Q: What are your thoughts on rawhide chew treats for pets? Do you have an opinion on cow hooves as a chew treat?
A: Rawhide is the processed skin of cattle. It provides dogs with a satisfying chewing experience. However, I'm not a big fan of most rawhide products. Rawhide can be contaminated with potentially harmful ingredients such as arsenic, antibiotics, lead or insecticides that could affect your dog's health. Rawhide also can cause gastric irritation.
Cow hooves might pose more of a problem than rawhide treats. They are hard enough that dogs can break their teeth when chewing a hoof. On rare occasions, a piece can become lodged in the roof of the mouth, in the esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Finally, the popular pig-ears chew treats can also cause gastrointestinal upset.
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Safer options include large, fresh, meaty bones.