Dogs and bones go together like PB&J, but what do we really know about the rawhides we feed our canine companions? Rawhide bones are traditionally made from the inner layer of a horse or cow's hide. This hide is stripped and cleaned of all the debris, cut or ground, then pressed into bone shapes or other treats of different shapes and sizes.
On NolongerWild, we are going to uncover all the facts about rawhide bones for dogs, what benefits and cautions are of feeding this type of treat and our top 5 best rawhides for dogs on the market today.
Best Rawhides for Dogs at a Glance (Top 5)
Did you know there are FIVE common types of rawhide bones? These include:
1. Granulated Rawhide. As the name implies these rawhides are made from ground up rawhide and are the softest ones on the market (they crumble). These are great for puppies and those "lazy" chewers.
2. Compressed Rawhide. This type of rawhide is made from several layers of rawhide that is compressed into a very dense, bone-shaped chew. It does not have any knots on the ends and is perfect for large dogs or those aggressive chewers.
3. Chips, Strips & Chewflips. These tend to be smaller as they are cut from strips of rawhide. They also tend to soften more easily and are not recommended for large dogs or aggressive chewers as they could pose a choking hazard.
4. Rolled/Cut Rawhide. These are usually made from two sheets of rawhide that are rolled together with a knot on each end to make a bone-shape.
5. Bully Sticks. Made from the penis of the cow, these "rawhide" chews are an all-natural alternative to traditional rawhide bones.
Since rawhide bones are made from a natural substance, they will break down. For this reason, we have found some precautions you will want to take when giving your dog or puppy this type of treat - keep the rawhide chewing fun!
Signs of Problems
Even with precautions, rawhides (like any other tough chew) can cause problems. Watch for these signs in your dog.
If your dog has recently eaten a rawhide bone and is now exhibiting any of these symptoms, be sure to call your veterinarian and tell him/her the symptoms and the type of rawhide that was consumed.
References:
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/rawhide-good-or-bad-for-your-dog#1
http://www.fidosavvy.com/rawhide-dog-chews.html
Giving your dog rawhide is a great way for dog to fulfill his chewing instincts, as well as to help relieve boredom and to give him a cleaner mouth. However, as with any product be sure to supervise your dog while he is eating a rawhide and remove the bone when it becomes too small to avoid a choking hazard and other potential problems.
