Opinions on Rawhides

[Eyerman]

I read a few posts that mentioned "Rawhides are no good for dogs" I am curious to why? Does it really hurt to give your dog a rawhide occasionally?

[Trinitii]

It's really up to you. Most people are against them. I have heard that they can swell and cause problems. I have never had a problem or known anyone with any problems from them. My vet also has not seen any problems with them so I do give them to Athena once in a while. I think just make sure you are supervising during the chew time :) Any more there is always something dangerous about everything.

Good luck in your choice.

Trinitii

[Sheenagirl]

Rawhides - No way for Sheena. I used to give them to her when she was under 2 and going through the terrible chewing stage. She could chew a large rawhide up in less than 20 mins. Then she would vomit up big chunks of the rawhide. She got an obstruction from chewing the strings from a rope toy for which she had to spend time at the Vet's - going though all those xrays, etc. Luckily the obstruction passed without surgery. Anyway, I'm not chancing that again.

[Roscoe's dad]

Guido has had the same experience with rawhides as Sheena. I try not to let her have any.

[whitney greenway]

Yep, had problems with other dogs of mine...similar situation.

No surgery, but plenty of intestinal problems.

No rawhides here.

[lblax]

never had a problem or personally know anyone that has had a problem asked my vet who just retired and he never had a case of swelling or blockage if they vomit probably poor quality beef or their system cant take the beef

[Rott'n'lab Mom]

Bella seems to digest rawhide fine, it's her behavior that's odd. When we give it to her, she'll carry it in her mouth and walk in circles. She'll then go to the back door and whine. That's odd for her since she rarely ever whines and she usually stands quietly and patiently waiting for us to let her out back.

Once we let her outside, she takes the rawhide and buries it. Then she calms down and acts like nothing happened. A few hours later she'll ask to be let out and she'll dig it up and bring it back into the house (we wash it off at that point) and she'll settle down for some serious chewing.

I haven't figured out why she buries it. I've wondered if she's trying to soften it up first.

[Judy Chrusch]

Definately not a good idea and why take a chance. Rottweilers are avid chewers and some chew harder then others but they do indeed swell in their stomachs and even if there were no known cases I wouldn't take the chance. Almost all my rottweiler books talk against them as well. A better choice over rawhide is a real bone, a raw marrow bone, better known as a soup bone or a nylabone and with some dogs they're not good either. You have to know what kind of chewer you have and judge accordingly but still no rawhide in this house, too many close calls with previous dogs that weren't rotties. Put one in water and watch it swell, that's what it will do in your dogs gut .

Judy

[rottix2]

I absolutely do not give them to my dogs. When I first tried them with these two, my big guy just ripped hunks off and swallowed. I was lucky that I was able to get the piece out of his throat when it got stuck. I only gave them as treats once - that was enough - I learn quickly.

[rompinrottie]

my children seem to get sick also after they eat the rawhide chews about a hour later they throw it up, yuk..



rompinrottie

and the girls

tessa rottie
brittany rottie
jewel rottie
flower bassett/beagle

[Teena]

Not taking any chances, no rawhides here.

[AngelBunny]

Eyerman:

I've had Rotties for a long time. I gave my first Rotties rawhide (& pig's ears & hooves) from time to time as treats--until I read that if these products are imported and not 100% made in the US, they can be treated with chemicals. These chemicals don't have to be noted on the labels. After learning this, there's no way I'd give my dogs something as a treat that might be treated with chemicals.

Now, my dogs get frozen raw beef marrow bones; Kongs stuffed w/ kibble, PB, cheese, or cream cheese; fruits; veggies; and the occasional dog biscuit.

They also have lots of toys--including stuffed toys I buy from the Salvation Army (I cut out button eyes & the like) & empty gallon milk containers.

[Debbie]

I had experiences where she tried to swallow the last piece which was still partially hard. This caused a gagging, coughing combo until she was able to get it the rest of the way back out. After that, I decided it would be a much better idea to try a Galileo bone which all three dogs love. No more worry for me and they still get something they like. Plus they last for several months and are therefore alot cheaper in the long run. Don't pay $18-$20 at the pet store - get 'em for half that price through a pet catalog like Upco.

[poohbearsmom]

Many years ago, a dear friend of our family lost her dobe/rottie mix on the operating table because of rawhide. Her intestines were indeed blocked up with the stuff, and it was a very quick and painful demise for the poor girl...

I prefer to go to the supermarket and buy the beef marrow bones, and let my dogs go to town on those.

I just won't risk letting the same thing happen to my dogs, as happened to my friend's dog.

People give our dogs rawhide presents at Christmas time, we thank them, then we throw them away.

My 2 cents.

Elisabeth

[Judy Chrusch]

I already gave advice on the rawhides but I was wondering if anyone else gives their dog the Galileo, Debbie mentioned that she did and I just bought one for Czar but didn't realize that little particles came off so easily. Is mine defective or is that the way they are? I have real small pieces everywhere.I thought that particular bone was suppose to be so hard, it seems softer then the nylabone. Any feed back would be appreciated. Right now Czar can't have a marrow bone so we're looking for alternative chew things that are safe. If I should start another thread on this please let me know, I don't want to interfere on this one:o.

Judy