Something to Chew On

Dogs like to chew. But, dog parents may be entering dangerous territory when choosing appropriate products. Some of the most popular chew items, like rawhide-type chews, hooves, snouts, vinyl dog toys and bones may be killing our dogs.

In 2005, a New York couple filed a $5 million lawsuit against the makers of Greenies – yes, those popular green toothbrush-shaped chews sold in pet stores and vet clinics nationwide.

According to the lawsuit, Burt, their beloved black and tan Dachshund, was given a petite-sized Greenie. The next day Burt, suddenly ill, was taken to a vet who suspected an intestinal blockage. The diagnosis was confirmed by X-Ray analysis, and Burt underwent emergency surgery. The surgeon removed what was described as a green and rubbery eraser-like object that was lodged in Burt’s small intestine. The lawsuit contends that the object was the "toothbrush" end of a chewed Greenie that had increased in size by approximately 25% while lodged in Burt’s body.

Over three feet of the 12-pound dog’s intestine had decayed and was surgically removed. Over the next 48 hours at the clinic, Burt suffered, bled internally, vomited blood and developed pneumonia and septicemia. He endured three cardiac failures before he died.

The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money. The original Greenies were phased out and "new" Greenies soon became available. New Greenies came about following S&M NuTec’s recent acquisition by Mars earlier this year. Billed as the "next generation in canine dental care," new Greenies claim to be 96% digestible.

Greenies, however, are not unique. Many more potentially dangerous chew products fill the shelves of pet stores – rawhides, pig ears, snouts, bully sticks, cow hooves, smoked bones, and more.

There is little regulation on dog chew products, but the Food and Drug Administration has issued nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of cases of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials.

The FDA warned that the products may pose a risk of bacterial infection such as Salmonella infantis which can cause flu-like symptoms in normally healthy people, but may cause far more serious – even life threatening illness in immune-compromised patients.

Additionally, many rawhide chews and related items are difficult to digest and some dogs swallow large chunks of hide that can lead to intestinal impactions. The harder type products, like hooves and bones have been reported to split, splinter or break and lead to damage in the digestive tract.

Rawhide is the processed skin of animals. Various techniques and chemicals are used in the preparation of these products along with similar versions of chew products such as smoked hooves, etc. Millions of these products are imported and it is physically impossible for the FDA to test all the products and the production methods utilized. Some techniques of hide tanning incorporate mercury and arsenic during the curing process. Distressingly, some chews do not even identify what kind of animal skin or bone was used to produce a chew treat.

Play it safe. Appropriately sized, hard rubber Kongs are the safest products available. They satisfy your dog’s chewing needs, and stuffed with your own foods can safely entertain your dog for hours.