Are rawhide bones good for dogs?
On One Hand: Benefits for DogsWhen properly supervised, rawhide bones are good for dogs. Rawhide bones help satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew. Gnawing on rawhide bones also helps to remove plaque, a cause of periodontal disease, from a dog’s teeth, according to Marty Smith, DVM at Peteducation.com.On the Other: Perils and DangersThere are better chewing alternatives for dogs than rawhide bones. Swallowing rawhide bones is potentially dangerous to a dog. If a large enough piece of rawhide is ingested, it can obstruct a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, according to ASPCA.org. A dog can also choke on smaller pieces of rawhide.Bottom LineGive dogs large rawhide bones to enable them to receive the benefits of chewing rawhide without the dangers. Do not allow a dog to chew on any rawhide bone that can be swallowed.
