Rawhide treats for dogs seem to be EVERYWHERE! We are encouraged to give rawhide treats to our dogs and most dogs love them. It does offer them something to chew on besides your shoes or carpet... however, what most people don't know is that rawhide treats are VERY dangerous to your dog! All dogs want to chew. Even adult dogs. They enjoy it. I used to think rawhide was a great solution, but now, I am not so sure! I did some research and talked with my vet, and I found out some scary stuff about rawhide dog treats, and other dog chews. Below are some of the things I learned from other websites and my vet, as well as my dog trainer.

Salmonella bacteria is often present especially if the rawhide comes from outside the US. Another problem is arsenic used as a preservative. Yes, arsenic! Other dangerous additives can include antibiotics, (which can kill good bacteria in your dogs intestines) lead, and insecticides. Some countries like Thailand even include pieces of dog and cat skin in these rawhide treats. Health problems from rawhide chews can included sore throat, acute pancreatitis, choking, and intestinal blockage.

You know your dog. You know if something is wrong. If you notice any of these signs, watch him/her closely. If the symptoms persist, perhaps you should take your dog to the vet. Symptoms possibly include the following:

* Vomiting (self explanatory)
* Not eating (again, self explanatory)
* Painful abdomen, hunched appearance
* You know how you walk when your gastrointestinal tract isn't quite right, a dog will also walk slowly and hunch it's back a little.
* Fever or below-normal body temperature
* Diarrhea - Dogs get diarrhea for many reasons. Usually it's because they ate something they shouldn't have. Sometimes it could be due to the change in dog food. It's good to introduce a new brand of dog food slowly.
* Depression-you know your dog.
* Dehydration (diagnosed by sunken eyes, dry mouth and the skin "tents" when pinched)

What You Can Do With Rawhide Treats

If you must give your dog rawhide, offer it in limited quantity, under supervision, and throw away small chewed-down pieces. Always watch your dog carefully for any adverse reactions. We just don't use rawhide at all anymore. I would rather give my dog something I know she can eat safely than have to watch her like a hawk every time she wants to chew on something. Make sure you do offer something for him/her to chew on. As I said before, dogs enjoy chewing. As I have researched, I have found that if you really want to give your dog rawhide, use only products made in the U.S.A. Meaty bones, and marrow bones are a great option to rawhide.

More Tips

We all love to indulge our 4-legged friends but our foods don't always agree with them. Here are some things you might want to steer clear of:

1) Chocolate
2) Rich, fatty foods
3) Dairy products
4) Rawhides, cow hooves, & pigs' ears
5) Onions
6) Alcoholic beverages
7) Over-eating in general

Of course, talk to your vet. Ask what he/she recommends. Every dog is different and may require different vitamins and foods.