Dogs and rawhide bones

[ernstbass]

I was at my vet's office yesterday when a family ran in with a Westie that was choking on a peice of rawhide. The little dog didn't make it.It was very upsetting to witness this and the family was beside themselves with grief. So just a reminder NOT to use rawhide as a play toy or treat. And be sure to give your pets a kiss today!

[luzdeluna]

1. I have heard so many horror stories...

I never let my dog near them.

A few years ago my friend gave her Briard a large braided chew bone. She always made sure to be there until he finished them due to choking stories. This time about an hour after he had eaten it he began to get sick and almost choked to death as it came back up. It's lucky she was home.

There are so many better things to keep them busy...peanut butter in a kong, Greenies.

That said, one of my clients (a rottie/chow mix) recently took an unopened can of chicken soup off the counter and chewed it up like bubblegum. She spit out a spiky ball of metal without cutting her mouth or doing internal damage.

I guess they can get into enough trouble on their own without us helping them out.

ldl

[SiouxJ]

2. Beware of tennis balls too

I have a friend who's Border Collie almost died because he ate part of a tennis ball and it got stuck in his digestive system. They had to cut him open (the entire length of his stomach) to get it out. Luckily he survived. After hearing that I won't allow mine to have tennis balls and only let them play with plastic balls. Mine don't ever swallow the plastic pieces when they chew up a ball. They spit them out. My last dog used to eat the plastic but it was always tiny pieces and they passed through him. He lived to be 18, so I don't worry about plastic balls with my new dogs.

I guess if your dog is prone to eating things, you have to be careful what you let them have. Greenies, corn starch bones and Nylabones are the only things I deliberately give to my dogs to chew on.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Never Never Never. There are so many other things that they can chew

HAVABALL..
This is the best. It comes in all sizes. Can be ordered from various places.
www.carealotpets.com seems to be the cheapest. (but does not have the extra tough)

http://www.lucy-the-dog.com/havaball.html (to order the extra tough)