12/06/2024
🔴🟢 Please don't put this in your dog's Christmas stocking 🟢🔴
It's that time of year again when store shelves are stocked with Christmas-themed rawhide "treats" for our dogs.
Before you purchase rawhide for your dog, PLEASE read the following. You may be shocked at how it's made and the chemicals used in the process...chemicals that your dog is consuming when you give him rawhide as a "treat."
⚠️⚠️ DID YOU KNOW? ⚠️⚠️
Rawhide is a dog chew that’s a by-product of the LEATHER industry.
It is made from the inner layer of either cow or horse hides. The outer layer of the hides is the leather that is used for shoes, garments, upholstery, etc.
The inner rawhide is treated, dehydrated, and then formed into various shapes as a dog chew.
Once the hide has been separated from the animal, it’s first dipped into high salt brines to slow the decay which can make it very salty.
The hide will also be cleaned with detergent and degreasers and sterilized with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.
The next step after this is to remove any hair or fat attached, which involves harsh chemical combinations.
Then additional chemicals, such as lime, are deployed to separate the layers of skin.
Once the hide has been separated, it is ready to be made into rawhide for dogs. During this process, artificial colors and flavors may be added to make them look and smell more appealing, and they’re then manipulated into fun shapes which can sometimes involve glue.
Some risks of rawhide for dogs (other than the variety of chemicals they are ingesting):
1. Rawhide can cause intestinal obstruction
2. Can be a choking hazard
3. Can break your dog's teeth
4. Contamination/exposure to salmonella or E. coli to dogs & people.
