The dog treat aisle of your favorite pet store is undoubtedly filled with rawhide chews of all shapes, sizes, flavors and brands. Despite its popularity, there are differing opinions about rawhide for dogs based on how it’s made, whether it’s safe for your dog, and what alternatives exist. Luckily, if you want to avoid rawhide chews altogether, there are plenty of great alternatives to rawhide, including dental chews and bully sticks. Let’s go through.
What is Rawhide?
Rawhide chewing gum is dried animal skin, made from the scraps of the leather industry. Rawhide is the inner layer (hypodermic interstitial tissue) of cow, horse and pig hides and is separated at the slaughterhouse.
How is rawhide made?
Most rawhides are made overseas and are preserved in high salt brine to slow down decomposition during transport. When ready for processing, it is treated with lime to separate the fat from the skin, and then other chemicals are used for hair removal. Then it is rinsed and, if necessary, bleached to appear whiter and cover signs of rot. Then the skin is disinfected, usually in a bath of hydrogen peroxide, rolled into sticks or shredded and molded into a shape, then dried. Finally, the rawhide is packaged and shipped to stores.
Where is rawhide made?
Today, there are only about 30 US tanneries in operation. Most tanneries use a huge amount of water and produce large volumes of wastewater. As a result, the majority of rawhide products are made in China, Mexico, and South America, which have fewer restrictions when it comes to environmental laws.
American rawhide 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 transport instead of being placed in brine.
Photo 2: Rawhide dog chews are usually made from cow and pig hides and come in many sizes and shapes. © Rachel Phelps
Should I give rawhide to my dog?
Most dogs are fans of this popular chew. Their owners are too, because
- Rawhide satisfies a dog’s natural instinct to chew. It’s a great, positive alternative to your pup chewing on your shoes, TV remotes, furniture, and other household items.
- It helps keep a dog’s teeth clean. Rawhide acts like a dog’s toothbrush that helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup and keeps their gums healthy.
- Dogs have been eating dried animal skins for thousands of years, so this is a great way to encourage a dog’s instinct to retrieve and stimulate your dog.
- Raw hides are cheap treats.
Is rawhide bad for my dog?
Of course, there is always a downside, even for chewing dogs.
- Due to the manufacturing process, there may be trace elements of toxic chemicals and bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella or coli, that could make you or your dog sick.
- Your dog may be sensitive to rawhide or even allergic to chemicals used to do so. This could lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea.
- Rawhide chews can pose a choking hazard. Not only can rawhide cause serious gastrointestinal upset, says Dr. Whitney Bruce, partner veterinarian at Wills Animal Hospital in Owensboro, Kentucky, but it can even lead to emergency surgeries. Pets can suffer from severe obstruction or blockage of their stomach or intestines, which can lead to death if not treated appropriately, says Dr. Bruce.
- Rawhide can cause broken teeth. The rawhide is tough and dense when dried and rolled up in dog chews. If a dog is an aggressive chewer or already has damaged teeth, chewing hard skin can lead to teeth breaking or cracking, sometimes requiring surgery to remove the broken teeth. Rawhide could also cause cuts and scrapes in the mouth and esophagus.
- There can be poor quality and lack of safety standards at the manufacturing plant. Since most rawhides are made in China, they are not required to meet US laws regarding product purity and safety. Additionally, tanners are not required to disclose or recall products that may be unsafe.
What are the alternatives to rawhide?
There are many excellent alternatives to rawhide chews. These products are usually made from ingredients that are easier to digest than rawhide, but have a similar look and feel. Since rawhide is not recommended for dogs under six months old due to tooth breakage and small mouths and digestive tracts, these alternatives are ideal for a teething pup.
- Beef and pork ears – Bring out your dog’s natural instincts with natural ears full of flavor. The Farm Hound brand even has ears that are still hairy. This hair acts as a digestive aid and a natural vermifuge. However, ears in general contain more fat, so they are not suitable for dogs that need a low fat diet. $3.49 – $6.99.
- bully sticks – These single ingredient sticks are a highly digestible chew made from beef pizzle (one muscle). These sticks come in different sizes, shapes, flavors and even three braided sticks. $2.09 – $13.09
- Cod skin rolls – These low odor chews from Tickled Pet are great for many dogs with allergies. These chews are made with just one ingredient, dehydrated salmon skin, and are packed with healthy omega-3 oils. Available in packs of eight to 10 rolls for $16.99.
- chewable collagen – Collagen is a protein present in the inner layer of the skin called the corium. It is one of the essential components of an animal’s connective tissue. “Collagen chews are great for your furry friend because they provide naturally abundant protein in your pet’s body,” says Traci Mierzwa, brand manager of Barkworthies dog chews. “While rawhides provide a great distraction for your pet, our 100% digestible collagen chews are minimally processed to ensure key nutrients are there to support healthy skin and coat, aid in the health of bones and joints, and the simple act of chewing prevents tartar and plaque buildup. Chews start at $9.99.
- dental chew – One of the great benefits of a rawhide is keeping your dog’s teeth clean and tartar free. There are great rawhide chew alternatives designed specifically for dental health, such as the Loving Pets brand Ora-Bone Dental Treats. Their unique design features a central bulb that cleans behind the dog’s teeth and the roof of the mouth while the tips massage the gums and scrape the tongue. These chewing gums are available in three sizes. Ten bites for $13.99.
- Resistant Toys – Goughnuts brand dog toys are designed for the most aggressive chewers. These 100% natural rubber toys are perfect for the toughest chewers and are guaranteed for life. These even have a chew toy safety indicator (a colored rubber band in the center) that lets you know when it’s time to replace 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 toys are available in different resistance levels for all sizes and types of chewers. $10 to $25 each.
Dogs should always be supervised when chewing rawhide – no matter which chew you choose – in case they gag or choke on the item. If the chew gets too small (small enough for your dog to swallow it whole), remove it from your dog immediately and dispose of it promptly.
Now that you understand how rawhide chews are made, the benefits of donating rawhide and the potential risks, and the many great alternatives to rawhide, you can make a more informed decision on the best chew. for your pet.
Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer, and certified dog trainer. She manages the career of her internet celebrity dog Preston from PrestonSpeaks.com. She has three Westies, who think they are mini-humans, and a cat, who runs the house. Learn more at rachelphelps.com.