Rawhide Can Prove to be Dangerous for Dog Health, Research Shows

Fort Lauderdale, Florida: WyldLife Pets, a company that provides natural bully sticks and beef tendons for pets, has released new information regarding the dangers associated with consuming rawhide for pet dogs.

According to Colin Campbell, a spokesperson for the company, "Rawhide is often promoted as a great way of helping pet dogs deal with their teething problems by chewing on a natural product. However, unlike bully sticks for dogs, rawhide can contain a number of things that are harmful to a dog's health."

Dogs tend to prefer foods with certain amino acids that are present in sweet tasting products which is why popular rawhide brands sell flavors such as bubblegum and hickory. However, in a bid to create these unique flavors, manufacturers are including substances in their dog treats that are toxic to the health of dogs.

For bubble gum, the creators of rawhide use the carcinogen FD&C Red 40 along with preservatives like sodium benzoate, both of which can be extremely dangerous to a canine’s health. The process of procuring rawhide is also suspect. Since rawhide is a by-product of the process of procuring leather from cowhide, it is exposed to chemicals such as sodium sulfide liming that are used to remove hair from the skin of the cow.

Other poisonous substances that can be found in rawhide includes arsenic and formaldehyde. An exposure to these chemicals over a long period of time can cause problems such as stomach torsion, choking, vomiting, diarrhea, and salmonella poisoning among others.

A healthier option for pet owners would be bully sticks, which are natural products that can keep your dog both happy as well as safe. Bully sticks are healthy for dogs as they are only made of high-protein beef muscle. Beef is a complete source of amino acids that are integral to the healthy growth of a dog's muscles, brain, skin, and coat.

They are a natural dog chew option, as they are free from artificial chemicals, additives, and preservatives and thus can protect dogs from developing an allergic reaction or unwanted side effects. Furthermore, bully sticks are great for maintaining a dogs' dental hygiene. To check out WyldLife Pet’s line of bully sticks and beef tendons, visit their official Amazon storefront.