so important, we strongly recommend American made rawhide or rawhide that has been U.S.D.A. inspected.

A Bone Does More Than Keep Your Dog Busy

The constant chewing scrapes and cleans his teeth by removing tarter and plaque.

However, chewing any type of bone does not adequately clean your dog's teeth. Brushing his teeth weekly in addition to bone chewing helps aid in the prevention of Periodontal Disease.

Now they have dental pads that you can use to clean your dogs teeth if you are uncomfortable with brushing.

The Right Size

A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the rawhide dog chew is approximately 2" bigger than your dogs mouth so that he can't swallow the entire rawhide dog chew at one time.

Raw Bones

Raw meaty bones are instinctive for dogs. Most dogs love raw meat and a raw bone straight from the butcher shop is even better. By providing a treat in this form you are actually allowing your dog to be a dog; like nature intended. Keep in mind that many vet's debate the issue of feeding bones of any kind to dogs.

Should Raw Bones Be Cooked?

Absolutely Not. Never give your dog cooked or boiled bones. Cooked bones splinter and are depleted of all the natural benefits.

Raw Bone Equals Clean Teeth

A raw bone is one of the most effective teeth cleaning agents available for your dog.

What About Bacteria?

Nature has not only given the dog a very acidic stomach, but a short digestive tract as well. This means that even if any bacteria makes it to the stomach, the acid in the dogs belly generally kills it. It's always a good idea to give any raw bones outside and throw away any left over pieces.

Rawhide and Gastric Swelling (Bloat)

Remember that rawhide enlarges once swallowed which means it has the potential to cause gastric swelling (bloat). This seems to be more common in the large deep chested dogs, but any dog can be affected by this very dangerous condition.

Become Informed About Bloat and Know The Symptoms: If you ever see any of the following symptoms in your dog, GET HIM TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL HIS BELLY BECOMES ENLARGED, A HALF AN HOUR IS CRITICAL AND COULD MEAN LIFE OR DEATH:

•  Pacing
•  Resting in unusual places
•  Salavating, heavy panting, whining
•  Restless and uncomfortable
•  Agitated
•  Unproductive vomiting although he may produce a foamy substance
•  Excessive drooling and gagging
•  Swelling in abdominal area which may or may not be noticeable

Supervision is always recommended when your dog chews rawhide or any type of bone. You have to determine which rawhide dog chews, if any, work best for your old dog. You can always throw in an occasional raw meaty bone to give him a good teeth cleaning and a real nice treat for him as well.

Also, be sure to toss any left over pieces due to bacterial build-up.

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