What's in the Rawhide (Besides Hide)?
 

The Internet provided a disgusting discovery; Dr. Markway was right on target with his diagnosis and comments. Salmonella bacteria is often present especially if the rawhide comes from outside the US. Another problem is arsenic used as a preservative. This is, in essence, giving your pet poison! Other dangerous additives can include antibiotics, lead and insecticides. Some countries like Thailand even include pieces of dog and cat skin in these products. Health problems from rawhide chews include sore throat, choking, intestinal blockage as well as the acute pancreatitis Taco and Seismo experienced.
 

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to collapse and death. Most animals with common gastrointestinal upset have any or all of the following:
 

• Vomiting
   
• Not eating
   
• Painful abdomen, hunched appearance (more common in dogs)
• Fever or below-normal body temperature
   
• Diarrhea
   
• Depression
   
• Dehydration (diagnosed by sunken eyes, dry mouth and the skin "tents" when pinched)¹
   

If you want to do your own investigating, try entering "rawhide chew" + sick in a search engine. Be prepared for a lot of results. Below you will find enough to get a good picture.

 

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WHAT IS RAWHIDE?

Rawhide is literally the outside of a cow - the skin. It provides dogs with a satisfying chewing experience plus it's cheap and easy to find. So how can it be dangerous?

 

Here's the Problem
 

Hidden Dangers

Dr. John Wedeking, an Iowa veterinarian, remembers hearing about rawhide in the news.

"Reports of arsenic contamination popped up in papers once," he says, but adds that it came from another country.

Since rawhide is not regulated in any way, it could happen again. These foreign hides may also contain other detrimental things such as antibiotics, lead, or insecticides that could adversely affect your dog's health.

Wedeking adds that dogs can easily choke on it when the original large rawhide object is chewed down to a smaller piece.

'Choking is a hazard, and rawhide can cause gastric irritation when dogs chew on it often," he says. Wedeking adds that gastric irritation can also cause vomiting and extreme discomfort in dogs.²



Rawhides, Cow Hooves and Pigs' Ears

"These well-liked dog treats are purchased in large numbers, especially around holidays, by well-meaning dog owners hoping to give their pets something special. These toys are favorites for many dogs and are popular with owners because they keep their pets occupied and supposedly out of trouble during holiday activities. There are definite risks associated with these treats, however. All three types are supposedly made of digestible animal products. However, they are digested quite slowly and, if consumed rapidly, can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. If the treats are swallowed whole or in large chunks, there are additional dangers. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs' ears) for more details.

"Cow hooves are even more dangerous than rawhides. They are hard enough that a dog can actually break a tooth on one. They can also be chewed up into sharp fragments which may cause a partial intestinal obstruction. Partial obstructions are often difficult to diagnose until the point at which the fragment is ready to perforate the wall of the bowel from pressure against the sharp edges. If perforation has occurred, the infection that ensues from leakage of intestinal contents can be fatal.

"Pigs' ears can cause GI upset if overeaten, similar to the situation with rawhides, although obstructions are less common because the ears are not usually shaped into solid chunks. There is, however, a less widely known danger associated with pig ears: A recent FDA advisory published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human services on Oct.1, 1999, stated that there is "a nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of recent cases in Canada of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials (e.g., pigs ears, beef jerky treats, smoked hooves, pigs skins, etc.)... FDA is urging pet owners... to handle them carefully. Anyone who comes in contact with these treats should wash their hands with hot water and soap. Initial reports of illnesses came from Canada and involved Canadian products, but subsequent examination of similar products produced in the U.S. indicate that all pet chew products of this type may pose a risk...."³



Where is the Rawhide Chew Made?

Tests on imported pet products made from animal hides by UK health authorities revealed many carried the salmonella bug, a common cause of gastrointestinal infections in humans.

They found that one in three batches imported from Thailand and one in eight from China contained salmonellas that had survived processing and manufacturing, although samples from the Indian subcontinent appeared free of contamination. (DEYO NOTE: Many of these chews - even from well-known pet stores - come from Thailand. Be sure to read the label.)

Doctors warned that small children might be at most risk of infection, since they were especially likely to come into close contact with dogs and their chews.⁴



Dog and Cat Used in Some Rawhide Chews

"More than 2 million dogs and cats are killed for their fur each year. The Humane Society of the United States recently finished an 18-month investigation of the fur trade. Investigators went to China, Thailand, and the Philippines. They found dogs and cats being treated inhumanely and then killed for their fur and skin. More than 2 million cats and dogs are killed for their fur each year. Some of this fur and skin is imported to the United States.

"It is not against the law to wear, sell, and import cat and dog fur in the United States. It is, however, illegal to kill cats and dogs for their fur. This is different in China and many other places. There cats and dogs can be raised and killed for their fur and skin. Some of these animals come from breeding farms, but others are strays and stolen pets.

"The Humane Society found animals kept in crowded and dirty conditions. They are transported in bags. They are not fed regularly. Dogs are often cut in the hind leg or groin when they are killed. They then bleed to death. The dogs are sometimes skinned while they are still alive. Cats are often strangled to death. These methods leave the animals' fur in good condition for use as coats and trim, but are cruel.

"Cat and dog skin is difficult to recognize. It looks the same as other leather. It often comes from Thailand and the Philippines. Items which often use cat and dog skin include rawhide chew toys, musical instruments, clothing, purses, bed sheets, car upholstery, gloves, sports equipment, and medicine."⁵



What You Can Do

If you must give your dog rawhide, offer it in limited quantity, under supervision, and throw away small chewed-down pieces. Always watch your dog carefully for any adverse reactions. Our veterinarian advises giving them a miss altogether. When we asked Dr. Markway why these products were still on the market, he too was mystified, but stated the public is largely unaware of rawhide's dangers.

Choose only products made in the US. There are numerous other dog chews made from healthful ingredients. Some are vegetable based and infused with flavor. Hardened rubber versions that won't splinter are fine too. Better yet, Markway recommends marrow bones as an excellent choice.

After purchasing marrow bones from the grocery store, we throw them in the pressure-cooker for about 15 minutes, cool and freeze them until needed. That way you can avoid these tummy dramas unless you run out!



More Tips

We all love to indulge our 4-legged kids but our foods don't always agree with them. Dr. Lucy Pinkerton offers great pet advice on
 

1) Chocolate
2) Rich, fatty foods
3) Dairy products
4) Rawhides, cow hooves, & pigs' ears
5) Bones
6) Onions (!)
7) Alcoholic beverages
8) Over-eating in general
9) Beware of the candy dish!

in Chocolate & Other Dangerous Goodies


REFERENCES
¹Veterinary Q & A: Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cat; http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa111700a.htm
²http://nmnm.essortment.com/rawhidechew_rbzt.htm
³Chocolate & Other Dangerous Goodies; http://www.dog.com/vet/holidays/04.html#4
⁴DOG-E-DATA Monthly Magazine; http://www.dog-e-data.com.au/newsletter/Archive/2001/October2001/october2001_12.asp
⁵http://www.keynews.org/archives/a_fur.html