Chew toys made of raw cowhide rolled into tubes and knotted into bonelike shapes are popular with dogs and owners. Many dogs enjoy these treats and have no problems while gnawing on them or afterward, although some have experienced problems.
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Benefits
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Rawhide bones can provide a dog with a certain amount of exercise, clean its teeth and distract it from chewing on things it shouldn't --- like shoes and chair legs.
Warning
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Web MD notes that if too much of the rawhide softened by chewing comes off in large chunks and is swallowed, it can upset your dog's stomach or even cause life-threatening intestinal blockage.
Considerations
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Buy only high-quality toys made from large sheets of rawhide (not little bits pressed into shape). Dog-bones.com recommends selecting a bone that is appropriate for the dog's size --- too big is better than too small. Supervise all chewing sessions and remove the toy when it starts to become soft, as well as any pieces that come off.
Alternatives
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Real beef bones --- great big ones that, according to the Nature's Menu website, should always be raw and never cooked --- can be a good chew toy for your dog. The site K911 recommends natural, undyed and untreated 100 percent cotton rope as a superior dog toy for chewing or other play.
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