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.