Beef Hide for Dogs: Understanding the Benefits and Risks

What! My dog loves them!!

Yes, but a lot of my friends who work in rescue or own pets have at least one scary story about these cute chewers. Truly, the ease of use and sometimes fun chewing that come from them are far outweighed by the danger they pose to the average dog.

There are many pros for using these rawhide chewers and there are many cons. You should know of both before you allow your dogs get their mouths on them.

First lets look at what Rawhide Chewers are:

Rawhide and Beef-hide in my opinion should not be considered neither a ” food”. or a “safe” chew toy, and it’s clear that they can be eaten, and most of the time are.

It’s true that “Rawhide treats” are made from the inside of animal hides. The skin of an animal has two layers: the inner and the outer. There is a lot of questionable processing that goes into make them in to dog chewers. I also learned that “animal skin” doesn’t have to be from cows when I was researching this subject. It can come from a lot of different animals. For instance South American, Thailand, China, Korea might be from Water buffalo skin.

I also also discovered these two terms… “Rawhide” and “Beef-Hide”. Yes, there is a difference in their meaning.

²Rawhide is the inner layer of the hide of any cleft-hoofed bovine livestock. “

²Beef-Hide” is premium rawhide made from cows raised for consumption. American Beef-Hide is derived from corn-fed cows within U. S. borders.

Several years ago I quit taking for granted that everything sold to “CONSUMERS” was safe, healthy, or what the purchaser knew what they were buying. You must get into the habit of looking for the Country of Origin, This is required packaging information. Look closely for indications of imitations of U.S. Beef-hide such as “Made from U.S. Beef-hide in China or Mexico” or “Product of S America.” This is a further indication that even the importers recognize the value of U.S. Beef-hide. I had never thought about the fact that there are difference in qualities of “rawhide”, or that the quality of rawhide is often related to its country of origin: American Beef-hide: Corn-fed beef raised in the U.S. supply a thick, palatable and high quality chew. American beef-hide is considered “The Source” of choice for premium chews Oriental Water-Buffalo: Raised to work in the fields of countries like China, Korea and Thailand, they are a common source of imported rawhide.

“If rawhide manufacturers were held to the same standards as drug makers, they’d be forced to add an equally long list of warnings to their labels: May cause stomach torsion, choking, vomiting, diarrhea, salmonella poisoning and exposure to various chemical residues.http://thebark.com”

Most people are surprised to learn that rawhide is a by-product of the leather industry -not the beef industry. These processors are “Tanneries”, and users of enormous amounts of water which along with all of our environmental laws, the smell and unpleasantness of the processes in general mean in the USA there is reported to be under 300 companies. In Mexico there may be 3,000 because of cheaper water and fewer laws. This is an explanation why so many USA unprossed beefhides are exported to china, Mexico and other places, for processing. Which to me becomes problematic because of the Processing methods that would not be allowed in the USA. And which also makes it possible for some deceptive terms on labels to be used… “Sourced in USA” would not be the whole story if “Processed in a different country..

Take a look at this: Once the USA Beefhides leave American hands, you know that skins from remote areas often have to be transported to processing plants using preservatives because they don’t have modern roads or refrigeration trucks. Besides the cost, why should the companies improve these things if it means losing money? At the same time, in the US, fresh beefhides are kept cold during shipping to avoid breaking down, going bad, fouling, and the need for chemical additives. Something to think about.

The good side Advantages for Rawhide

You may have heard that giving your dog rawhide can help his teeth and please his need to chew. Which type you choose depends on whether your dog is a small, gentle chewer, a medium-sized, enthusiastic chewer, or a large, rough chewer.

How about this one. The bones can improve the dental health of the dog, as the bones have a rough texture and this will remove the plaque deposits from the pet’s teeth, hindering the formation of tartar or calculus.

What about this one? Dogs often chew on rawhide bones to pass the time and keep him from getting bored. Bored dogs may develop behavioral problems and start chewing on rugs and furniture.

This one is also convincing. All dogs need to chew. It’s a natural instinct. Some even spend hours chewing every day. Chewing can provide your dog stimulation and help relieve anxiety. Rawhide bones and other treats can be a great replacement for your leather shoes and the table legs, especially if you have a puppy.

Some sites and businesses warn that “while chews made from rawhide, bone, or other animal parts can be eaten and are therefore considered “food” under FDA law, manufacturers “may not have to follow the AAFCO pet food regulations” if the label doesn’t say anything about nutritional value (like “high protein”) ”.

Most companies that offer Rawhide, indicate that it is a favorite of most dogs, and can be used to provide mental entertainment. HOWEVER, care should be taken to supervise the dog when chewing on rawhide, and only a certain kind of rawhide should be offered. If you offer the wrong kind of rawhide, it presents a very significant danger to your dog.

That made me wonder more: What are the different kinds of rawhide? How do you know which one is best for your dog? I had no idea there were so many differences; I had never thought about it.

It turns out there are not only different varieties of rawhide dog chews available, But depending on the dog or the type of chewer, what kind would be the type that is considered more appropriate for your dog. But be aware there are many kinds that are and they are NOT equal in terms of safety, quality, and price!

While I did know that rawhide came in different forms like; rolled, compressed, granulated or cut. I also knew that there were different types of texture, look, and hardness, and that they come in a range of sizes. Some are flavored, colored or bleached. What I didn’t know is that the type you should get depends on whether your dog is a small, gentle chewer, a medium-sized, enthusiastic chewer, or a large, rough chewer.

One of the other things I wanted to know is is rawhide digestable?

This is what one site said: “There are many things that can affect how quickly rawhide is broken down.” How easy it is to digest depends on things like the animal the hide comes from, how thick it is, how the rawhide chew is made, and any chemicals that are added to the rawhide while it is being made. SOURCE: rawhidefordogs. org/are-rawhide-bones-digestible”.

So here is what I think about this.

First, I would very seldom if ever let a dog chew on rawhide. If for some reason I did, it would only be from beefhide raised in the USA. These are some USA Manufacturers brands that I didn’t look into further, but here they are if someone wants to:

Do not leave your dog unattended with rawhide products, no matter what the type.

One of the main reasons I don’t think rawhide is good for any dog is because dog owners keep telling me stories about how it changed their lives. Because of my own “close call,” I think that the “joy” they might bring is not equal to the “horror” that many pet owners have gone through.

These are just a few of the things I’ve been sent or read on many of our dog lover sites.

The most dangerous thing about rawhide dog chews is when Fido is given one that he can rip off big pieces (or even small pieces if he’s a small breed puppy). If Fido swallows these pieces theyll be softened by his stomach enzymes and expand. While that’s going on, one or more pieces could get stuck in his digestive system and cause a blockage that needs surgery to fix.

It’s important to give your dog the right kind of rawhide chew for the way he likes to chew so that he stays safe.

“These rawhide treats may also create some problems in dogs including allergies or intestinal blockage. ” Jackie T states “Another problem with.

“My moms friends dog just died from stomach torsion. RAWHIDE IS NOT MEANT TO BE SWALLOWED-IT IS NOT DIGESTIBLE!! If you read the directions(if any) these chews are meant to be chewed until they are soft, then removed to harden again, NOT to be swallowed. They are the worst things ever developed for dog chews!!”And this problem is not just a Boston problem, neither is age or size of the dog is not to. “My female basset hound just survived removal of part of her intestine and the surgical opening of the stomach. Yes, it was caused by a rawhide that did not digest. She was inches away from peritonitis. No symptoms were apparent until she was in agony and severely infected. The diagnostic tests, surgery and recovery was $5,000.00. I have given my dogs U.S. rawhide for years, with no problems. Never again.” My beloved Westie just passed away in the night, in a crate, at the vets, post surgery to remove the end of a rawhide that had lodged and expanded in his stomach. The rawhide came out – it has expanded to over 75% of his stomach. He didnt survive the night. It has broken my heart.” “In some cases, the rawhide bones may be difficult to digest, especially if the dog has a diet that is poor in fibers. The rawhide bone residues may stay in the stomach and may even cause an intestinal obstruction. This condition may lead to surgery, if the condition is severe.” “Some dogs may be allergic to rawhide bones and these may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Often, it is difficult to identify the rawhide bones as being the allergens, especially if the dog eats these on a regular basis.” “Rawhide chews may also contain bacteria, as they are made of cattle skin. Consequently, the contamination with salmonella or other bacteria is possible through the ingestion of rawhide bones and the dog may develop severe infections. However, the dog’s stomach produces a lot of acids that may kill the bacteria. “

“Just yesterday, we had to put our puppy down due to severe blockage from a rawhide. It was given to her for Christmas. Little did we know it would lead to her death. We had her in emergency overnight to try and get her to stabilize enough for surgery. “.

1.http://www.petfactory.com

³- See more at: http://www.fidosavvy.com/rawhide-dog-chews.html#sthash.aOjDxQ6c.dpuf

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• What’s the big deal about Rawhide or Beef-hide? My dog loves both.

Rawhide or Beef-hide: What is the big deal? My dog loves them.

I have to tell you we stopped recommending their use several years ago.

What is the big deal?

I was happy to use them until I almost died or had a close call with the vet surgeon. I was able to remove a slimy glumb from the throat of a dog where it was stuck. The dog was unable to either sowllow it or spit it out. After that, I discovered that all was not as I had thought. I started asking our veterinarians. When I’ve asked them over the last few years, almost all of them have told me “never give rawhide.”

Why Rawhide Chews are DANGEROUS for your DOG?

FAQ

Can dogs have beef hide?

Is beefhide safer than rawhide?

What kind of hide is bad for dogs?

How long does it take a dog to digest beef hide?

Is beef hide good for dogs?

The Pros & Cons You Need to Know! Choosing the best treats for your dog can be a tricky decision. Beefhide is okay for dogs. It has benefits and disadvantages. Whether beef hide is good for dogs depends on your dog. Beef hide can help satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew, which can be beneficial for their mental and emotional well-being.

What meat should I never feed my dog if they have dementia?

A dog can be fed with any kind of fresh meat like chicken, pork, beef, fish or turkey. It is not advisable to feed processed meat to dogs because there are scientific studies that claim that these processed meat can increase the risk of developing dementia.

Is Beefhide good for dogs?

However, it’s important to note that beefhide is a rawhide product, and has all the same pros and cons as any other rawhide treat for dogs. In that sense then, when we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of rawhide products, we’re also covering the advantages and disadvantages of beefhide products.

Why do dogs eat Beefhide?

Chewing on beefhide helps dogs release pent-up energy while naturally scraping off tartar deposits from their teeth surfaces. The gnawing action generated by the hide stimulates blood flow in the gums, which further helps fight off bacteria growth and collective tooth decay.