Pressed Rawhide

[HerculesMomma]

I thought pressed rawhide was safe vs. regular rawhide. I was telling the people at the pet food store that Hercules really liked the bully stick I bought him the other day and I felt so much better giving it to him since he doesn't choke on it like the pressed rawhide I'd given him in the past.

I eventually came to the point where I've stopped the rawhides altogether because of this. But the ladies at the store say the pressed rawhide is no different than the regular rawhide and it can still expand in their throat and stomach just the same as regular rawhide. Is this true?

Needless to say, I'm glad to have found the bully stick. Anyone have any online sites that sell these for a good price?

[Brooke&Ryan]

I would check on e-bay. I just did a search & came up with a ton. I get all my stuff on e-bay.


Brooke

[Patty1231]

I give my dogs the occasional pressed rawhide but mostly marrow bones now, once or twice a week. I'll have to check out the bully thingy!

[2rotties2luv]

My late rottie, Sierra, bit a chunk off of a high quality pressed rawhide chew when she was 2 yrs old. I was watching her and it didn't look as though it was a very large piece. However, it expanded and got as far as her small intestine, where it lodged and caused an obstruction. She came through emergency surgery OK, but I was $900 poorer. Needless to say, no dog of mine has had any rawhide since! The only kind of chewey toys they get are ones that can't be chewed apart, or ones that are digestible if chewed apart. Namely, stuffed kongs and raw marrow bones. Are the bully sticks digestible??

[HerculesMomma]

Thanks Brooke! I was debating whether ebay would be safe or not, but I suppose I don't see why not especially since customers give feedback. But it's reassuring to know that you get your stuff online there.

2rotties2luv, this was my fear too - and I thought I was safe with pressed rawhide. I had no idea! Mine kept choking on them before they were even down. The last time it happened I had enough - I didn't want to watch my dog choke to death in front of me.

These are 100% digestable (so the websites say). In the two he has eaten (lucky dog, his Mom buys the Mamoth sized ones coming in at 3 or 4 feet long) he has not choked at all. The best I can describe it's almost like a really tough piece of beef jerky (even though we know what it really is! ). Also, I find a that half of the mamoth size stick, so lets say 24 inches lasts about an hour to an hour and a half. Pretty good for Rottie I'd say - greenies last about 5 minutes in my house, so this has been a great chew alternative. Not to mention they are almost all protein and I'm sure they have fewere calories than the greenies too.

Here's some websites for a description of them (I would shop around for price though).
http://www.sitstay.com/store/edibles/chews1.shtml
http://www.dogtoys.com/7bullysticks.html
http://thepuppyshop.com/bullysticks.html
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/Produc...134019&Click=5

[lblax]

ive never had a dog or have personally known anyone who had a dog that has ever had any kind of problem with any kind of rawhide. and our vet one that has just retired and the other 21 years as a vet has never treated a dog for a rawhide related injury and they have the largest practice in our area.. not saying that it doesnt happen but its something that there is not any reason to fear.

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by lblax

ive never had a dog or have personally known anyone who had a dog that has ever had any kind of problem with any kind of rawhide. and our vet one that has just retired and the other 21 years as a vet has never treated a dog for a rawhide related injury and they have the largest practice in our area.. not saying that it doesnt happen but its something that there is not any reason to fear.

I second what you've said. My vet told me the same thing. I was NEVER going to give my dog rawhide and discussed it with my vet on a routine visit. He said it is fine to let them chew rawhide as long as you are there to throw away the soft, broken off, large pieces.

He also said to let them chew for a while, then when it gets soft, stick in the the fridge until it hardens again.

The key is to watch the dog when giving rawhide. And I am sure, if left alone, dogs can and will swallow large chunks that can end up leading to surgery and possibly even death.

[groupieindenial]

yeah, I take it away, or should I say distract him away from it and place it up high to chew on another day when it gets soft, so it can harden again. THey can't help but want to swallow it when it gets all soft and gummy.

My vet recommended no rawhides, no bones, period. I don't listen to her though. How can she say that when she turns around and tries to sell me her dental chews?

My dog needs to chew, and my furniture is not an option.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Well..I would beg to differ with those who think giving rawhides of any kind is without it's dangers. According to our vet who has been in practice almost 25 years...chunks can be swallowed and cause intestinal blockage...as stated earlier. He said he has performed many operations because of swallowed rawhide expanding. If it's a risk you want to take..well.....it's just too risky for this cowgirl. They are also laced with preservatives and chemicals in most cases.

[Judy Chrusch]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

Well..I would beg to differ with those who think giving rawhides of any kind is without it's dangers. According to our vet who has been in practice almost 25 years...chunks can be swallowed and cause intestinal blockage...as stated earlier. He said he has performed many operations because of swallowed rawhide expanding. If it's a risk you want to take..well.....it's just too risky for this cowgirl. They are also laced with preservatives and chemicals in most cases.

I agree 100%, while rawhide chews are fine for small dogs I would never give them to large breeds and all my vets do NOT recommend them for the large agressive chewers and they can indeed cause blockages and they swell 3 times there size when put in water so what do you think it does in the stomach or intestines if it gets that far . There have also been deaths related to rawhides do to a blockage. I for one am not comfortable with any type of rawhide and IMO they're junk.

Judy

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Judy Chrusch

There have also been deaths related to rawhides do to a blockage
Judy

wasnt there also a guy killed by a big flying chunk of blue frozen gunk a few years back..that fell from the sky.. that doesnt make you stay inside does it.. face it a chunk of rawhide a chunk of marrow bone a chunk of anything they dig up in the back yard can cause problems there are millions apon millions of dogs dining on marrow bones/rawhides/pigs ears ect. ect. ect. daily the risks are so small they are not even worth considering all it takes is common sense if your dog chews his items or breaks them off in small chunks great let them chew whatever if they break up big chunks and swallow dont let them chew on anything or only chew while supervised

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

According to our vet who has been in practice almost 25 years...chunks can be swallowed and cause intestinal blockage...as stated earlier. He said he has performed many operations because of swallowed rawhide expanding.

anything can happen it would be interesting to find out how many operations he has performed and compair that to how many dogs he has seen over 25 years and then do the math.. nothing goes without risk

[Denise L.]

I guess it all comes down to what you are comfortable with, no?

Personally, I stopped all rawhide even knowing the risk was small because it isn't something Cyrus "needs" and there are other things to give him that aren't as controversial.

If Cyrus adored rawhide beyond all else then he would have it - under supervision.

[brunie's mom]

I have been giving my dogs pressed rawhides for close to 30 years...and I have not had any problems. I do not give anything with the knots on the end..because I have seen dogs chew them off and try to swallow them whole.

I do supervise them, and when there is a soggy mass of hide pulled off..I just take it from them and thow in the garbage. Now..I have never had a real aggressive chewer in any of the dogs I've had.

As far as what vet's say etc. I work for many years as a Vet Health Tech and I do not remember any dogs having to have surgery because of rawhide. I do remember many dogs having to have surgery because of blockages due to socks, underwear, corn cobs, pantyhose, rubber balls, and eating remotes, etc.

I agree, with everything comes a risk and you must weigh the pro's and con's.

Gina

[Brooke&Ryan]

Julius also gets pressed rawhide on occasion & also rawhides as well. He only gets them when he's supervised though so that I make sure he's not going to town on them. They're a special treat & something that's given when we're watching. The rest of the time he dines on marrow bones & Nylabones.


Brooke