Rawhide chews have become a popular treat for pet owners to give their dogs, but what happens when a dog is allergic to rawhide? Rawhide allergies can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, so it’s important to understand what these allergies are and how to recognize them. This blog post will discuss the possible causes of rawhide allergies in dogs and how to identify them. It will also include tips on how to choose the best rawhide chews for your dog, while avoiding potential allergens and potential health risks. You’ll walk away with valuable information on how to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable.
Food Sensitivity
True allergies to specific foods in a dog’s diet are rare, occurring in only 10% of dogs.
You can take control of the situation if you believe your dog has food allergies by gradually removing specific foods from its diet (e g. chicken, wheat, corn, etc. ).
You can also take him to your vet’s office for dog allergy testing, or try an environmental sensitivity test from brands like Pet Medella or Glacier Peak Holistics.
My 38-pound Feist mix dog, Wally, tried the Glacier Peak Holistics test. View his test results here; it was worthwhile to take!
Additionally, recurring ear infections could be signs of a food allergy. A dog may be allergic to rawhide chews in addition to being intolerant to specific meats.
A side note: Food intolerance differs from true food allergies in several ways.
Your dog’s digestive system may be intolerant of the food if he vomits or gets diarrhea after eating a particular ingredient.
Dog allergy symptoms
Look for any or all of the following symptoms if you’re unsure whether your dog is actually experiencing allergy problems:
Your dog will exhibit rashes and have red, raw skin as a result.
As a side note, a dog that chews or licks may also be attempting to get rid of external parasites like ticks or reduce itching from fleas or lice.
What is Rawhide?
While rawhide’s name may lead you to believe that this popular doggy chew toy comes from the beef industry and is made from dehydrated meat, this is not the case. Instead, rawhide is, essentially, the leather industry’s leftovers—and it’s not quite as “raw” as we may think.
Cattle hides are treated with chemicals after being sent from slaughterhouses to tanneries for processing in order to remove hair and fat, slow decay, and get the hide ready for splitting.
The product is then cleaned with additional chemicals to remove any decay and brighten it. Some rawhide goods are even painted to improve their aesthetic appeal.
The last steps are to add even more chemicals, sometimes even glue, to the product until it is ready for the store.
FAQ
How do you know if your dog is allergic to rawhide?
Runny nose and eyes, itchy or flaky skin, hair loss from the coat, hives, ear infections, inflamed paws, or paws that are constantly licked and chewed are signs of a rawhide allergy. But eating or choking on the treats poses the biggest risk when it comes to rawhide treats.
Why you shouldn’t give your dog rawhide?
Rawhides are designed to be chews that last a long time and eventually crumble into small, pliable pieces. Strong chewers can, however, frequently break off substantial pieces that pose a serious choking hazard or result in an intestinal blockage, both of which are potentially fatal situations.
What kind of rawhides are safe for dogs?
- Castor & Pollux Good Buddy Rawhide Treats. …
- Lucky Chicken-Wrapped Rawhide Treats. …
- Pet Factory Rawhides. …
- Pet Factory Peanut Butter Beefhide. …
- Raw Paws Compressed Rawhide Treats.
Can rawhide upset dogs stomach?
Choking: once more, ingesting large pieces of rawhide can result in choking. Digestive distress: Some dogs can’t handle rawhide and get diarrhea or vomiting spells.