Stop Feeding your Dogs Rawhide

Wait, what?

Rawhide is one of the most popular dog treats in the UK, surely we must be mistaken… right?

It’s hard to believe, isn’t’ it – this ever-popular dog treat that can keep them entertained and occupied for a few hours, and which sits front and centre on the dog treats shelf in most shops, is so bad for dogs.

How… why?

The Facts

Despite the myths, rawhide is not a by-product of the beef industry – it’s a by-product of the leather industry!

The animal hide is ‘split’. The top section, or grain, is tanned and made into leather. The bottom section is the part which gets turned into what we know as ‘Rawhide’.

How

The ‘toxic’ journey of the hide begins on route to the tannery.

First, it’s treated in a chemical bath to preserve it during transit to the tannery. It then gets a second chemical bath with chemicals such as sodium sulphide or an ash-lye solution to help strip the hair and fat from the hide. After all, no one wants a hairy hide!

Finally, it’s given even more chemical treatment to help puff up and separate the layers.

Once ‘split’, the outer layer goes off to be turned into leather goods, with the inner layer being sent to make things like gelatin, glue and of course, rawhide dog treats.

Next stop, hydrogen peroxide!

No, that’s not a typing error, the next step is a glorious rinse in hydrogen peroxide and/or bleach. This removes any smell of rotten flesh or leather.

Still happy to let them munch on rawhide?

The final prep

Finally, it’s time to make the hide look slightly more appealing on the shelves. This is where artificial colouring is added and then finally the ‘glue’ to turn it into an appealing bone-shaped treat.

Yes. We said glue.

Toxins, like formaldehyde and arsenic, have been detected in rawhide treats, used as a glue to coat the chews to make them last longer.

Other Dangers

Whilst the ‘treat’ starts hard, it doesn’t take long for a dog to turn it into a creamy, gooey mess.

And, if your dogs are anything like ours, they’re quite happy to swallow large chunks of the stuff when it becomes small enough to fit in their mouth whole.

Not only can this cause problems with choking, but it can also cause blockages in the oesophagus or other parts of the digestive tract.

In some cases, abdominal surgery is needed to remove them.

The Alternatives

Thankfully, there are many, many natural alternatives to rawhide treats.

And, we’re pleased to tell you, we have now expanded our ‘Dog Treat’ range to include many of these healthy, tasty and safe alternatives.

Rabbits Ears with Hair

Whilst fur cannot be eaten, furry rabbit ears are exceptionally good for your dog. The fur is classed as a source of fibre and it helps clear food residue from the digestive tract.

It also acts as natural protection against worms as it ‘brushes’ them away from the walls of the digestive system. These ears offer a good healthy chew which is 100% natural.

See our furry rabbit ears here

Beef Tendons

Our beef tendons are naturally tasty treats which your dog will love.

These are completely natural treats made with 100% cow tendons that provide a long-lasting chewy treat for your dog which is completely natural.

Unlike many other treats, the flavour is in the tendon so no flavourings or colourings are needed to get your dog interested.

See our beef tendons here

Lamb Tripe

Packed with nutrients and rich in goodness, lamb tripe makes for a very special treat for your dog.

Not only is it 100% digestible, but it’s also naturally healthy and low in fat.

See our lamb tripe treats here

Beef Tails

Our 100% beef tails are a low odour alternative to the traditional beef pizzle.

Natural beef tails are the perfect long-lasting dog chew and will keep your dog entertained for hours!

See our beef tails here

Natural Twists

Natural Twists, or bladder twists, contain nothing but pure bladder with no additives or extras.

Perfect for satisfying their natural chewing instinct, these treats are not only delicious but they’re great for strengthening teeth and gums too.

Ideal for training your dog or as a guilt-free snack.

See our natural twists here

100% Fish Skin Cubes

These delicious, crunchy treats are made from 100% fish skins.

The rough texture helps remove tartar from your dog’s teeth and have a taste dogs adore!

See our fish skin cubes here

Meat Sticks

Our range of meat sticks is made from 100% meat.

There’s also no offal in these, they are simply prime cuts of meat which has been air-dried to maintain the natural goodness.

We currently stock chicken, beef and salmon with turkey arriving soon.

See our range of meat sticks here.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that will still keep your dog entertained without compromising on their health and wellbeing.

Broadleaf Grain-Free Dog Food

All our grain-free recipes are made from a wide variety of human-grade quality food, sourced from the finest farms and fisheries.

We know that providing dogs with highly nutritious, healthy and great tasting food will provide them with the best quality of life and sourcing our ingredients directly from our farms and trusted sources provide a guarantee of the highest quality product.

In the meantime, if you having any questions relating to your dog’s diet, or if you would like to discuss how our food could potentially help your dog, please get in touch.