Is rawhide bad for dogs?

Quick takeaways about rawhide

• Most rawhide products aren’t easy for your dog to digest.
• If your dog swallows lumps of rawhide, this can cause intestinal blockages.
• Natural chews like raw bones or bully sticks are a safer, healthier option.

 

Did you know that chewing is important for dogs for lots of reasons? It can help stimulate and stave off boredom, plus it can help to clean their teeth naturally.

But, with so many different chews on the market, it’s hard to choose options that are both healthy for your dog and fit your budget. After all, treats and chews on top of their regular food can all add up!

You’ll likely see rawhide chews in every pet shop. They’re easily available, durable and often inexpensive. But, is rawhide safe for dogs? The answer is – it depends.

Sometimes, cheap rawhide chews can do more harm than good. The manufacturing process sometimes uses harmful chemicals which can end up in the product.

And, if your pooch is a strong chewer, there’s a risk that they can swallow lumps of rawhide, which can cause intestinal blockages.

Here, we share the lowdown on rawhide and suggest some healthier alternatives.

 

What is rawhide and how are chews made?

Rawhide is animal skin that’s a by-product of the leather industry. It’s often soaked in brine to slow the decay and then stored before being disinfected, sterilised and dehydrated.

Sometimes, chemicals are used in the process like hydrogen peroxide. The rawhide is then formed into chews and sometimes shapes like bones or shoes. They can be dyed or held together with glue.

 

Why can rawhide be bad for dogs?

There are a few reasons why this might not be the best chew choice for your pooch:

 

1. It can cause blockages in the gut

Rawhide is tough to chew, even for the most experienced chompers.

If your dog swallows large lumps or fragments of rawhide, this can lead to gastrointestinal blockages or diarrhea – according to a recent review published in the Translational Animal Science journal.

 

2. It’s not very digestible

The same study also found that it was the least digestible chew when they compared rawhide to a range of other chews such as meaty treats, dental chews and biscuits.

This is because rawhide may start hard, but as your dog chews, it becomes a chewy, indigestible consistency.

These chunks of rawhide can stay in your dog’s guts for a while, potentially leading to bouts of tummy trouble and digestive upset.

 

3. It’s not the most nutritious

Probably one of the biggest reasons to swerve rawhide if you can is that it usually contains nothing of nutritional value for dogs.

Instead, there are plenty of other natural options so that your dog gets a good chew but also some nutrients too.

 

The best alternatives to rawhide chews

There are plenty of nutritious chew options for dogs, here’s our top pick:

 

Raw bones

Chews like chicken wings, duck necks and marrow bones can be good for raw-fed dogs. They’re highly nutritious and provide different textures for your dog.

Just make sure to feed bones suitable for your dog’s size and experience. Check out our guide to raw bones.

 

Meaty chews

Other natural meaty treats like our beef chunks and poultry heart chunks can be a delicious treat for your raw-fed pooch. You can serve them as a snack or as the meat component in homemade raw meals.

Just check that you’re providing a balanced meal for your dog by checking out our advice on the packs.

 

Superfood chews

For senior dogs, puppies or dogs who prefer a softer chew, our air-dried bars are made from high-quality meat or fish, fruits and botanicals for a healthy snack.

 

Bully sticks

Also known as pizzles – these are chews made from bulls’ penises! Don’t worry, they look nothing like that when you buy them. The meat is air-dried for a healthier, natural chew.

They’re a long-lasting chew so will give your dog a great chewing workout.

 

How to choose healthy treats for your pooch

When you’re choosing treats for your dog, make sure to look at the labelling and ingredients.

The more items on the ingredient list you recognise the better! And look for treats with very few ingredients.

Always avoid feeding your dog cooked bones as these have a higher chance of splintering and causing problems.

 
Try our personalised meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients – including high-quality meat, fruits and vegetables – to help keep your dog healthy and happy.