Rawhide's are made of dried cow or pig hides and processed into a variety of shapes and sizes. Some rawhide's also come with garlic, beef, or cheese flavors to increase your dogs interest. A proper rawhide should have some flexibility and should be made in North America to reduce the amounts of added chemicals. When selecting a chew, use caution. To turn white, some rawhide's have been bleached with titanium oxide or washed in formaldehyde.
Rawhide's are good for the dog's teeth and gums, a great source to relieve boredom, and satisfy a dog's natural need to chew. When selecting a chew, it is a good idea to select a size that appears to be slightly too big for your dog. This will help prevent your dog from finishing the chew too soon and possibly choking. Anytime your dog chews a rawhide small enough to fit in his mouth, the chew needs to be thrown out. If your dog enjoys these chews and you notice small pieces of rawhide hanging off the chew, cut them off with scissors to prevent the dog from ingesting them. Always supervise your dog with any type of rawhide.
Pros:
1. Dogs love the flavor and scent of rawhide's.
2. Compressed rawhide lasts longer and is more durable than shredded rawhide. Cons:
1. Not ideal for aggressive chewers. Large pieces can be swallowed or consumed quickly. This can cause an intestinal blockage.
2. Compressed rawhide's can cause damage to teeth. 3. Chemical preservatives found in inferior rawhide may be dangerous to a dog's health. 4. Rawhide's with flavor can stain carpet and furniture. This can possibly encourage the dog to chew carpet and furniture.
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Holly S.Owner and trainer for Furry Tail Dog Training. Archives
July 2022
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