The Dangers of Rawhide Bones

People give there dogs rawhides every day without any ill effects to the animal. But there are some dangers to consider.

Considerations

Rawhide bones can be serious choking hazards for dogs. If a dog swallows a large enough chunk of a rawhide, it can be fatal.

Throat Issues

If a dog swallows a piece of rawhide that is too hard, it can scrape the dog's throat or esophagus.

Warning

The production of rawhide isn't regulated in many countries. In some of those countries, arsenic-based products are used as preservatives.

Internal Issues

When it gets wet, rawhide expands. This can lead to problems in a dog's stomach or intestines.

Chemicals

Rawhide bones are treated with lime and bleach. Both chemicals are caustic if not properly removed from the rawhide during production.

References

• Dog Bone
• Rawhide Danger