The truth about rawhides?

[EliNHunter]

Hi, all. Aside from the normal concerns with rawhides posing a swelling and choking hazard to our dogs (I know about that concern), does anyone have some "real" information on formaldahyde(sp) being used in the processing of them that pose a cancer threat? Supposedly it's only the ones manufactured in South America? Or is this Urban Legand? I always monitored the chewing of them with my dogs to make sure they weren't chewing them too aggressively... just a little at a time. But now that I've had two of my babies die of Lymphoma within a year of each other... I have to wonder about the cancer risk. Ever since Eli was diagnosed with Lymphoma and succombed to it, no more rawhides (but Hunter loves them, so). Just wondering...
Amy + Hunter

 

[Renee750il]

Looks like we need to do some research. Perhaps Mordy has already done some and can enlighten us somewhat.

 

[2pups622]

i never give my dogs them my vet said that when it get soft it sits in the teeth ands rots the teeth

 

[Love4Pits]

I don't give my dogs rawhides. I just don't like or trust them I don't know they just make me nervouse. Besides my dogs get fresh new bones with their dinner every night and have plenty of chews toys so I don't think their missing out on anything.

 

[EliNHunter]

Good point, Love4Pits. Better safe than sorry. What kind of bones do you give your dogs? I am always on the lookout for a fresh shank bone or a knuckle bone. I still would like to know about the cancer risk with rawhides to warn others...
Amy + Hunter

 

[Mordy]

it's an iffy subject. you can't really trust any rawhide unless you can get an analysis from the manufacturer, telling you what is or isn't in it. some internet sites recommend that you should only buy rawhide made in the US, but not even that is all the same quality, since they can process imported hides as well.

it's much safer to stick with items where you know for sure what's been used or not used.

there are some nice things on the market, like bully sticks that are just smoked/dried without preservatives or additives, dried beef tendons and so on that are much, much better quality and don't pose as much of a risk for obstructions etc. as rawhides do.

 

[smkie]

What about hooves? I will not give mine rawhides anymore.

 

[Love4Pits]

I give my dogs turkey necks and backs at times and also big beef bone varies from what i have at the time. They usually only get their bones during "play time" so I can be there in case someone chokes but i have yet to see that happe. They love their bones lol.

 

[EliNHunter]

it's an iffy subject. you can't really trust any rawhide unless you can get an analysis from the manufacturer, telling you what is or isn't in it. some internet sites recommend that you should only buy rawhide made in the US, but not even that is all the same quality, since they can process imported hides as well.

it's much safer to stick with items where you know for sure what's been used or not used.

there are some nice things on the market, like bully sticks that are just smoked/dried without preservatives or additives, dried beef tendons and so on that are much, much better quality and don't pose as much of a risk for obstructions etc. as rawhides do.

Hi, Mordy! Thanks for your response. Where can one find "bully sticks" which I've never heard of? Are those the dried bones you buy packaged and dry at a pet food store? What about fresh bones from the butcher? (shank and joint are the only ones I know of being available, SOMETIMES, fresh.).

 

[pitbulliest]

You don't have to take my word for it, but I read that rawhides are chemically treated before they hit the shelves at your local pet store...that's one of the reasons they're considered dangerous from what I've heard...

I don't trust them either, and my very first dog used to get them all the time...he's not alive anymore...died of a large cyst that was forming on his neck..had to be put to sleep because he was just plain out suffering...I'd hate to think that rawhides were the reason...but I have never given them to any of my dogs since

RIP Pimpek little guy.

 

[candy722]

Hum..... I've always heard to give your dogs rawhide to clean their teeth but if Toki gets lucky I give him 1 every 3 months. I don't like it when it's all soft and then you can see dirt getting on the rawhide and then he goes back chewing on it.

 

[Mordy]

Where can one find "bully sticks" which I've never heard of? Are those the dried bones you buy packaged and dry at a pet food store? What about fresh bones from the butcher? (shank and joint are the only ones I know of being available, SOMETIMES, fresh.).

i order most of my stuff online, since it's generally cheaper. if you google for "bully sticks" or "pizzles" (they are both names for dried bull penises, just letting you know before you find out elsewhere lol), you'll get a ton of results. high quality stuff is generally not sold by the mass retailers (petco/petsmart) but rather found at smaller, independent places.

it is also smart to research brands before buying anything, either online or retail.

i do not recommend any bones that are sterilized, roasted, baked, smoked or otherwise treated. stick with fresh or frozen, raw, unprocessed bones if you want to feed any.

pork and beef neck pieces are a nice alternative if you can't find shanks or knuckles, and they are sold fairly commonly as soup bones.

what i'd also stay away from are center parts of beef marrow bones, they are too hard and can wear down or splinter teeth.

 

[EliNHunter]

Thank you! I've heard of those Bull penises! Think I'll stick to butcher's bones... the shank for the most part... thanks!

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

My dogs get rawhides every now and then, but they prefer raw bones over rawhides!

 

[smkie]

Anybody know about hooves? I got rid of Victor's rawhides, but he really loves the hooves. He won't touch a nillabone.

 

[Renee750il]

ROFL! Mordy, I hadn't really paid any attention to 'bully sticks" because they would just be tidbits (or tit-bits) to my dogs, so I really wasn't too curious about what they were. Now I KNOW mine will never get them, simply because I have this vision of the Monsters developing a taste for them and following poor O.J. around . . . just waiting for a chance! Besides, I think Charley would have a problem reconciling himself to the idea . . .

 

[smkie]

I cant tell yo how shocked i am about the rawhides, I knew the little stick ones were bad but had always heard that the white ones were good for them. I gave Bronki one everyday after he ate to clean his teeth..Mary too. the vet said they did have great teeth and didn't need cleaning so I thought I was doing the right thing. Now I feel like maybe I had given him a cigerette..he did die of cancer at a very young age. We got rid of the bag of rawhides, and since no one knows about hooves, I will investigate and let you know.

 

[Renee750il]

Smkie, we're just now beginning to see REAL information about pet products becoming available, largely, I think, due to the internet and the accessability of previously unavailable sources. We've all fed and given our dogs things that were awful in total innocence, believing we were taking the best care of them. Put the blame where it belongs - on the manufacturers who have lied to us time after time and continue to do so with no prickings of conscience whatsoever.

 

[roni]

Does anyone give their dogs "Greenies"? Mine absolutely loves them & they are good for them! Cleans their teeth and freshens their breath. (who doesn't need that?!?!) I also found another item made by Greenies called "P-Nutz". Those are supposed to be good for their skin and coat. : )

 

[2pups622]

my dogs LOVE greenies they go nuts over them