Do rawhide treats good for my dog? - Dogs

SOURCE: My dog is overweight and I don't want to take his treats away from him entirely. Can anyone suggest some good treats for a doggie on a diet?

You should get your dog all-natural treats filled with proteins. I have located a great site about low-fat, all-natural treats for you to browse through.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/dog-treats/natural-treats/ps/c/3307/19/75

SOURCE: I heard rawhide treats are great for dogs, but what is it?

You heard right, rawhide treats are good for your dogs dental health. Rawhide comes from the inner layer of cow/horses hides. To make them more appealing, some rawhide treats contain chicken/beef/liver flavoring.

SOURCE: Is there a benefit to giving my dog rawhide treats?

Yes. Instinctively all dogs chew - instead of it being your shoes why not give your dog a rawhide bone! The act of chewing will also help to strengthen your dogs jaw, keep their teeth clean and their breath a little fresher.

SOURCE: Are there any risks associated with giving my dogs rawhide?

Given the amount of rawhide consumed by dogs each year, the risks are relatively small. Still, risks can be serious, so don't ignore them. Weigh the risks and benefits of giving rawhides based upon your dog's chewing needs and behaviors.

These are the most common rawhide risks:

• Contamination. As with pet toys,rawhide chews can contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals. And, as with other pet (or human) foods, Salmonella or E. coli contamination are possible. Even humans can be at risk when coming into contact with these bacteria on rawhide treats.
• Digestive irritation. Some dogs are simply sensitive or allergic to rawhide or other substances used in their manufacture. This can cause problems, including diarrhea.
• Choking or blockages. Rawhide bones and other edible chews can pose a choking and blockage risk. In fact, this is a much bigger risk than contamination or digestive irritation. If your dog swallows large pieces of rawhide, the rawhide can get stuck in the esophagus or other parts of the digestive tract. Sometimes a vet can remove these pieces fairly easily through the throat. But sometimes open surgery is needed to remove them. If it isn't resolved, a blockage can lead to death.