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DON’T give your pets a stocking filled with cute, rawhide, colorful bones… unless you want to end up at the emergency vet.
Yes, these treats are pretty and colorful and the stockings appeal to us because they are easy to grab and convenient.But… according to recent news, most of these rawhide products come from China and China does not have the same safety standards that the United States does. The hides are made from cattle or horse hides and the hides have been soaked in a toxic sodium sulfide to get rid of the hair and fat on them. In order to get rid of the smell and to make the hides look white, they are also soaked in hydrogen peroxide, which can cause intestinal damage.
Even though these bones look festive and pretty, they are toxic to your dog. They have been known to have traces of arsenic, mercury, chromium and formaldehyde in them. DO NOT give them to your dog!!
According to veterinarians, these bones can cause an intestinal blockage and are a chocking hazard. The chews are very slippery when wet and are almost impossible to grab ahold of when a dog is chocking.
https://www.facebook.com/SitHappensMT/posts/1339528146186582
What is Rawhide… really??
Google defines rawhide as stiff, untanned leather.
Dog rawhide is actually animal hide or skin, most often from cattle, that is put through a process to make it everlasting. Most pet owners think that rawhide is a by-product from cattle, but this is most often untrue. Rawhide actually comes from the leather industry.
How are Rawhide bones made?
The hides from animals, mostly cattle, are treated in a chemical bath to preserve it so it doesn’t rot before it gets to the tannery. At the tannery, the hide is again treated with a chemical bath to get rid of the hair and fat that is attached to it. Then, the hide has to be be split into layers, and, you guessed it- more chemicals for this process. WOW!! The top part of the hide is used for leather products, but the inner part is used for dog products.
After the different parts of the hide has been separated, the hide gets bleached in order to make it look good so consumers will buy it. This process is done with bleach and hydrogen peroxide. After the bleaching process, the hide goes through a process of tinting, painting and dying so the bones smell and taste pleasing to your dog. According to recent research on these bones, the dyes and smells that the manufacturer puts on the rawhide bones are artificial.
Toxic chemicals that have been found in Rawhide Bones:
Formaldehyde
Lead
Mercury
Arsenic
Chromium Salts
What makes Rawhide Bones so bad for dogs?
Well, besides the chemicals that are used on them (which we’ve already talked about), another major concern is the potential for blockage in your dog’s throat, his esophagus, stomach or intestines. As your dog chews on these bones, they eventually soften and break off and your dog will eat it, not knowing any better. According to veterinarians, rawhide was not intended to be eaten and once eaten, it does not break down easily or at all. Emergency surgery may be necessary if a piece gets stuck and it can result in death if the blockage is not cleared.
Contamination Risk
With Rawhide bones, there is also a contamination risk, like Salmonella or E. Coli present. The toxic chemicals used to process the rawhide causes this risk to your dog and also to you. The pet industry does not regulate their treats like they do their pet food. It has been recommended that pet owners wash their hands after handling rawhide bones and they should keep the bones away from children.
There have been a number of Rawhide Recalls in recent years. One recall came from the United Pet Group, who issued a recall on their products after finding out that their processing plants in Mexico, Columbia, and Brazil were using a quaternary ammonium compound mixture for processing their rawhide bones. The mixture is not an approved method in the United States and can be harmful to dogs.
Here are some signs of blockage if your dog does eat Rawhide bones:
*Gagging
*Choking
*Repeated Swallowing
*Lack of energy
*Diarrhea (with or without blood)
*Vomiting
*Refusal to eat
*Weight Loss
*Symptoms of pain
If your dog has these symptoms, please see a vet to see if there could be a blockage.
But… my dog needs to chew!! What do I give him?
Dogs do love to chew and they need to chew. There are many benefits to your dog chewing. The benefits to chewing are:
*Natural stimualtion
*Relieves anxiety
*Chewing helps promote clean, healthy teeth
*Keeps a dogs jaw strong
*Helps occupy your dog when he’s bored
Instead of giving your dog rawhide or raw bones, try giving him a dental chew. Check the ingredients and choose one that is all natural and does not contain soy, corn, gluten or animal by-products. The dental bones are a safer, healthier choice for your dog. The dental bone will help with tartar and plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth.
https://simplewag.com/rawhide-for-dogs/
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
