Unpacking the Risks in Common Dog Treats
It’s not about causing alarm, but about being informed. Understanding the potential issues with certain treats allows you to make the best and safest choices for your furry family member. Let’s break down some of the most common treats that require a second look.
1. Rawhide Chews
Rawhide is perhaps one of the most classic dog chews available. It’s cheap, long-lasting, and satisfies a dog’s natural urge to chew. However, the way it’s made and the physical nature of the product can pose significant problems.
Manufacturing Concerns: Rawhide is the inner layer of a cow or horse’s hide. To make it into the final product, the hide is often treated with a variety of chemicals to clean it and strip away hair and fat. These can include chemical washes and preservatives. While manufacturers state these are rinsed away, trace amounts can remain.
Digestive Blockage: As your dog chews, the rawhide becomes soft and gummy. Dogs can tear off large, sticky pieces and swallow them. These pieces can swell in the stomach or get lodged in the digestive tract, creating a dangerous and potentially fatal blockage that requires emergency surgery.
Choking Hazard: A large, softened piece of rawhide can easily become a choking hazard, getting stuck in your dog’s esophagus.
Safer Alternatives: Consider bully sticks (from a reputable source), beef tendons, or durable rubber chew toys like a Kong, which can be stuffed with safe foods like peanut butter or plain yogurt.
2. Cooked Bones
It seems natural to give a dog a bone, but the type of bone matters immensely. The leftover T-bone from your steak or the cooked chicken bones from dinner are extremely dangerous for dogs.
Splintering Risk: The cooking process dries out the bone, making it brittle. When a dog chews on a cooked bone, it can easily splinter into sharp, needle-like shards.
Internal Damage: These sharp fragments can cause serious injury as they travel through the digestive system. They can puncture the tongue, gums, throat, stomach, and intestines. This can lead to severe pain, internal bleeding, and life-threatening infections.
Safer Alternatives: If you want to give your dog a bone, choose a raw, edible bone appropriate for their size. These are softer and less likely to splinter. Always supervise your dog closely when they are chewing any type of bone and discard it once it becomes small enough to be swallowed.
3. Pig Ears and Other Animal Parts
Pig ears, cow hooves, and other animal-part chews are popular because they are highly palatable for dogs. While they can be a good chew, they come with their own set of warnings.
Bacterial Contamination: Because these are animal products, they can be contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. This not only poses a risk to your dog but also to the humans in the household who handle the treats. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching them.
High Fat Content: Many of these treats, especially pig ears, are very high in fat. For some dogs, particularly smaller breeds or those prone to digestive issues, a high-fat treat can trigger a painful and serious condition called pancreatitis.
Broken Teeth: Hard chews like cow hooves can be too tough for a dog’s teeth, leading to painful fractures that may require expensive dental work.
Safer Alternatives: Dehydrated single-ingredient chews like sweet potato slices or fish skins can be a great option. Look for jerky treats made from a single protein source, like chicken or beef, from a reputable company.
4. Certain Jerky Treats
Jerky treats are a favorite for many dogs. However, the market has a history of issues that every pet owner should know about. For years, the FDA investigated reports of illnesses in pets linked to jerky treats, particularly those sourced from China.
Ingredient Sourcing: The primary concern has been with treats made with ingredients sourced from countries with less stringent food safety regulations. These have been linked to thousands of cases of kidney problems, including a specific condition called Fanconi syndrome.
Additives and Preservatives: To keep jerky shelf-stable, some brands use chemical preservatives or additives that can be harmful over time.
How to Choose Safely: Always check the packaging. Look for jerky treats that are made and sourced in your own country (e.g., “Made and Sourced in the USA”). The ingredient list should be simple and recognizable, ideally just one or two ingredients like “chicken” or “beef liver.”
5. Treats with Harmful Additives
Sometimes the danger isn’t the main ingredient but the things added to it. Always scan the ingredient list for these red flags:
Artificial Colors: Dyes like Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 & 6 are added purely for human appeal; your dog doesn’t care what color their treat is. These dyes have been linked to health issues in some studies.
Chemical Preservatives: BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are chemical preservatives used to extend shelf life. They are controversial and have been flagged as potential carcinogens. Natural preservatives like tocopherols (vitamin E) are a much safer choice.
Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It is often found in “sugar-free” products. While less common in treats specifically for dogs, it can be in products like peanut butter, so always check the label before sharing.
Excessive Fillers: Ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy are often used as cheap fillers. While not toxic, they are common allergens for many dogs and offer little nutritional value.
General Rules for Treat Safety
You can protect your pet by adopting a few simple habits:
Read the Label: The ingredient list is your best friend. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, or if the list is full of chemicals and fillers, choose another product.
Supervise Your Dog: Never leave your dog unattended with a new chew or treat, especially a long-lasting one.
Follow the 10% Rule: Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake to prevent weight gain and nutritional imbalances.
Choose the Right Size: A treat that is too small can be a choking hazard. A treat that is too large or hard can damage teeth. Select treats appropriate for your dog’s size and chew strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about dental chews? Are they safe? Many dental chews are designed to be safe and effective at reducing plaque and tartar. Look for products that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance. This means they have been proven to meet standards for effectiveness. However, just like any treat, make sure you choose the right size for your dog and supervise them while they chew.
Is it safe to give my dog table scraps? It’s generally best to avoid it. Many human foods are too rich, fatty, or salty for dogs. More importantly, some common foods are toxic to dogs, including grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, and anything containing the sweetener xylitol. Sticking to treats formulated for dogs is the safest bet.