This article focuses mainly on the latter concerns see sidebar, below, for more information about the former problems. There are three main raps on rawhides: problems associated with the physical act of chewing and swallowing the chews (such as broken teeth, choking, gastrointestinal obstructions, etc.) bacterial contamination and concerns about the presence of manufacturing chemicals in the animal-based products. Chewing rawhides satisfies a dog’s need to exercise his jaws, relieves boredom, and aids dental health, since chewing rawhides can help remove plaque and tartar from a dog’s teeth. The Rap on RawhideĪmong the most popular of the animal-based chews is the basic rawhide. And because these products are not considered “food,” they fall into a regulatory grey zone, with little (if any) oversight from either the Department of Agriculture or the FDA.
#Rawhide and dogs free#
The trick is finding products that contain a minimum of the preservative chemicals, yet are still free of harmful bacteria. Think about it: All products that are of animal origin need to be treated in some way to prevent spoiling. The company isn’t breaking any rules or laws it’s perfectly legal for a manufacturer to list the ingredients of a rawhide chew as “100% cowhide,” even if the hide was washed in formaldehyde and whitened with titanium dioxide. The Leash Connection, a retailer in Clayton, Alabama, sells its wares online and touts its “natural dog bones, natural dog treats, and natural dog chews.” When we asked Carmen O’Conner, a spokesperson for the company, what makes the products natural, she said, “I just go by what they (the suppliers) list the ingredients as.” Some vendors tout their wares as “all natural” based simply on the marketing materials or ingredient lists sent to them by suppliers, without researching what’s behind the final product. Despite the fact that dogs do eat these things, they are not considered “food,” and there are no federal agencies that oversee or regulate the market other than to provide permits required for production. But it may have been bathed in chemicals when processed, dunked in a liquid smoke substance for flavoring, or worse there’s just no way to know. Labeling a finished product as “all-natural” could simply mean the final processor hasn’t used any preservatives. The term actually has no legal or regulatory definition, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The phrase “all-natural” shouldn’t be construed as either healthy or true. Nearby you’ll likely find the knackery wares: cattle hooves, bones, tendons, and penises, and pig ears and snouts – items that can make even the most seasoned carnivore cringe, though they may delight your dog.Īre these animal-based chews, even the ones labeled “all-natural,” truly safe for your canine companion?
0 kommentar(er)
