I don't think rawhide in small amounts is harmful. At least I think it shouldn't be since so much is sold, but that's another story.

Our worry has been about too much at one time. We've used "Pork Earz", which are made from pork skins (just like we eat), or "Better than Ears". Both of these and most other pork versus hide chews are more easily digested than rawhide, and are also flavored. The only drawback seems to be that they're a bit more expensive than rawhide.

mattreney--I've never heard or read that rawhide makes a dog aggressive.

I do know if your a dog acts aggressive when you try to take away the rawhide then that's an aggression/dominance problem with your dog (and something that can be fixed via proper training) not the fault of the rawhide. -D

i've heard there are flavored sprays that make a Nylabone more appetizing. either way, better a rawhide than my favorite shoes!

Sometimes we take our golden to the beach with us where she has to spend lots of time in a kennel out back since she's not allowed in the house (orders from The Management). So she won't be bored, I like to throw in something for her to chew. The problem with the rawhide is that the ants like it better than the dog! So in these instances, I go for the hardest nylabone I can find - which also happens to be meat-scented. She will chew for hours without getting bored. When at home, however (and in addition to the nylabone), I choose the real bone over the rawhide, mostly because I am also afraid of all the things you mention about choking, digestion, etc. Rawhides seem to be devoured way too quickly and then she loses her appetite and seems to have a stomach ache for awhile. All in all, if it's something she can "eat", I don't like it. I would rather keep her on a normal diet and let her chew nylabone. But have you tried squeaky toys? For some reason, she never rips these apart like she does the rawhide, bones and rubber balls, even though she plays with them for hours and carries them around! It's definitely her favorite chew toy.

I had a vet almost smack me once for admitting I fed my dog rawhide. He showed me X-rays of dogs who had to have surgery to remove it and two dogs it killed. He was to say the least very against it. It made me quit using it but I have seen lots of dogs that have them all the time. I just can't bring myself to take the chance with my gun dog. Too much time, money and training go into them not to mention I love them like crazy LOL. I got a rubber Kong toy for my last dog and the vet advised I fill it with peanut butter that way they got a good chew that wasn't going too hurt them (kong toys seem indestructible) but the peanut butter was a treat. I also use greenies for their teeth.

I would never give my dogs rawhides. I have heard from vets and others that they do not digest and they can block intestines etc.

Stick with the nylobone or kong. I would not risk it.

My guy loves rawhide bones, but they inevitably cause him to "strain at the stool" as undigested pieces struggle to emerge! I can see why Vets don't care for the stuff at all. We always bought American but have pretty much stopped altogether now. We have Nylabones and a Kong but they draw limited interest. He will lick the peanut butter out of the Kong, but not really chew it. We've had various rubber/plastic toys but they last about 2 minutes...but at least he is good about not eating pieces.

So what does he chew? After I eat a yogurt I give him the plastic cup. He loves to lick out the remaining yogurt and then chew the plastic cup to pieces. The plastic edges massage and stimulate his gums, occasionally drawing just a bit of blood. Of course I would never give this to a dog that actually eats the plastic pieces...for some reason he never does. Yoplait is our brand!

I don't buy rawhide. I stick with bones such as ham, beef ribs, femur bones etc (US Made) or so they say.

I also try to avoid small sized bones.

Bull stix never heard of em but woulden't buy em even if I had.

I have had bad luck with rawhides as well.. Dog would not digest properly and either be backed up or get the runs. After this we have relied on the Nylabone as well as the Kong. The Kong works especially well because you can stick a treat in there and it will take the dog a while to get it out; but he sure wont give up! Keeps him busy.

I give my dogs the large knoted ropes, they'r advertised as floss for your dog. My dogs also enjoy kongs and fetching large monkey fist knots. I once gave my sons pickapoo a pork rib to chew on and after three bites, she tried and almost succeded in swallowing the thing. There was just enough to grip with my fingers to extract the thing. Had I left she would of choked on the bone. Bones? not for my dogs ever again.