Another rawhide question

[nat's angel]

Hello everyone! I haven't posted in a while-been busy with Daisey who is now almost 6 mos old. Everytime we go to the store to buy her food Daisey tries to get to the bulk rawhide items-she wants them badly. I asked the lady who is her trainer(puppy classes)and she said compressed rawhide treats are good compared with regular rawhide. Is this true? I am assuming the same holds true for compressed rawhide with respect to the chemical processing the product is subjected to. Also, what about chews that are made of beef tendon, like Flossies? As I type this Daisey is desperately trying to get my attention by throwing her new toy at my feet! What a character! I'd appreciate any advise on the subject. Thanks. Natalie J

[franp]

[QUOTE=nat's angelbadly. I asked the lady who is her trainer(puppy classes)and she said compressed rawhide treats are good compared with regular rawhide. Is this true? I am assuming the same holds true for compressed rawhide with respect to the chemical processing the product is subjected to. . Thanks. Natalie J[/QUOTE]

Natalie,

Compressed rawhide MAY be better than regular rawhide.. but better is a relative term..

NO rawhide comes into my house..NONE ,EVER.....

Rawhide ,no matter what the form can swell in the stomach/intestines and cause blockage..Rawhide can choke our dogs as well.
As for the chemicals;I don't know what chemicals are used and that is another reason no rawhide is allowed in my home..

I have heard way too many first hand stories of people pulling rawhide from thier dogs throats..As well as surgeries..It is not worth it to me to risk my dog's life..

Fran

[nat's angel]

Thanks Franp- I will follow your lead and not give Daisey any type of rawhide.

[gmacleod]

There are three main reasons never to give raw hide (or pigs ear, or any other dried body part that is essentially leather):


They are a terrible choking hazard and many dogs have choked to death on raw hides.
Rawhide has to go through several rounds of chemical cleanings in order to remove all the hair from the hide. These tend to not be rinsed off fully and the chemicals thus get ingested by the dog.
Dried body parts (essentially leather) are also a bacteria hazard. Dogs' digestion systems are designed for fast processing of meat and bones, and that speed is their natural defence against bacteria. But dogs don't digest rawhide, it sits around in their stomach for some time before being passed in the same state as it went in. This can result in food poisoning, the mildest symptom of which is diarrhoea and vomitting.
If the rawhide doesn't get passed, it can cause obstructions.