4 Reasons Why Rawhide is Bad for Dogs

If rawhide is bad for dogs, why is it one of the most popular dog chews?

All dogs, especially puppies love to chew. And chewing serves as both, a source of entertainment and a way for them to explore and learn. But that doesn’t mean we let our dogs have rawhide and its risks for pets as chews.

You might ask, why is rawhide bad for dogs?

Well, contrary to its name, nothing about raw hide is ‘raw’. It's heavily processed. In fact, it's not at all part of a dog's species-appropriate diet, and chewing on it can unknowingly put your beloved pet in danger.

Why is it so?

It’s because the raw hide for dogs comes from the inner layer of cow or horse hides. During manufacturing, the hides are cleaned, cut or ground, and then pressed into different shapes and sizes.

This dog chew sounds pretty harmless, right? Not really.

What are the dangers of rawhide for dogs?

Here are four reasons why raw hide is considered bad for dogs and potentially dangerous. Further, we will also see a few healthy alternatives to rawhide for dogs.

1. Choking and blockages

Dogs can and will chew off and swallow large pieces of rawhide that can get stuck in their oesophagus, stomach, and intestines. Rawhide is indigestible and can swell up to four times its original size as it passes through the digestive system. Blockages can form that may require surgery or in the worst case, may lead to death.

2. Contamination and chemicals

Even premium raw hides for dogs can contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals, dyes, and preservatives used in the manufacturing process.

As a common practice, Arsenic, ethoxyquin, formaldehyde, sodium sulfide liming, hydrogen peroxide, and other chemicals such as BHA and BHT are used as chemical preservatives to increase the shelf life of these dog chews. Other potentially harmful contaminants include antibiotics, lead, and insecticides.

3. Digestive Problems

Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to rawhide or other substances used to make these dog chews, which can cause problems like diarrhoea.

4. Labelling

Talking about the nutritional facts of rawhide for dogs, it's not considered a food item and is therefore not covered by any labelling, processing, or content laws.

How is rawhide made?

World-renowned pet influencer and author, Rodney Habib describes the manufacturing process of raw hide for dogs in an informative and easy-to-understand way.

Video: Rodney Habib, Planet Paws.

After watching this video, you now know how raw hides are bad for dogs. And probably, you would now think twice before you purchase any rawhide for your dogs. And if you have any already purchased, do your dog a favour and throw it in the bin!

Healthier alternatives to rawhide for dogs

At Furchild, our team offers an extensive range of natural and healthier choices, comprising healthy dog chews, raw bones, and freeze-dried treats, suitable for all breeds and sizes of dogs.

Himalayan Chews for dogs

Our Himalayan Dog Chews from Nepal are completely digestible, 100% natural cheese chews that your dog will enjoy gnawing. They are made from 4 simple ingredients: yak milk, cow milk, Himalayan salt, and lime juice, and are a great healthy raw hide alternative. They neither contain preservatives nor chemicals. These chews come in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

Raw bones for dogs

Furchild has a premium selection of frozen raw bones from poultry necks (Chicken Necks, Duck Necks, and Turkey Necks) to recreational bones (Lamb Femur and Beef Marrow Bones).

We only use free-range, non-medicated, hormone-free and steroid-free sourcing for our products. Raw bones help clean teeth, aid in digestion and naturally empty the anal sacs. Most importantly, they are part of your dog’s species-appropriate diet.

Other options for healthy dog chews include raw carrots, beef tails, tendons, and various air-dried meats. However, finding high-quality ethical suppliers of dog treats who implement stringent food safety practices can be difficult in the UAE.

Safety first

Whatever options of raw hide alternatives you come across, it’s important to do some research by reading and understanding the labels and asking the food manufacturer when in doubt.

Now that you know the untold processing of raw hide for dogs, share it with other pet parents and help them safeguard their dogs. And next time you see your friend’s or neighbour’s family dog with a rawhide, suggest our healthier raw hide alternatives and feel free to share this article.

The UAE has a large pet community and together we can help educate and inform one another about making healthier and wiser decisions in the interests of our furchildren's health!