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Are beefhide bones safe for my dog to chew? What are the dangers?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chow Chow | Male | unneutered | 5 months and 29 days old | 40 lbs

Is beefhide bones good for dogs or bad

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on January 13th, 2018

Personally I have seen many dogs get sick from chewing on these. They can contain bacteria and some dogs chew them up too much and can get a stomach upset and diarrhea. I would give only dog biscuits or treats made in America in addition to his regular food. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Cooper.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 26th, 2017

    I'm personally not a fan of them because they can cause obstruction in the GI tract as well as cause a dog to choke due the risk of it getting caught in the esophagus. I don't recommend giving them to dogs, but if you want to give them to Parker, I would supervise him while he chews on them, and give him small bits of it at a time to prevent choking.

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Are beefhides and porkhides safe for dogs? My dad bought some for my dog and we haven't given him any yet, but I've heard mixed things about them.
I'm personally not a fan of them because they can cause obstruction in the GI tract as well as cause a dog to choke due the risk of it getting caught in the esophagus. I don't recommend giving them to dogs, but if you want to give them to Parker, I would supervise him while he chews on them, and give him small bits of it at a time to prevent choking.
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Hello, I've been seeeing a lot of media about how rawhide bones are bad for dogs. My puppy was given this bone and he loves it. The package says it was made in the USA. It is very hard, seems compacted. When he chews it, tiny particles come off. I am
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Raw hides are fine for dogs that can tolerate them, meaning no vomit or diarrhea. Also take it away when the bone is small enough that he could swallow a piece whole. Raw hides are very high calorie treats and should be given in moderation to prevent obesity. If Riley doesn’t get any tummy upset from the pictured raw hide I see no harm in continuing it. I hope the helps and have a great day!
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We have recently been involved in a conversation with friends who insist that rawhide as a dog chew is not advisable. What do you think is a proper chew for a (large) dog?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your question. There are many other better options out there for chew treats / toys. I've seen several intestinal obstructions occur with rawhide chews, so the risk is there. I would recommend something such as a bully stick, kong toy filled with peanut butter, etc. as a safer option. Please let me know if you have any further questions!
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Is it safe to give my dog bones to chew on?
No! Dogs should NEVER be given raw or cooked animal bones for several reasons. Raw bones run the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria, including Salmonella or Campylobacter, both to your dog and any exposed people. These bacteria can be transmitted through a dog’s stool and saliva. Bones can also pose hazards for foreign body obstruction in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Poultry bones are inherently filled with air and cooked bones become more brittle, both of which can splinter leading to perforation of the stomach or intestines. Bones and antlers are also quite hard and can lead to tooth fractures. Instead of offering bones, alternative products such as Nylabones, Kongs, or the dental treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (www.vohc.org) are safer and more effective alternatives for dogs that like to chew.
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What type of bones are recommended to keep dog's teeth healthy and clean? What are your thoughts on rawhide? My small dog will any brand bone without a problem but my big dog will swallow big pieces and ends up eating them in 3 seconds.
I don't recommend giving bones to dogs. They can break teeth when dogs chew on them, and if the dog swallows a big enough piece, it can cause a GI obstruction. I'm also not a fan of rawhide, and don't recommend them. If you want something to help with their teeth, I recommend dental chews. CET is a good brand of dental chews that are safe for them to chew on. You can also give them Hill's t/d as a treat. It's a dental food. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
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Hi. I give my dog bones sometimes from the store. The other day I saw something that said “rawhides” are bad for dogs. Some people said it sent their dog to the hospital!! What are some healthy bones I can give him that won’t cause blockage or health
This is indeed a true fact. Some raw hides have more of a tendency to cause intestinal blockages. A quick google search can help identify which ones to stay away from as you have already done. I would recommend the ones from your vet which are usually easily digestible. I really like the Virbac or CET dental chews personally and have never seen an issue with blockages from these. I hope this helps! Take care.
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What kind of chew bone can dogs eat that is safe for digesting example:Deer horns, Cow Horns, Pig Ears, or Rawhide.
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We just our new puppy (8 months old) Daisy yesterday, and she found one of our older dogs rawhides. Is it ok to let her chew on it? She really seems to like it.
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Can I give Charlie a real bone to chew? A friend of mine is a butcher and he offered to give me any bone I wanted. If possible, what would be best? Beef or pork bones?
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