Rawhide is one of those products that dog owners have very strong opinions on, and with good reason. But it is still widely sold and given to dogs by millions of dog owners globally. So how bad can it be? If it is as dangerous as people say it is then why isn't it banned?
I was recently made aware that there are two types of rawhide, one totally indigestible and bad, and one that’s good(ish). I’ve had a look at both types, and how they are produced, so that you can make your own mind up about it.
The bad rawhide
This is the white (and often brightly dyed) shaped product that can be found in pet shops, supermarkets and home stores. It can come as a twist, braid, hand tied knots or bones.
Rawhide is just that: the inner soft hide or skin of an animal. It is most commonly made from cows but, technically, can be made from any livestock.
Yes, this means exactly what it sounds like. Depending on where it’s manufactured, the ingredients could include hide from cow, pig, sheep, horse or even water buffalo. The animal itself may not be cause for concern, but how, where and in what conditions the animal was raised can affect the overall quality (thinner and drier) and safety of the product.
How Is It Made?
Rawhide dog chews are dried hypodermic interstitial tissue from cattle raised for meat production. This tissue is tough yet flexible, due to the collagen fibres within it. Rawhide chews are made from the leather industry’s leftovers. Most hides are taken directly from the kill floors at slaughterhouses and placed into high-salt brines, which helps slow their decay.
Rawhide often begins its journey with a chemical bath to help “preserve” the product during transport. During processing, it is soaked in a degreasing solution to remove the hair and fat. Then it can be “cleaned” with water or bleach and/or hydrogen peroxide. In some countries arsenic, or even formaldehyde, is used in this process. Finally, it is either left natural or smoke and other artificial flavours are added to entice your dog to chew for hours.
Rawhide products made in the US go through fewer processing steps, as they are generally refrigerated, removing the need for any artificial preservatives during transportation.
Rawhide bones and chews are rolled in to a shape from one single layer of rawhide. These single-layer pieces of rawhide can be chewed into small chunks rather quickly, and it's these chunks that are not easily digested by dogs. When a dog swallows a piece of rawhide, it expands inside the dog’s body and can become blocked in the dogs throat, stomach, or intestines.
So why do people still buy them?
Despite the negatives, it is easy to see why Rawhide satisfy the urge to chew. It starts dry and then the dog’s chewing action combined with its saliva slowly softens the treat. Over time, they should be able to tear off small pieces that can easily pass through their digestive tracts.
Some dogs will try to consume their treat in record time, regardless of whether it is rawhide or not. If your dog chews their treat too quickly, they can easily choke on a piece that is too large. Even if they can swallow such a large chunk whole, this does not mean that it can pass through their system without doing damage.
There have been many horror stories about dogs choking on rawhide, and a quick google search will back this up. I won't post these images or stories here as they can be quite upsetting.
However, it has been said, that if your dog is smaller and a light/slow chewer then rawhide should be OK for them to eat as they won't pull off big chunks and swallow them, but that is a risk I'll let you assess by yourselves!
The good (well, better) rawhide
The good (better) type of Rawhide is called 'Pressed rawhide'. It is different to the traditional rawhide because of the process that’s used to make it.
Pressed rawhide bones are made from several very tight layers or tiny pieces of compressed cowhide mashed together to form a shape. In this format the hide does not expand when wet — so they’re easy to digest. In fact, this rawhide actually crumbles when the dog chews it so it doesn't become a big, dangerously gluey chunk.
So what makes them better than the bad stuff?
For one, they claim to be 100% digestible. When chewed the pressed rawhide bones get “gummy” — but not sticky — instead of breaking off or splintering. They dry-up again quickly as well. Pressed rawhide bones will massage your dog’s gums and help help to remove tartar as they’re chewing on it — especially those far back teeth that are hard to reach when brushing!
Rawhide alternatives
Looking online at Pets at Home (UK), they have a section for rawhide alternative products:
These include:
Smartbones, who's claim is "SmartBones Chews are a healthy alternative to rawhide that is gentle on gums. Their inner layer is made of delicious chicken breast. This layer is combined with an outer layer made of tasty vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots for an irresistible taste dogs love"
MeatyWay Hide Free, which are made of "Chicken, Corn Starch, Rice Starch"
Whimzees - rice bones or potato starch chews
Have you tried pressed rawhide? Or do you steer clear of anything labelled as rawhide? Do
you secretly (or publicly) give your dog rawhide?
Let me know in the comments!