Why is rawhide bad for dogs?

Rawhide chews are a common go-to for people who want to help a dog clean teeth, burn off energy, or feel rewarded, but knowing the risks and safer options matters for any dog lover who wants to keep a pet healthy and out of the emergency room.

Why rawhide should concern every dog owner

Many owners reach for rawhide because it looks natural, is inexpensive, and seems to satisfy a dog’s instinct to chew. People often offer rawhide for dental care, to reduce boredom, or as a long-lasting reward during periods when supervision is limited. Puppies, highly motivated chewers, and small-breed dogs are the most common recipients; I typically see rawhide problems in power chewers and in households where a single chew is left out for long stretches. The goal for most owners is simple: provide something pleasurable that helps teeth and mental stimulation without introducing avoidable safety or long-term health problems.

Is rawhide harmful? The short verdict

Rawhide is not categorically “bad,” but it is sometimes risky depending on the product and the dog. The main hazards are that pieces can break off and cause choking or intestinal obstruction, rawhide can be contaminated with bacteria or chemical residues from processing, and overly hard pieces can damage teeth. For many dogs, safer alternatives will meet the same needs with less chance of harm, so choosing those options often makes sense.

How rawhide interacts with digestion, teeth and overall health

Chewing is a mechanical process: dogs grasp, tear, and grind a chew with incisors and premolars while saliva softens the material. Rawhide is composed mostly of collagen from animal hides; while some breakdown occurs in the mouth, the canine stomach and small intestine are not well equipped to dissolve large amounts of processed collagen rapidly. When a dog rips off a large or jagged fragment, that piece may travel down the esophagus but then get stuck at narrow points in the stomach or intestine. Even if a piece passes, sharp or stiff edges can irritate or perforate the intestinal wall.

Processing matters. Rawhide is often treated with bleaching agents, tanning chemicals, or flavoring additives; residues may remain and could irritate the gastrointestinal tract or alter gut bacteria. In addition, rawhide production and storage occasionally result in bacterial contamination (for example with Salmonella), which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or systemic illness in dogs and be a zoonotic risk for people handling the chews.

When rawhide becomes high-risk: age, size and breed factors

The chance of a problem rises when the chew and the chewer are a poor match. Dogs that tackle chews aggressively—power chewers—are most likely to fragment rawhide into pieces that can be swallowed whole. Young puppies often swallow larger pieces because they are still learning bite inhibition and may not wait for chewing to soften a chew; older dogs with dental disease may crack teeth on very hard rawhides or inefficiently chew, increasing the risk of swallowing large fragments. Size and form matter: small rolls or thin strips for a large, aggressive dog are a bad fit, and brittle or overly softened rawhide tends to crumble. Leaving rawhide unsupervised for long periods or soaking it (which can change texture unpredictably) also increases the likelihood of a hazardous fragment being produced.

Warning signs to watch after rawhide chewing

Recognize these signs as prompts to act quickly; they may suggest airway compromise, partial or complete intestinal obstruction, or systemic illness. Watch especially for:

• Acute choking, intense gagging, or respiratory distress—signs a piece may be lodged in the throat or windpipe.
• Repeated vomiting, retching, or an inability to keep food or water down—these may indicate an obstruction in the stomach or proximal intestine.
• Abdominal pain, distention or bloating, reduced or absent stool production—possible signs of partial or complete intestinal blockage.
• Lethargy, collapse, or bloody stools—these may reflect severe compromise, perforation, or secondary infection and should be treated as an emergency.

If something goes wrong: immediate steps to protect your dog

Act calmly but promptly. First, remove any remaining rawhide and secure the dog so it cannot swallow more pieces; put the chew away from other pets and small children. If the dog is actively choking and you can safely reach into its mouth to remove an obvious object, do so carefully; avoid pushing the object farther back. Assess breathing, airway patency, and consciousness—if the dog is struggling to breathe or becomes unconscious, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Contact a veterinarian, emergency clinic, or your regional veterinary poison control hotline straight away. Describe what the dog ate (type, size, amount), the dog’s weight, and current signs. Follow professional instructions; many instances will prompt an immediate veterinary assessment with imaging (x-rays or ultrasound) to look for a foreign body, plus observation and supportive care. If an obstruction is suspected or confirmed, the likely options range from hospital monitoring to endoscopic removal to surgical intervention, depending on the size, location, and condition of the swallowed material.

Preventing problems: handling, training and safer chewing habits

Prevention combines careful product selection, supervision, and basic training. Supervise any rawhide session and set a time limit—if your dog hasn’t finished a chew within a specific window, remove it. Teach reliable cues such as “drop it” and “leave it,” rewarding compliance with smaller, safe treats; these commands let you control access to a chew before a dangerous fragment appears. Match the chew to the dog: choose a size and density appropriate for your pet’s jaw strength, and avoid thin strips for big dogs. Consider reducing rawhide frequency and rotating to lower-risk enrichment items so the dog isn’t consuming the same processed product repeatedly.

Safer chew options and gear that reduce risk

There are many lower-risk options that still satisfy chewing needs and can support dental health without the same obstruction risks rawhide carries. Good choices include:

• Durable rubber toys and treat-dispensing devices (Kong-style) that can be filled with food or pastes and are designed to resist shattering.
• Dental chews that carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal or those recommended by your veterinarian; these are formulated to reduce tartar and are not meant to be shredded into dangerous fragments.
• High-quality, non-brittle synthetic chews sized appropriately for the dog; choose products labeled for power chewers if that describes your pet.
• Puzzle feeders and slow-feeding toys to slow ingestion and provide mental stimulation without heavy reliance on chew items that fragment.

What veterinarians and animal experts advise

When in doubt, seek guidance from clinical professionals who manage these issues every day. Your general practice veterinarian is a starting point for assessing risk, diagnosing a swallowed object, and advising on safe chews. Emergency veterinarians and surgical specialists handle obstructions and can explain when surgery is necessary. For chronic chewing and enrichment plans, veterinary behaviorists or certified trainers can recommend alternatives and teach reliable impulse-control cues. Veterinary dentists and internal medicine specialists may be helpful when dental damage or repeated GI issues are being evaluated. Finally, regional or national veterinary poison control lines provide immediate phone guidance for ingestion events.

Research, studies and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Foreign Bodies in the Digestive Tract — Dogs and Cats” (MerckVetManual.com)
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration: “Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts — Animal & Veterinary” (fda.gov/animal-veterinary)
• American Veterinary Medical Association: “Pet Food and Treat Safety” and related consumer guidance (avma.org)
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: “Rawhide and Dog Chews: Risks and Alternatives” (vet.cornell.edu)
• UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: “Safe Chewing: Dental Health and Chews for Dogs” (vetmed.ucdavis.edu)
• Journal of Small Animal Practice: retrospective studies on gastrointestinal foreign bodies and chew-related injuries (example: studies on clinical management of intestinal obstructions)