My Bestfriend

Rawhide dog chews are very popular treats for pooches. They are usually made from cow or pig skin. They are relatively inexpensive and dogs seem to enjoy biting, chewing and gnawing on them for hours. Actually, it’s not the rawhide that the dogs like but the act of chewing which exercise their jaws and keep their teeth and gums healthy as well as relieve boredom and stress.

However, rawhide has no nutritional value at all. In fact, these type of treats are packed with artificial coloring and preservatives that can sometimes cause severe allergic reactions in dogs. Responsible pet ownership advocate, Shaun Olmstead, discourage dog owners from giving commercially available rawhide treats to their pets as some of these products can be contaminated with harmful bacteria which can cause rashes and irritation on the dog’s mouth and the inside of their lips. Furthermore, rawhides are indigestible and can cause causes digestive problems very similar to gastroenteritis, requiring immediate veterinarian attention.

As an alternative treat to rawhide, Olmstead suggests giving your pet non-toxic chew toys like twist cotton ropes or Nylabone products. Better yet, you can personally make a dried up beef joint bone for your beloved pet. Just get a knee or shoulder bone at your butcher and choose a size that is too big for your dog to break or swallow. Boil the bone and then dry in the oven at 350 degrees F until dry. This bone will probably last forever and will do wonders for your dog’s teeth.

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