Rawhide chew guide for dogs and the latest alternatives – Dogster

The dog aisle of your favorite pet store is sure to be filled with cowhide chews in a variety of shapes, sizes, flavors, and brands. Despite its popularity, there are mixed opinions about cowhide for dogs based on how it’s made, whether it’s safe for your dog, and what alternatives are available. Luckily, if you want to avoid chewing cowhide altogether, there are plenty of great cowhide alternatives out there including things like dental chews and bully sticks. Let’s go through it.

What is cowhide?

Rawhide chews are dried animal hides, made from the leftovers of the leather industry. Rawhide is the inner layer (subcutaneous interstitial tissue) of cow, horse and pork skin and is separated at the slaughterhouse.

How is cowhide made?

Most cowhide is produced abroad and is preserved in high salt brine to slow down decomposition during transportation. When it is ready for processing, it is treated with lime to separate the fat from the skin and then other chemicals are used for hair removal. Next, it is washed and, if necessary, bleached to appear whiter and to cover signs of rotting. The hide is then sterilized, usually in a hydrogen peroxide bath, rolled into sticks, or chopped and molded into shapes and then dried. Finally, the cowhide is packaged and shipped to the stores.

Where is cowhide made?

Today, there are only about 30 US tanneries in operation. Most tanneries use huge amounts of water and generate large amounts of wastewater. As a result, the majority of cowhide products are made in China, Mexico and South America, countries with fewer restrictions on environmental laws.

U.S. cowhide products tend to be fresher because they travel a shorter distance by truck, instead of crossing the ocean on container ships, and are frozen for shipping rather than brine .

Photo 2: Cowhide that eats dog meat is usually made from cowhide and pig skin, and comes in many sizes and shapes. © Rachel Phelps

Should I give my dog ​​cowhide?

Most dogs are a fan of this popular treat. So are their owners, because

• Rawhide responds to a dog’s natural chewing instinct. It is a great positive alternative for your dog chewing on your shoes, TV remotes, furniture and other household items.
• It helps keep your dog’s teeth clean. Rawhide works like a doggie toothbrush to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up, while keeping gums healthy.
• Canines have eaten dried animal skins for thousands of years, so it’s a great way to Encourage your dog’s scavenging instincts and stimulate your dog.
• Rawhides are cheap treatment.

Is cowhide bad for my dog?

Of course, there is always an upside, even when dogs chew.

• Due to the manufacturing process, there may be trace elements of toxic chemicals and bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella or coli, can make you or your dog sick.
• Your dog can sensitive to cowhide or even allergic to chemicals used to make it. This can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea.
• Rawhide chewing may be a choking hazard. Dr. Whitney Bruce, partner veterinarian at Wills Animal Hospital in Owensboro, Kentucky, explains that cowhide can not only cause serious digestive upsets, but they can even lead to surgery. emergency. Dr. Bruce said pets can develop a serious blockage or blockage of their stomach or intestines, which can lead to death if not treated appropriately.
• Rawhide can cause tooth fracture. Cowhide is hard and dense once dried and rolled into chewy dog ​​meat. If dogs are aggressive carnivores or have damaged teeth, chewing on the hard skin can lead to broken or cracked teeth – sometimes surgery to remove broken teeth. Cowhide can also cause cuts and abrasions in the mouth and esophagus.
• There may be low quality and lack of safety standards at the manufacturing plant. Since most cowhides are made in China, they are not subject to US laws regarding product purity and safety. In addition, tanners are not required to disclose or recall potentially unsafe products.

What are the cowhide alternatives?

There are many great cowhide chew alternatives out there. These products are often made from ingredients that are easier to digest than cowhide but have a similar appearance and texture. Since cowhide is not recommended for dogs under six months of age due to broken teeth and smaller mouths and digestive tracts, these alternatives are great for teething puppies.

• Beef and Pig Ears – Show off your dog’s natural scavenging instincts with flavorful natural ears. Hound farm the brand even has ears that still have feathers on them. This hair acts as a natural digestive aid and dewormer. However, ears are generally higher in fat, so they are not suitable for canines that require a low-fat diet. $3.49 – $6.99.
• Bully Sticks – These single component sticks are a easy to chew and digest made from beef (a type of muscle). These sticks come in different sizes, shapes, flavors, and even all three braids. $2.09 – $13.09
• Cod skin roll – These low odors chew the word Tickled Pet Great for many dogs with allergies. These chewable tablets are made with just one ingredient, dehydrated salmon skin and filled with healthy Omega-3 oils. Available in packs of eight to 10 rolls for $16.99.
• Chewable collagen Collagen is a protein found in the inner layer of the skin called the corium. It is one of the important components in the connective tissue of animals. Traci Mierzwa, brand director of Barkworthies chewing dog brand. “While cowhide helps distract your pet, our 100% digestible collagen chews are minimally processed to ensure key nutrients are there to help promote skin and coat health. Healthy hair, bone health support and the simple act of chewing help prevent tartar and plaque build-up. ” Chewing starts at $9.99.
• Dental Chewing One of the great benefits of cowhide is keeping your dog’s teeth clean and free of tartar. There are some great cowhide chew alternatives specifically designed for oral health, like the brand Ora-Bone Dental Treatment for Pets. Their unique design features a central bulb that cleans the back of the dog’s teeth and palate while the nibs massage the gums and scrape the tongue. These chews come in three sizes. Ten chews for $13.99.
• Tough toys – Pistachios Brand dog toys made for the most aggressive rodents. These 100% natural rubber toys are perfect for the toughest kids and come with a lifetime warranty. They even have a chew toy safety indicator (colored rubber band in the middle) that lets you know when it’s time to change the toy. According to president and founder Amy Rockwood, the rubber recipes are developed by an in-house engineer and the molds are designed for even the toughest chewers. The toy is available in different strengths for all different sizes and types of chewers. $10-$25 each.

Dogs should always be supervised when chewing cowhide – no matter what type of chew you choose – in case they gag or choke on it. If the chew becomes too small (small enough for your dog to swallow whole), remove it from your dog’s body immediately and dispose of it immediately.

Now that you understand how to chew cowhide, the benefits of chewing cowhide, and the potential risks, plus many great cowhide alternatives, you can make a more informed decision about how to chew well. best for your pet.