Dogs love to chew on things; it’s programmed into their DNA. This can sometimes be frustrating to their owners; however, given the proper outlet chewing can promote good dental health while keeping your pet entertained and mentally stimulated. As your dog chews the treat rubs off additional plaque build up which can decrease bacteria in the mouth that can lead to infection. Chewing also gives your dog something to do. In the wild dogs chew on the flesh and bones of their prey making meal time quite the event. When in the home a chew toy provides an adequate substitute and will keep your dog from using the legs of your couch as toys. While there are many chew toys for dogs on the market, rawhide chews continue to be among the most popular.
Rawhide is the inner hide of any cleft-hoofed bovine livestock and is typically made from the skin of cows raised for human food consumption. The cow’s skin is separated and the hard outer hide is made into leather shoes, garments or upholstery. The inner layer is then processed and made into a variety of shapes for dog toys and chews. As the rawhide is stretched and dried the collagen fibers within the skin harden thus resulting in a tougher chew. As your dog begins to chew on the treat the saliva moistens the fibers and the chew becomes more pliable.
When giving your dog rawhide there are several things to consider about the rawhide itself. Look for rawhide made in America. Rawhide made in other countries often contains more preservatives due to lack of refrigerated transport methods. Rawhides made in America are also made from the same cows used for human food consumption so they were raised with strict Food and Drug Administration requirements in place. You should also avoid smoked or basted rawhide as the barbequed appearance is partly created through food coloring or dye. While your dog will love the chew, your carpets or upholstery will take on the dye as your dog’s saliva moistens the chew.
The next thing to consider is the caloric content of the chew. Make sure to account for the calories your dog consumes through treats and chews. If you administer the treats frequently make sure to slightly reduce the quantity of food given for the day or week. Rawhides are typically 80-85% protein, 10-12% fiber and moisture and 1-2% fat. While one or two hours of chewing per day is sufficient the size of the toy and veracity of your dogs chewing may result in very different caloric intake. Check the packaging to estimate how many calories are in each chew and adjust accordingly. If your dog does not finish a rawhide chew within one week it is best to toss the remaining toy. Dirt and bacteria can accumulate on a chew over time and it is better to be safe than sorry.
Rawhide chews come in a variety of shapes and sizes including straight cylinders, knotted ends, traditional bone shapes, wrapped layers and twisted or braided sticks. When selecting a chew consider the size and chewing strength of your dog. Large dos should not be given small rawhide chews, especially those with a knotted end. Large dogs can chew those ends off easily and sometimes swallow them resulting in a choking hazard for your dog. You might want to consider wrapped or compressed rawhide for powerful chewers as these treats tend to last longer. Smaller dogs enjoy the smaller knotted varieties because it gives them something to hold onto.
Regardless of the type of rawhide you chose there are some things that you should do to ensure your dog’s safety. Take your dog to the Veterinarian to make sure your dog does not have any gastrointestinal problems that might be aggravated by rawhide chews. Next, always supervise your dog when he is chewing his rawhide. When pieces or splinters break off simply remove the choking hazard and discard it. If your dog seems to have an adverse reaction, limit his rawhide consumption or use as an occasional treat. Some dogs have a sensitive stomach and might enjoy a different chew variety. Whether you give rawhides or substitutes, always make sure that your dog has an acceptable and entertaining chewing alternative to your furniture, shoes and remote controls!
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