Nice, they are about in a few different adverts, I spot them every now and again.
Choking :(
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I've only used the flat strip rawhides, and have never had any issues whatsoever. I think these are less prone to causing issues, as they will end up softening all of the edges of the rawhide when they chew on it. They're especially good for their back teeth, a vet had recommended these awhile back and I have had great results with them ever since. Although I do tend to keep an eye on him anyways.
As others have mentioned, anything can be chewed down to a choking hazard. Best to supervise them when you can.
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I am not a fan of rawhides. I think there are better things for them to chew on.JMO.
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Since I have posted repeatedly on the dangers of rawhide, the many vets and hospitals declaring them unsafe and not worth the risk, not going to repeat it except to wonder why it took two chokings and you still don't get it?
And yeah, that response is snarky and I meant it to be. Having seen a dog choke to death, and know how horrific it is, I just don't get taking the risk.
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I had one nearly choke on rawhide yrs ago, no longer use them. We dehydrate chicken for ours which can breaks up as they chew it.
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What are 'bully sticks?'
"We give bully sticks, at least 12 inch, and take away the last 2 inches, before they can swallow." Anne
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I have one b that chews all her food 100 times! Just like Mom taught her.
But my BRAT boy barely tastes his food. I have to give him stuff that is bigger & harder. And, like everyone else mentions, I take it away when it gets small.
My bs only get bones when I'm around. The have chew hooves laying around but will only chew on them in the evening when I'm home. Weird dogs!!!:p
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What are 'bully sticks?'
"We give bully sticks, at least 12 inch, and take away the last 2 inches, before they can swallow." Anne
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I don't give my current Basenji rawhide chews since my last 2 Basenjis used to gag on trying to swallow little pcs years ago. Too dangerous!
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I think DexterDex will be safe now. In general, as mentioned, it's best to supervise when they are chewing anything. We also take away the bully sticks when they get too small. Thankfully the 12" ones do last a decent amount of time for us.
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I don't ever give them to him when I'm not home, and I am always in the room when he chews on them. And OBVIOUSLY if I said that I won't be giving them to him any more SO I DO GET IT NOW, THANKS. I won't say anything else regarding the "snarky" response. I Usually do take them away when they get too small, but he goes through them so fast that sometimes I don't see when he is ready to eat the last bit- I guess my idea of supervision didn't include watching him and only him for the entire duration of the chewing. The ones that I give are the smallish square pieces, the 12in sticks seems much better and I will try those out. I will be sure to keep an eye out to take away the last couple inches. He doesn't want to chew on toys at all and the rawhide is the only thing that seems to amuse him inside.
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Have you tried the compressed rawhide…where it is rolled really flat, and then compressed back together, and cut into shapes. It is usually dark tan, instead of white. And while a dog could still choke on those, they tend to come apart in smaller, more digestable 'sheets' instead of chunks. It is the only kind of rawhide I will use, and I have never had a problem with it. I do take it away when it is 2-3 inches. Some dogs will consume a 12inch bone quickly, some will work on it for weeks.
Also consider that this might be a behavioral thing. A lot of times, a dog is engaging in resource guarding when they gulp food or treats down un-chewed, particularly if they feel like someone is about to take it. The fact that the blanket fell on him, and startled him, then he squawked, then he swallowed the chunk (or tried) makes me think he might be doing some resource guarding. You might see about doing some treat exchanges with his favorite things, to make sure he doesn't panic if he thinks someone might take something from him
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I give rawhides under supervision only and I give the rolled rawhides that are over a foot long. I also give bullysticks under supervison. The girls do have access to antlers. Z's is about a foot long and the malinois' is a little bigger and thicker. They got them for Christmas and are still in good shape. I have not seen any pieces come off the antlers and the dogs' seem to enjoy them but like the bullysticks better. I do not feed hooves b/c they can chip teeth. (And hurt like a #$$%% when you step on them in the middle of the night!)
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Well, I am not sure if this is evidence against him resource guarding, but he really doesn't seem to mind me taking his treats or food from him ever. I actually take the rawhide from him while he is chewing if we move rooms or something and he doesn't seem to mind whatsoever. I touch his mouth (outside obviously) and face while he eats treats sometimes and he doesn't react whatsoever to that either. He doesn't seem to ever eat quickly or gulp down the treats, I think the problem with the rawhide is just that the two times he choked/swallowed a sharp piece was that they were too small to hold with his paws and break pieces off like he usually does, so he just put it all in his mouth and didn't chew it enough. I WILL NOT give him those any more though and anything that I do give him will be taken away toward the end of it.
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Have you tried the compressed rawhide…where it is rolled really flat, and then compressed back together, and cut into shapes. It is usually dark tan, instead of white. And while a dog could still choke on those, they tend to come apart in smaller, more digestable 'sheets' instead of chunks. It is the only kind of rawhide I will use, and I have never had a problem with it. I do take it away when it is 2-3 inches. Some dogs will consume a 12inch bone quickly, some will work on it for weeks.
I believe that's the kind I use with my B. It's a darker color. I have just flat strips (squares usually) and Kananga chews them down to basically nothing, and then swallows what's left. I'm never concerned because he never has tried to swallow a large piece.
I would agree there is a behavior thing to it as well. Some dogs will simply try and consume it without thinking about it, so you'd have to be careful with practically anything at that point.
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Well, I am not sure if this is evidence against him resource guarding, but he really doesn't seem to mind me taking his treats or food from him ever. I actually take the rawhide from him while he is chewing if we move rooms or something and he doesn't seem to mind whatsoever. I touch his mouth (outside obviously) and face while he eats treats sometimes and he doesn't react whatsoever to that either. He doesn't seem to ever eat quickly or gulp down the treats, I think the problem with the rawhide is just that the two times he choked/swallowed a sharp piece was that they were too small to hold with his paws and break pieces off like he usually does, so he just put it all in his mouth and didn't chew it enough. I WILL NOT give him those any more though and anything that I do give him will be taken away toward the end of it.
Perfect! Keep up the good work!
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Thank you!
I appreciate that. Also, the fact that more than once our neighbors leave their trash out and cats tear up the bag so Dex discovered a chicken bone laying around, he didn't even mind me taking that straight from his mouth. He just looked up at me like "Awwww mannnn….Oh, well, Let's continue our walk!" haha. -
I give rawhides under supervision only and I give the rolled rawhides that are over a foot long. I also give bullysticks under supervison. The girls do have access to antlers. Z's is about a foot long and the malinois' is a little bigger and thicker. They got them for Christmas and are still in good shape. I have not seen any pieces come off the antlers and the dogs' seem to enjoy them but like the bullysticks better. I do not feed hooves b/c they can chip teeth. (And hurt like a #$$%% when you step on them in the middle of the night!)
Oh my… you have that right... about the hooves....
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suki choked on a flat square rawhide piece once. now i give her the the skinny rolled kind (about the diameter of a pencil). they don't last as long, but she won't choke, at least. i also give bully sticks, which she loves (but they're a little more pricey).
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Thank you for the suggestions!
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Best Bully Sticks will actually mail you a free sample if you would like to try one out for Dexter:
http://www.bestbullysticks.com/home/bbs/sample_main.htmlYou've obviously learned your lesson now, so have fun exploring the wide world of durable dog chews.
We don't give rawhide anymore EXCEPT in with C.E.T. dental strips that we sometimes give, though under close supervision. Not a huge fan of hooves around here either (they kind of stink! and yes, I've stepped on them before and OUCH!). But we like Himalayan Yak Chews, antlers, and various edible dental chews like Zuke's and Terrabones (though the latter don't last very long).On Himalayan Yak Chews, it appears to chip off in shards, which alarms some people. We've never had a problem with it though. When it gets down to the last little stub, you do need to remove it. But if you microwave it for 40 seconds or so, it will puff up and become extremely porous, like a giant, hard Cheez-it. And then your dog can safely consume the last bit without serious fear of choking.