In the world of chewable treats, the question ‘Is a rawhide best for dogs?‘ is the subject of a raging debate. Some people swear by them while others speak against them. So, what are they exactly?
A rawhide treat for dogs is made using the inner layer of a cow, horse, or sheep hide. The inner layer, as you might know, is soft. Making it a great dog treat. But this is also the reason why some people don’t like them. These people opt for the best rawhide alternatives, instead. Let us go in deeper and look at the 12 best rawhides for dogs.
Top 12 Best Rawhide for Dogs
Choosing the best rawhide for dogs is quite simple. All you need to do is get a cup of coffee and keep on reading.
1. Buffalo Range All-Natural Grain-Free Jerky
The Buffalo Range All-Natural Jerky Braid is beef jerky wrapped in beef rawhide. So, if your dog is allergic to beef, move on. However, if your dog isn’t allergic to beef, your dog is in for a treat.
First up, the braided design is excellent as it makes the treat last long. This means that your dog is going to be chewing the treat for hours. And because the dogs are going to be chewing this treat for hours, the absence of fillers such as wheat or corn is a huge plus.
The only negative thing that we can say about this treat is that these treats are made in Cambodia. It would have been nice to see them made in the US.
2. Cadet Gourmet Pressed Rawhide Dog Bone
The Cadet Gourmet Rawhide Dog Bone is one of the safest rawhide for dogs. It is nothing but rawhide, pressed into bone shapes.
Cadet Gourmet claims the bones last for a long while. In the case of small dogs, the claim holds. But a heavy chewer can chew through a bone in about two hours. Above all, the Cadet Gourmet Rawhide Dog Bone cleans your dog’s teeth. This is good since tartar buildup is a major oral health concern for dogs.
Finally, if you don’t mind the Cadet Gourmet Rawhide Dog Bones being made in China, then go for them. They are awesome.
3. Better Belly Chicken Liver Flavor Rawhide Roll Dog Treats
One of the issues of a rawhide is that they are generally not recommended for pups. Why? Well, a rawhide is not great when it comes to digestibility. Therefore, a young puppy will have trouble digesting a rawhide treat.
The Better Belly Chicken Liver Rawhide Dog Treats aims to solve this problem by upping the digestibility. These treats are two times more digestible than other rawhide treats.
Finally, the treats have no artificial flavors and colors. And the only bad thing is that they don’t last long. Oh, and they are also not made in the US.
4. Pet Magasin Natural Rawhide Chips Dog Treats
Chips are a universal favorite. And Pet Magasin Natural Rawhide Chips prove that. How? Because dogs can’t help devouring them.
The chips are made from beef hide. More importantly, they are made in the US. This is great news for anyone afraid of dog treats coming from China.
To top it all off, the Pet Magasin Natural Rawhide Chips don’t contain any preservatives or chemicals. All in all, Pet Magasin has a million-dollar chip on their hands.
5. PetAg Rawhide Brand Natural Beef Hides Chips Dog Treats
Here is another chip that needs your attention. The PetAg Rawhide Beef Chips are real beef hide, dried, and processed into chips without the use of any chemicals.
The absence of any chemicals means the chips are safe for your dog to chew. Couple to this the fact that the texture of the chips keeps your dog’s teeth clean and you can see why these chips are so popular.
The only con is that, once again, these chips don’t last long.
6. Buffalo Range All Natural Grain-Free Jerky Kabob Rawhide Dog Treats
Who doesn’t love kabobs? They are soft, juicy, and super delicious. So, it is only fair that our dogs have them too. Enter the Buffalo Range Jerky Kabob Rawhide Treats.
As the name suggests, these treats are shaped like kabobs. In reality, these rawhide treats are buffalo jerky with buffalo hide. And without getting into the nitty-gritty details, here is what you need to know: The manufacturer uses no chemicals or grains to make them. This means the treats are incredibly safe for your dog.
If only these lasted long, the Buffalo Range Jerky Kabob Rawhide Treats would have topped the charts.
7. Dingo Mini Bones Dog Treats
Mini treats in the shape of a bone, filled with chicken. Do we need to say anything else?
Well, we do. The treats are pork rawhide which makes them safe for a majority of dogs out there. Also, pork rawhide vs beef rawhide, there is no difference if the quality of the product is on par. So, the treats are quite safe.
Finally, the Dingo Mini Bones are free from any fillers or binders which means they are safe to eat. All in all, not many bones to pick here.
8. Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs Chicken
The whole point of the Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs is that your dog deserves better tasting treats. And we agree.
The Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Kabobs taste quite good thanks to chicken breast, duck meat, and liver wrapped in pork and beef hide. In short, this is a real gourmet treat.
Add it to the fact that these treats last quite a long time and you have one of the best rawhide dog treats on the market.
9. Raw Paws Compressed Rawhide Stick Dog Treats
Rawhide is an all-around great ingredient for making treats. But if the manufacturer doesn’t prepare the treat well, it doesn’t last very long. Thankfully, the Raw Paws Compressed Rawhide Stick Treats are prepared well and so they last a while.
The treats are layers of beef hide, pressed in the shape of sticks.
They are free from any fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavors. This means the sticks are plenty safe. All in all, a great treat from every angle.
10. Castor & Pollux Good Buddy USA 7″ Rawhide Braids Dog Treats
If you are in search of a rawhide treat that can survive an onslaught from a heavy chewer, look at the Castor & Pollux Rawhide Braids Treats.
The treats are pure beef hide. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers. All you get is beef hide dried and packed 7-inch thick. This goes a long way in ensuring the safety of the treats.
Long story short, Castor & Pollux have created something extra tough and extra special.
11. Pet Factory 100% American Chicken-Basted Beef Rawhide Bone
It is no secret that dogs love anything that is shaped like a bone. Be it a table leg or an actual bone, your dog will chew it. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, you should give your dog a bone, a rawhide bone.
The Pet Factory 100% American Beef Rawhide Bone is an all-beef affair with chicken flavoring. It is tasty, so your dogs will devour it.
Plus, the bone is tough on both the tartar and your dog’s ferocious chewing habit. So, not only will your dog’s teeth remain clean, but he will also be occupied for a long time to come. In short, this bone is a great investment.
12. Dog Rawhide Bones Bulk Pack of 3 Natural Rawhide Protein Treats Knot Bone Chews
Sometimes the best approach is to keep it simple. And this is exactly what we have with the last product on our list.
Here is the gist of it: Take a pure, raw beef hide with no chemicals and fillers, and tie into a knot.
That’s it. The perfect rawhide treat is also the simplest. The Dog Rawhide Bones from Dog Treat Outlet live up to the hype. And they will keep on living because they last quite a while. Summing it up, pretty good bang for your buck.
Are Rawhides Safe for My Dog?
Rawhides are safe for your dog provided they meet the following criteria:
- They are fresh and not rotting
- The color of the hide is intact and is not white. This means the hide hasn’t been bleached
- It is thick
- The hide has a meat-like smell. However, if the hide smells rotten or doesn’t smell at all, then it is not recommended
If a hide meets all of these qualities, then it is quite safe for your dog.
Best Alternatives to Rawhides
Rawhides may not be suitable for all dogs for a number of reasons. Some dogs are allergic to them. Some dogs don’t like the taste. And some dogs chew them to bits which makes them a choking hazard.
The following are some of the best alternatives to rawhides for dogs.
Frozen Marrow Bones
Marrow bones are the large bones in the hips. These bones are choke-full of marrow that contains healthy nutrients such as protein and calcium. You can give a couple of them every month to your dog.
Raw Bones
Raw bones are not only the favorite of Spike, raise your hand if you love Tom and Jerry, but the majority of dogs. They are tasty, sturdy, harmless, and a great workout for your dog’s teeth.
Hooves
Hooves are the swiss army knife of body parts. Animals use them to run around, kick, dig, and scratch. And when they are no longer able to, experts use hooves to make dog treats. And these are no ordinary treats.
Hooves have a texture that not only cleans the teeth but also massages the gums. And they taste good while doing it.
Edible Dental Chews
Edible Dental Chews are just that ‘dental chews that your dog can eat’. These chews come in a variety of shapes and footprints. So, you have the option of choosing a micro-size chew for your Chihuahua or a plus size treat for your Huskey.
Moreover, almost all dental chews are potato starch. Potato starch is a safe source of carbohydrates for your dog.
In short, they are pretty good.
Antlers
The whole purpose of antlers is to get stuck. Think about it. On a deer, antlers get stuck in vines and bushes. On an angry elk, antlers get stuck in another elk. And on the floor of your house, they get stuck in your dog’s mouth. And believe us, it is a good idea to let your dog stick antlers in his mouth.
They are tough. So, no matter how hard your dog chews he won’t be able to break them. This is also why you must never give antlers to young pups and senior dogs.
Tail Bones
Just like raw bones, tail bones also make pretty good chew toys for dogs. They come from a range of sources. Therefore, research on the type of protein beforehand.
Tail bones are super sturdy. So, once you get one, you won’t be buying a new one anytime soon.
Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are dried penis tendons. They are great treats and dogs, strangely, love them.
Get them from a reputable manufacturer and you won’t have to put up with the odor.
Ears
Dogs love chomping on them, and we love recommending them. They are chewy and tasty for your furry friend.
Rawhides for Dogs – FAQ
You don’t need us to tell you the number of options you have when it comes to rawhides. But what you do need are answers to questions that people ask around the internet.
Too many rawhides for dogs is never a good idea. And here is why:
Rawhides, in general, are a choking hazard. When you give your dog too much of it, the danger of your dog choking on rawhide increases.
Rawhides can be contaminated. Bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella are just some of the bacteria that can contaminate a rawhide.
Some dogs are allergic to rawhide treats. Just like any other food treat, rawhides can cause an allergic reaction in your dog.
In short, rawhides are best if given in moderation. Too many of these treats will only increase the safety risk. Therefore, use them sparingly.
The safest rawhide for dogs is a treat that is made purely of beef rawhide and nothing else. Chemicals like preservatives and artificial flavors can make any rawhide treat toxic. So, it is best to stay away from such treats.
You can give rawhide to puppies. However, you must keep in mind that:
– Young puppies don’t have fully developed teeth. Therefore, don’t give puppies younger than 6 months old any hard rawhide
– Puppies may have trouble digesting rawhides. Even an adult dog can’t digest a chunk of rawhide in one go. Puppies take even longer
– Rawhides pose the same safety risks to puppies as they do to dogs
For instance, puppies can have an allergic reaction to rawhide. They can also choke on a large piece of hide. The same goes for a bacterial infection. Long story short, puppies can have rawhide but only if the hide is designed for puppies. Also, it is always better to have someone supervising the puppy when he is chewing the treat.
The best alternatives to rawhide include:
– Raw bones: These are just plain, raw bones given fresh to the dog. So, your dog will chew on them and get a good dental exercise.
– Cow ears: You may not know it but cartilage from a cow ear makes a great treat. It is chewy, digestible, and lasts a while.
– Beef tendons: These are beef or lamb tendons that come in a variety of proteins and sizes.
– Bone marrow: Treats packed with bone marrow are a great source of calcium and protein. Plus, they are tasty, and dogs agree with this statement.
In short, there are endless varieties of rawhide alternatives out there. So, if your dog doesn’t like chewing on cow skin, you have no reason to sweat.
It is best to limit the amount of rawhide to one stick or treat per day. However, if the treats are small then giving two pieces is fine.
The reason why you shouldn’t overdo giving rawhide is that your dog’s stomach can’t handle much of it. Undigested rawhide will lead to gastric issues such as stomach ulcers and vomiting. Furthermore, rawhide is rich in calories. So, a closed-fist approach is necessary to keep your dog’s weight in check.
Rawhide treats are safe for adult dogs as well as pups. And if you supervise their use, these treats are natural, satisfy the instincts of a dog, and can go a long way in keeping the dental hygiene of your dog in check. So, long story short, if you are looking for a natural treat, rawhide treats like the Dog Rawhide Bones Bulk Pack is the way to go.