Rawhide Bones for Dogs

Rawhide bones may be given to dogs, as they are enjoyable treats. There are also some rawhide chews that are also tasty and well liked by canines. However, these rawhide treats may also create some problems in dogs including allergies or intestinal blockage.

Advantages of Rawhide Bones

Rawhide dog bone treats can be administered for dogs as a reward.

The bones can improve the dental health of the dog, as the bones have a rough texture and this will remove the plaque deposits from the pet’s teeth, hindering the formation of tartar or calculus.

Dogs may often chew on rawhide bones to spend time and to prevent him from getting bored. Bored dogs may develop behavioral problems and start chewing on rugs and furniture.

Disadvantages of Rawhide Bones

The rawhide bones have a rough texture and this may be a problem for the teeth; dogs may break teeth or fracture the jaws. The rolled rawhide bones are more likely to cause fractures and break teeth.

The rawhide bones may also be dangerous for the dog as chunks of bone may get stuck in the throat of the dog and cause choking. In addition, bone splinters can cause internal organ punctures.

In some cases, the rawhide bones may be difficult to digest, especially if the dog has a diet that is poor in fibers. The rawhide bone residues may stay in the stomach and may even cause an intestinal obstruction. This condition may lead to surgery, if the condition is severe.

Some dogs may be allergic to rawhide bones and these may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Often, it is difficult to identify the rawhide bones as being the allergens, especially if the dog eats these on a regular basis.

Rawhide chews may also contain bacteria, as they are made of cattle skin. Consequently, the contamination with salmonella or other bacteria is possible through the ingestion of rawhide bones and the dog may develop severe infections. However, the dog’s stomach produces a lot of acids that may kill the bacteria.

Choosing Rawhide Bones

Even if the rawhide bones present some risks, some dog owners choose to continue feeding rawhide bones to their dogs.

Choosing the safest rawhide bones is essential in preventing health complications.

The size of the rawhide bones should be suitable for the size of the dog. If the dog can swallow the bone, this can be dangerous.

The dog should also be supervised while chewing on the rawhide treats.

If the dog presents stomach problems or starts having allergic reactions after chewing on rawhide treats, these should be discontinued. The rawhide dog bones may also cause skin rashes.

Buying rawhide treats from a trusted source will ensure that the bones are not contaminated with bacteria, so there is no risk of infection.

The flattened rawhide bones are safer than the rolled bones. The rawhide bones may also be pressed; these are less likely to cause broken teeth and jaw fractures.

 

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