Rawhide bones

[Gusdad]

I was told recently that rawhide bones are unsafe/unhealthy for dogs. Does anyone know about this?
Thanks!

[Trickster]

They have been known to cause blockages which is why many avoid them.

From my own personal experience, I have never had a problem with feeding rawhide. My dogs don't get them often but when they do (I have a cheap supplier near me) they enjoy it. A reasonably sized compressed rawhide keeps them busy for a good hour or more.

I wouldn't say they are 'unhealthy' but they don't contain any nutritional value. They are more for chewing/entertainment value than anything else.

All this said...I much prefer giving my dogs raw meaty marrow bones.

[bebopalula]

My breeder said absolutely no rawhide. Can cause obstruction and possible perforation, so I have never given my puppy rawhide.

[goodguy]

These responses are 100% accurate... They can cause blockages etc.. My breeder said these are a big no no... I gave them to my dogs growing up and never had an issue. But my current girl sami I could see swallowing a big chunk and having an issue she's a pig!

[henrysmom]

Just to add, Greenies can cause blockages too if your pup is a gulper (rather than a chewer). Be careful with Greenies.

[black storm dog]

the breeder who i got my pup from told me no rawhide for first year cause the rawhides tend to swell up in the dogs tummy and can cause blockage/perforation. my 4 month old pup Storm has yet to try a rawhide. the breeder suggest i give my pup bully chew sticks which Storm really loves. they're a bit more expensive than rawhides but better safe than sorry.
i also heard that pigs ears are a no no too. i do give my pup a half a pigs ear from time to time but i make sure he eats it in front of me and let me tell you, Storm goes bonkers for them

[georgie]

I never give rawhide. Besides what was already written, if your dog is a big time chewer, like mine, they can bite off a big piece & it can lodge in their throat & they can choke.

When we had Molly ate the emergency vet 2 years ago, there was a young couple with a lab there & he was having his stitches out. He had to have emergency surgery to remove a piece of rawhide that was lodged in his throat. It could not be removed with a scope & the surgeon had to make an incision & remove it. The couple said if they had not lived so close to the vet, their dog would have died. The vet was talking & said it does happen more then people think, once the rawhide softens, it can come off in a pretty big chunk. He also did not like Greenies. I guess when you see the bad incidents with them....you would not recommend them.

[canUdigIt]

Hmmm...I have always given my dogs rawhides, maybe 2-3 per week, several dogs, and never a problem. Now, I wouldn't give it and leave the house, but never have I had a choker or an obstruction.

Keep in mind, labs are big chewers. They can eat just about anything and anything can cause an obstruction, from rocks to socks.

[TimC.]

There is only one type of rawhide that I give Oona and if I couldn't give her this kind she wouldn't get it. It's in the shape of a long braid, the only place I've found it is at Pet Supply Plus. Each end has an inch strip at each end and I take off one of those ends. Because of the shape of the braid Oona can't get a large piece of it off at anytime. When she chews it down to about an inch or it breaks up and the pieces separate I throw it away.
Olie

[Dani]

I don't feed rawhide for the blockage reason...but more importantly because Rider's stomach can't handle them...he over indulges and it gives him terrible diarreha. So...no rawhides here.