Problems Stemming From Rawhide Chews

Many dogs alleviate boredom by chewing. Rawhide chews can entertain dogs, keep their teeth clean and provide them with something suitable to chew. However, there are certain risks associated with rawhide. Pet owners must compare the risks to the benefits to determine if these chews are acceptable for their pet.

  1. Chemical Contamination

    • According to Web MD, rawhide chews are made from cow and horse hides. The hides are cleaned, ground and pressed into squares, twists or bones. The hides can become contaminated with chemicals or solvents during the cleaning process. Rawhide is processed with tannic acid in some countries and formaldehyde in others, both of which are dangerous chemicals when ingested.

    Bacterial Contamination

    • In addition to becoming contaminated with dangerous chemicals, rawhides are made from the skins of animals. Animal-based products are susceptible to biological contamination. There have been cases in which rawhide chews have been contaminated with bacteria, such as in 2008 when the New Jersey-based Hartz Company recalled 4,850 bags of chicken rawhide strips containing the presence of salmonella.

    Choking and Digestive Hazards

    • Dogs can become enthusiastic over their rawhide chews. Sometimes they get carried away and accidentally swallow a large piece of rawhide. Dr. Jeannie Thomason, writer for the Holistic Option, warns that this is a choking hazard because it can create a blockage in the esophagus or farther down in the dog's digestive system. It also can scrape the tender lining inside the throat and cause coughing and irritation.

      Not all dogs can tolerate rawhide bones. Some may be sensitive or allergic to the rawhide itself, while others may have a reaction to the chemicals that were used during the manufacturing process. Dogs that have a rawhide intolerance may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

    Precautions

    • Many of the problems with rawhide chews such as blockages or choking can be reduced if the dog is supervised. Small pieces that can easily slide down the dog's throat should be taken away. If the dog is separated from other dogs, it is less likely to try to swallow the entire thing at once. Finally, if the dog has had diarrhea or vomiting in the past after chewing on rawhide, a different kind of treat may be preferable. There are a wide variety of rubber bones and chew toys on the commercial market that may be less hazardous for dogs in the long term.