One of the many advantages dog owners have today, is access to increasingly important research into dog nutrition. In these types of studies, one of the factors that are considered is the digestibility of an ingredient. The higher the digestibility and the more nutritious it is, the better it will be for the dog.
In studies with rawhide chew toys, disturbing and concerning information was discovered. Rawhide chews, which are common in all department stores and pet stores, were significantly undigested. In fact, in 24 hours, there was as much as 50% of the rawhide still in the dog’s digestive system. This undigested mass poses a risk of creating an intestinal blockage and causing stomach discomfort and upset.
What is Rawhide?
Most people assume rawhide is actual beef hide that is rolled and baked. In fact, rawhide is just the very inner layer of the hide, usually removed at a tannery and then shipped for processing. Rawhide imported from countries outside of the USA often contains horsehide as well as the tough inner layer of beef hides.
This waste product is then treated with chemicals to remove bacteria and baked, flavored artificially, smoked or stuffed to make it palatable for dogs.
A Dog Rawhide Alternative
To avoid the problem with the digestibility of rawhide, as well as the other potential health issues, vets and dog owners now recommend a safe, healthy and nutritious dog rawhide alternative.
These chews are made from baked pork skin, chicken, milk and peanut butter, providing a great tasting chew that is 99.9% digested in 24 hours. These healthy chews are preferred by dogs of all ages 9 to 1, and they provide owners with a top dog rawhide alternative for weaned puppies through to senior pets.
