Rawhide

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Tuesday, 22 March 2011 19:06

How Safe Are Rawhide Dog Chews?

no-rawhide-homeRawhide is absolutely one of the most dangerous treats that you can give to your Bull Terrier. Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers and pet stores still do very well at selling the product. But because there are a lot of uninformed consumers, the sale of rawhide products will likely continue. However, because you are informed of the dangers of rawhide chews, it is best to never allow your pet to eat or chew them.

Once your Bull Terrier ingests the rawhide, not only has he ingested several harmful chemicals, but the rawhide also expands in his stomach. When this happens, it can block major passageways in the digestive tract; which can lead to a fatal situation. In addition, rawhide poses a major choking hazard because as your dog chews it, the pieces break down into shards which can become lodged in the throat.

Published in Bull Terrier Articles
Monday, 21 March 2011 11:30

Bones and your Bull Terrier's Health

beef_knuckle_bones

Healthy dog bones may be fed to your pet and come in many forms, from natural bones to artificial products. It is important to consider the benefits and the risks of the different bone types and choose the right product for your dog.

Bones Are Important for Your Bull Terrier's Health

There are many health benefits that dogs get from chewing bones:

  1. The dental health in dogs is maintained by their natural habit of chewing on various hard objects or food.
  2. Chewing on a bone will help remove plaque off the teeth.
  3. The gums will be healthier due to the removal of bacterial plaque.
  4. Many dental problems and visits to the dentist can be avoided by giving a dog something to chew on.
  5. Chewing healthy dog bones helps exercise mouth joints and muscles.
  6. Chewing bones is a form of entertainment for dogs.
  7. A dog that has nothing to chew on can more easily become nervous or bored
 Risks of Bones for Dogs

Chewing is a great pleasure for a dog; however, there are some things you should consider:

Cooked bones should be avoided because they tend to hinder digestion. Never give sawed or cut bones to your dog, as there is a high risk of bone splinters.

More and more dog owners are considering raw diets for their dogs, and bones are often included in this diet. However, you should know that there is a chance of choking on a bone, or a bone fragment can block the dog's intestines or cause organ puncture.

Rawhide bones taste like beef, because they're made of cow skin. As rawhide becomes sticky when chewed, it may become stuck in the dog's intestinal tract, just as chewing gum would. Also, as pieces of the rawhide are torn, they can scratch the dog's oesophagus.  If you decide to give rawhide bones to your dog, you should also check the preservatives used. Compressed rawhide bones are a better option.

Cow hooves can also be dangerous. Because they are very hard, the dog can break a tooth while chewing on them. Small pieces broken from the cow hoof can perforate the bowel walls.

When it comes to pig ears, the first thing you should be aware of is the danger of salmonella. Pig ears can also cause intestinal blockages, just as rawhide.

Recommended Healthy Dog Bones

Artificial bones which are made of nylon eliminate the risk of choking or organ punctures, because only small bits can be broken off these bones. These really small parts travel through the digestive tract and are eliminated without harming the dog. However, your dog might not enjoy them as much, so you will have to observe his reaction and whether he enjoys these bones.

Cornstarch bones are the safest for dogs to chew on, provided that the dog does not have food allergies.

Our recommendation is the raw beef knuckle bones as shown below.

Published in Bull Terrier Articles