RAWHIDE 101 What is Rawhide? What is Rawhide made from? Why is Rawhide so tough? What do I need to know about basted rawhide? Are basted items non-staining? MY DOG AND RAWHIDE CHEWS Will my dog chew such a hard rawhide? How can chews help my dog? How often should I feed chews? Which size and shapes should I choose? Which dogs should not have chews? DINGO BRAND 101 What makes Dingo Brand rawhide chews different? How do I go about choosing the right Dingo product for my dog? MISCELLANOUS HELP I still have an unanswered question?

What is Rawhide?

Rawhide is the hide or skin (typically the inner layer of the hide or skin) of an animal.  The hide grows naturally thicker or thinner in different places on the animal, so the hide is sent through a planer that splits the hide.  The tough outer layer of constant thickness goes on to be used as leather in upholstery, shoes and clothing, and the softer inner layer of variable thickness goes to the making of dog chews.

What is Rawhide made from?

The animal's skin is split into inner and outer layers. The tough outer layer is used for leather shoes, garments, and upholstery, while the softer inner layer is cut and formed into different shapes for dog chews.

What makes Rawhide so tough?

Collagen fibers link to make the animal's hide tough yet flexible. Human skin has the same basic structure but is much thinner.

What do I need to know about basted rawhide?

Basting ingredients are procured from flavor producing companies that cater to the food industry. Foreign imported rawhide must use U.S. made basting products or U.S. approved basted products.

Are basted items non-staining?

Some basted rawhide claims to be non-staining. Generally, the food colors used are water-soluble and once wet can run and will most likely stain.

Will my dog chew such a hard rawhide?

When collagen in the skin dries out, it becomes stiff. As your dog chews, the saliva moistens and softens the rawhide. Smooth shiny areas on a chew are a sign of heat breakdown indicating an extremely hard area that the dog may not be able to soften.

How can chews help my dog?

Natural tendencies of wild canines and their predecessors were to sink their teeth into their prey and pull away on the hides stripping the skin and meat. Inherent in this feeding process was the beneficial action of the tugging and pressure on the teeth and gums that served to toughen the gums and clean the teeth for a continuously healthy mouth. Chews offer two valuable benefits to your dog.

Dental Benefits

Because dogs have been domesticated by man, they no longer user their teeth to tear through a skin layer in order to feed. As a result, their canine teeth become disused and prone to plaque buildup and yellowing. Infections, kidney and heart disease can result when poor dental health gives bacteria an environment to enter your dog's body. Bacteria in the dog's mouth breaks down food particles and converts them to plaque and excess acid. The plaque can become mineralized to form a hard deposit on the tooth surface called "calculus." The excess acid damages the gums resulting in gingivitis. Unchecked gingivitis results in periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss. As rawhide is chewed and moistened, it acts like a leather chamois, wraps around the teeth and gently rubs off plaque and calculi. Care should be taken when feeding real bones that are potentially abrasive on teeth and gums and may cause digestive problems. To avoid periodontal disease, rawhide should be used in conjunction with regular brushing.

Behavior Benefits

All dogs have an inherent desire to chew, especially puppies. Aberrant chewing can be a sign of lack of exercise or a vitamin deficiency, but it is most often a normal desire to chew and relieve boredom. This drive can exhibit itself on furniture and clothing items. Beef-hide offers a dog a safe chewing outlet. An effective rawhide chew should be able to relieve boredom for many hours. Care should be taken to remove rawhide once your dog has chewed it to the point of becoming soft. Allow the softened rawhide to harden before reintroducing it to your dog.

How often should I feed chews?

Rawhide is not a food, but a safe chewable toy that can be, and most often is, consumed. It is 80-85% protein, 10-12% fiber and moisture, and 1-2% fat. Rawhide is also high in protein, low in fat, especially compared to pig ears and other pork skin products, and has fewer calories per ounce than a typical dog biscuit. One or two hours of daily chewing is sufficient. You should always make water available during and after the chewing activity.  

Which size and shape should I chose?

Fortunately, chews come in every size and shape imaginable. It is important that the chew be large enough and thick enough that your dog cannot easily chew off and swallow either a large piece or the whole chew. A good rule of thumb is that the chew should be about two times the size of the dog's mouth. Rawhide that requires more than 7 days to chew should be replaced, due to dirt and bacteria buildup.

Which dogs should not have chews?

If your dog has gastrointestinal disease or is eating a therapeutic diet, you should seek a veterinarian's approval before feeding any chews. Dogs with beef allergies or that consistently swallow bones whole should probably not receive chews unattended.

What make Dingo Brand rawhide chews different?

Dingo rawhide chews are the only chew products with a patented real meal treat in the middle. Tasty rawhide on the outside is wrapped around tasty meat jerky on the inside. Dingo chews are clear basted with the flavor dogs love without the food dyes found in some other basted products, which can also stain carpets. Dingo Brand has worked closely with the USDA Veterinary Dept. in establishing stringent manufacturing and sterilization standards such that no other rawhide product receives the amount of sterilizing heat treatment as Dingo Brand products. In addition, the product is skinned to protect it from further handling. Finally, all products go through extensive kennel and pet homeowner testing to ensure that all Dingo Brand products deliver the most delicious rawhide chew your dog will ever have.

How do I go about choosing the right Dingo product for my dog?

When choosing a rawhide product for your dog, safety is the first priority. Always choose rawhides which are larger than your dog's mouth. It is important that the chew be large enough and thick enough that your dog cannot easily chew off and swallow a large piece or the whole chew.

Compressed or molded rawhides are the hardest rawhide available. These rawhides tend to last longer and are a better choice for the hardest chewing dogs.

Keep an eye on your dog while chewing and discard any small rawhide pieces that might break off.  

I still have an unanswered question?

Please contact us at custservice@dingobrand.com or 1-888-740-BONE (1-888-740-2663). Dingo will be happy to answer your question.