No, most veterinarians do not recommend traditional rawhide due to significant risks like choking, dangerous digestive blockages, tooth fractures, and potential contamination from processing chemicals, with many suggesting safer, digestible alternatives like collagen chews, bully sticks, or natural dental chews. While chewing is good for dogs, rawhide's byproduct nature makes it hard to digest and prone to breaking into large, problematic chunks, posing serious health hazards.
Most vets and the Humane Society recommend against giving dogs rawhide, even though they do contain some protein, and I guess they're fun to gnaw on. Some well-known pet stores, like Petco, have even stopped selling rawhide for this reason. There are safer and more nutritious options.
The toxic chemicals often found in rawhide include: arsenic, mercury, lead, chromium, and formaldehyde. Salmonella and ecoli present some risk to dogs, but they're actually a greater risk to the humans who handle them, and that risk exists whether the chews are new and still hardened, or gooey from being chewed.
The healthiest dog chews are often natural, single-ingredient options like bully sticks, collagen chews, trachea chews, kangaroo wings, or dried fish, offering protein and dental benefits, while dental chews (VOHC-approved) fight plaque; carrots, goat horns, or frozen Kongs are great alternatives, but always supervise chewing and avoid hard, cooked bones or antlers that can splinter.
Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are among the most popular rawhide alternatives on the market. Unlike rawhide, bully sticks are made from 100% beef muscle and are fully digestible, meaning you don't have to worry about the dangers of pieces getting stuck in your dog's digestive system.
No, rawhide does not dissolve in the dog's stomach. Instead, it can swell up, creating a risk of bowel blockage.
21 Vet-Recommended Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
Puppies under 6 months old: As puppies' mouths are not fully developed until approximately 6 months of age, it is not recommended that they are provided rawhide chews until at least 6 months of age, as they may be too hard for their developing jaws and teeth and could cause permanent damage.
"Research has show that chewing rawhide helps clean teeth and can reduce the development of dental disease, and rawhide treats are much less likely than bones or hooves to damage a dog's teeth. And chewing rawhide is fun for most dogs," cites an article in the San Francisco Chronicle written by Dr.
The most fatal risk of consuming rawhide is an intestinal blockage. When dogs don't adequately chew pieces they break off of the rawhide, it may become lodged in their digestive tract. Rawhide swells several times its size when wet, so it is possible that even smaller pieces can cause a blockage.
It depends on the size of your dog and the size of the rawhide. If you choose to give your dog rawhide, do so in moderation and under close supervision. It's best to limit rawhide consumption and explore safer, digestible alternatives.
Professional dog trainers typically use high-value, natural treats such as freeze-dried liver, cheese, and chicken to engage and reward dogs effectively.
The 90/10 rule for dogs means 90% of their daily calories should come from a complete, balanced dog food, while only 10% should come from treats, training rewards, and any extra human foods or toppers, preventing nutritional imbalances and obesity. This guideline ensures essential vitamins and minerals are met through their main diet, keeping treats as occasional indulgences rather than dietary staples.
Vet-Recommended Options for Aggressive Chewers
For these dogs, vet-recommended options often include: Rubber toys: Brands like Kong offer durable rubber toys that can be stuffed with treats, providing a long-lasting challenge without the risk of splintering.
Rawhide chews break apart more easily than the safer alternatives on the market, which can result in increased risk that a chunk of the rawhide chew can get stuck in a dog's digestive tract. If this happens, a dog can face serious health consequences and may require expensive and extensive surgery for recovery.
Swallowing a large piece of rawhide can cause a choking hazard or a obstructed gastro-intestional tract. Both of these problems can be very serious and may need veterinary care, even surgery.
Rawhide chews are popular for several reasons: Long Lasting: Great for keeping dogs entertained while you tackle daily chores. Odorless: No unpleasant smells wafting around the house. Affordable: Packs of 10 can cost less than £1, making them an economical choice.
The healthiest dog chews are often natural, single-ingredient options like bully sticks, collagen chews, trachea chews, kangaroo wings, or dried fish, offering protein and dental benefits, while dental chews (VOHC-approved) fight plaque; carrots, goat horns, or frozen Kongs are great alternatives, but always supervise chewing and avoid hard, cooked bones or antlers that can splinter.
Sourced from free-range, grass-fed Buffalo, they are a healthier and leaner alternative to Pork and Beef. They are also a great source of Omega-3. Not rawhide!
Our 100% USA-made USA Beef Lung Filets are the perfect training chew for light chewers and teething puppies of all sizes. Being grain-free, gluten-free, and rawhide-free, they are the ideal treat to promote your pup's dental hygiene while serving as a natural stress and anxiety-relieving activity.
Vets often advise caution with bully sticks due to risks like choking hazards, potential for digestive blockages, high calories/fat (risking obesity/pancreatitis), and potential bacterial contamination, especially from less regulated sources; however, many vets do recommend them in moderation with supervision, emphasizing size and quality.
Rubber Chew Toys
Rubber toys, like the classic Kong, are a great choice for dogs of all sizes. They're durable yet soft enough to avoid damaging teeth. Bonus: you can stuff them with treats or peanut butter to keep your dog entertained.
The short answer is NO! Antlers can break your dog's teeth or cause gastrointestinal blockages. The biggest risk to your dog from chewing on antlers is broken teeth.
Generally speaking, however, most rawhide bones for puppies are indigestible since they're made from hard and dried animal skins. This makes it hard for the poor pups' digestive enzymes to break down the material. This also makes rawhide bones not safe for puppies.
The 777 Puppy Rule (or Rule of 7s) is a guideline for puppy socialization, suggesting that by seven weeks old, a puppy should experience seven different Surfaces, seven different Sounds, seven different Objects, seven different People, seven different Locations, seven different Containers, and seven different Challenges, all in positive, short, and safe ways to build confidence and resilience. It helps prevent fear and reactivity by creating positive associations with novel experiences during the critical socialization window (around 4-16 weeks).