Canine Library: General

Are Rawhides Safe?

Rawhides are a healthy addition to a balanced diet.

Although rawhide is not the highest quality nutritional ingredient available, it is broken down by the dog's powerful digestive system. Wild dogs eat the skin of their prey and have survived for centuries. Even if the rawhide is not totally digested, it will pass through the digestive system and pass out the other end the way nature intended.

As long as rawhide chews are tanned safely (those made in the United States are fine because the manufacturers must follow USDA rules), they are safe--in reasonable numbers--for most dogs. If you limit your dog to one or two rawhides a week, you can feel secure that there will be minimal residue.

Author(s): Wilcox, Bonnie, D.V.M.
Publication: Dog Fancy
Issue Date: March 1994


Canine Library: General