Are raw hides good for yorkies? My Vet said no! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BabyRoxy · 12-28-2008, 11:51 AM

My little baby was hospitalized for an intestinal infection. I asked the Vet what could have caused it. After telling him that we have been giving our 7.5 lb yorkie raw hide bones almost everyday for the last couple weeks, he said that could have been a huge cause for the infection. He said that rawhide can not be digested in dogs stomachs. Therefore it can block and cause problems in her stomach. I know that Vets know what they are talking about, but then why are there so many types of rawhides in the stores? Roxy loves to chew on those bones for hours. Has anyone else heard something similar to this? Also what other types of bones can we give her to replace the rawhide? Thank you.

jencar98 · 12-28-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyRoxy

My little baby was hospitalized for an intestinal infection. I asked the Vet what could have caused it. After telling him that we have been giving our 7.5 lb yorkie raw hide bones almost everyday for the last couple weeks, he said that could have been a huge cause for the infection. He said that rawhide can not be digested in dogs stomachs. Therefore it can block and cause problems in her stomach. I know that Vets know what they are talking about, but then why are there so many types of rawhides in the stores? Because of the profit the suppliers make off of people that don't know better and buy them

Roxy loves to chew on those bones for hours. Has anyone else heard something similar to this?I have heard of bacterial infections from rawhides and chews, also blockages.

Also what other types of bones can we give her to replace the rawhide? Thank you.I have given mine Merrick's Flossies and other bully sticks, and I give these only with supervision.

Your vet is right about the rawhides, I would never give them to my dogs. You can also try chew toys to replace the rawhides.

Ashley V · 12-28-2008, 12:07 PM

Your vet is right. There is a safe type of chew out there... it's called a bully stick. It literally comes from an animal and is not processed therefore it is fully digestible. Of course you should NEVER give this to them unattended. Also another safer alternative is a kong with treats or peanut butter inside. Rawhides are around because a lot of people buy them... they think "oh it's in a pet store, it can't be bad" but that is WRONG. There are a lot of things in a pet store that can be bad for them. Before you give your baby anything, research it. This forum is a great source of information!

Yorkiedaze · 12-28-2008, 01:49 PM

It's a multi billion a year industry, and not government regulated, so no, it's not safe. There are too many wonderful treat recipes out there to make that are safe AND nutritious without taking chances on their lives. Give a nice femur bone cut about 1 1/2" thick to chew on.

4doggiemama · 12-28-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

It's a multi billion a year industry, and not government regulated, so no, it's not safe. There are too many wonderful treat recipes out there to make that are safe AND nutritious without taking chances on their lives. Give a nice femur bone cut about 1 1/2" thick to chew on.

Thanks for the alternative suggestion.

alaskayorkie · 12-28-2008, 03:54 PM

Or a bully stick, kong or nylabone.

No matter what they chew on, keep an eye on them. Bones can crack teeth and just about anything can be swallowed.

chloesMama · 12-28-2008, 04:02 PM

I use to give mine rawhide bones too before I found out about the potential damage they can cause. I honestly had no idea , I just figured they were safe because they were everywhere.

I give them Kong treats and digestable bones and homemade treats.

BabyRoxy · 12-28-2008, 11:18 PM

Thank you everyone for responding to my question! I honestly did not know how harmful rawhides were. Wow! It just makes me wonder what else is bad. I want the best for my Roxy and I would never want to put her in harm's way. So is wet food and treats also bad? My vet said that sometimes they can be too rich as well. Again thank you all for your help. Roxy and I truly appreciate it. I'm glad I joined this community!

Ashley V · 12-29-2008, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyRoxy

Thank you everyone for responding to my question! I honestly did not know how harmful rawhides were. Wow! It just makes me wonder what else is bad. I want the best for my Roxy and I would never want to put her in harm's way. So is wet food and treats also bad? My vet said that sometimes they can be too rich as well. Again thank you all for your help. Roxy and I truly appreciate it. I'm glad I joined this community!

Wet food isn't bad for them, but it is more fattening and dry food is better for their teeth. Treats are fine.

flgurl69 · 12-29-2008, 04:04 AM

I give my babies Merrick flossies and they love them. I have to watch them though. Once Bella tried to swallow a piece of flossie about an inch long. She choked on it and it came back up. It scared me to death.

bjh · 12-29-2008, 05:57 AM

I have given my yorkies cow ears and hooves for years and have never had any problems. My dogs love them.

Tamilynn · 12-29-2008, 07:27 AM

I don't give my dogs rawhides or pig ears, but I have tried a lot of different options Nylabone makes a edible bone that my yorkie loved and now won't touch- maybe cause I bought a big bag lol, kong makes this treat called Ziggies (I get the puppysize) its suppose to go inside the kong but Carter just gives it back to me and looks at me (as to say get it out I just want the treat) I also got some green things (they are not greenies, they are also made be nylabone I think) These say on the package safe for digestion and good for teeth. Just wanted to give you some options. - Tami

None of these have given me problems and it is so great to give them something to chew. I don't think petstores should have unhealthy things for dogs how are we suppose to know if good stores sell these things. I just never liked the idea of some of that stuff, and I read that rawhides can scratch their throats real bad too. Good Luck.

Ashley V · 12-29-2008, 10:43 AM

Pigs Ears aren't bad for them, but they are very greasy and fatty which is hard on their tummies. My cousin bought one for Chip a long time ago and Chip threw up all night long. My cousin felt so bad, but he didn't know!

bonnielynn · 12-29-2008, 01:38 PM

Atticus loved them but Bully sticks and pig ears smell so BAD! how do you guys stand it. I'm trying to break the raw hide habit but we keep going back to them.

AMD · 12-29-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnielynn

Atticus loved them but Bully sticks and pig ears smell so BAD! how do you guys stand it. I'm trying to break the raw hide habit but we keep going back to them.

I have Bully Sticks that do not stink. If you'd like to try one (free) just PM me! Or you can send me a contact form from my website. www.WestbrookDog.com

12-28-2008, 11:51 AM	#1
BabyRoxy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 4	Are raw hides good for yorkies? My Vet said no! My little baby was hospitalized for an intestinal infection. I asked the Vet what could have caused it. After telling him that we have been giving our 7.5 lb yorkie raw hide bones almost everyday for the last couple weeks, he said that could have been a huge cause for the infection. He said that rawhide can not be digested in dogs stomachs. Therefore it can block and cause problems in her stomach. I know that Vets know what they are talking about, but then why are there so many types of rawhides in the stores? Roxy loves to chew on those bones for hours. Has anyone else heard something similar to this? Also what other types of bones can we give her to replace the rawhide? Thank you.

12-28-2008, 12:07 PM	#3
Ashley V ♥ Chip ♥ Smokey ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg Posts: 3,835	Your vet is right. There is a safe type of chew out there... it's called a bully stick. It literally comes from an animal and is not processed therefore it is fully digestible. Of course you should NEVER give this to them unattended. Also another safer alternative is a kong with treats or peanut butter inside. Rawhides are around because a lot of people buy them... they think "oh it's in a pet store, it can't be bad" but that is WRONG. There are a lot of things in a pet store that can be bad for them. Before you give your baby anything, research it. This forum is a great source of information! __________________ ~~ Chip ~~ Smokey ~*~ My heart is wrapped around their little paws Karley Marissa born 1/20/12 weighing 8 lbs 11 oz and 21.5 inches long

12-28-2008, 01:49 PM	#4
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	It's a multi billion a year industry, and not government regulated, so no, it's not safe. There are too many wonderful treat recipes out there to make that are safe AND nutritious without taking chances on their lives. Give a nice femur bone cut about 1 1/2" thick to chew on. __________________ AZRAEL RAZAEL JILLI ANN

12-28-2008, 03:54 PM	#6
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	Or a bully stick, kong or nylabone. No matter what they chew on, keep an eye on them. Bones can crack teeth and just about anything can be swallowed. __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

12-28-2008, 04:02 PM	#7
chloesMama YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: here :) Posts: 1,182	I use to give mine rawhide bones too before I found out about the potential damage they can cause. I honestly had no idea , I just figured they were safe because they were everywhere. I give them Kong treats and digestable bones and homemade treats. __________________ *Chloe & Sydney*

12-28-2008, 11:18 PM	#8
BabyRoxy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 4	Raw hides Thank you everyone for responding to my question! I honestly did not know how harmful rawhides were. Wow! It just makes me wonder what else is bad. I want the best for my Roxy and I would never want to put her in harm's way. So is wet food and treats also bad? My vet said that sometimes they can be too rich as well. Again thank you all for your help. Roxy and I truly appreciate it. I'm glad I joined this community!

12-29-2008, 04:04 AM	#10
flgurl69 <3 My Little Bella Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 2,143	I give my babies Merrick flossies and they love them. I have to watch them though. Once Bella tried to swallow a piece of flossie about an inch long. She choked on it and it came back up. It scared me to death. __________________ Official Member of The cRaZy Club Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none. William Shakespeare

12-29-2008, 05:57 AM	#11
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	I have given my yorkies cow ears and hooves for years and have never had any problems. My dogs love them.

12-29-2008, 07:27 AM	#12
Tamilynn YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA Posts: 9	Some optons I don't give my dogs rawhides or pig ears, but I have tried a lot of different options Nylabone makes a edible bone that my yorkie loved and now won't touch- maybe cause I bought a big bag lol, kong makes this treat called Ziggies (I get the puppysize) its suppose to go inside the kong but Carter just gives it back to me and looks at me (as to say get it out I just want the treat) I also got some green things (they are not greenies, they are also made be nylabone I think) These say on the package safe for digestion and good for teeth. Just wanted to give you some options. - Tami None of these have given me problems and it is so great to give them something to chew. I don't think petstores should have unhealthy things for dogs how are we suppose to know if good stores sell these things. I just never liked the idea of some of that stuff, and I read that rawhides can scratch their throats real bad too. Good Luck.

12-29-2008, 10:43 AM	#13
Ashley V ♥ Chip ♥ Smokey ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg Posts: 3,835	Pigs Ears aren't bad for them, but they are very greasy and fatty which is hard on their tummies. My cousin bought one for Chip a long time ago and Chip threw up all night long. My cousin felt so bad, but he didn't know! __________________ ~~ Chip ~~ Smokey ~*~ My heart is wrapped around their little paws Karley Marissa born 1/20/12 weighing 8 lbs 11 oz and 21.5 inches long

12-29-2008, 01:38 PM	#14
bonnielynn Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brandywine, MD USA Posts: 95	Atticus loved them but Bully sticks and pig ears smell so BAD! how do you guys stand it. I'm trying to break the raw hide habit but we keep going back to them. __________________ How far that little candle throws its beam! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. --The Merchant of Venice.