Why Stores Still Sell Rawhide Dog Chews

By Marvin Willis

A rawhide chew can look like a simple kindness: something to keep a dog happy while the family goes about its day. But warnings about choking and intestinal blockages raise a reasonable question for Hill Country pet owners. If these chews can be dangerous, why are they still on store shelves?

The answer is that rawhide remains a popular, long-lasting chew, and its risks vary with the product and the dog using it. Some dogs slowly work through a chew; others rip off and swallow substantial pieces. Veterinary guidance recognizes that difference. Availability, however, should never be mistaken for a recommendation for your particular dog. ¹

There is also a difference between a product being sold and receiving individual government approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains that animal food generally does not require its review before sale, although some ingredients require separate approval. Manufacturers still must meet requirements for safety, sanitary production, freedom from harmful substances and truthful labeling. Those requirements do not mean every chew has been individually tested and approved by FDA. ²

For shoppers, the practical lesson is to look beyond the packaging and consider how their own dog chews.

Rawhide is made from animal hide, often cattle hide, shaped into rolls, twists or familiar knotted forms. Its durability is part of its appeal. But traditional rawhide does not break down as readily as ordinary food, making swallowed chunks a particular concern. ³

“The two main concerns with rawhide are potential for choking or intestinal tract blockage, and contamination with chemicals or bacteria,” veterinarian Dr. Sarah Nold says in guidance published by Trupanion. ³

These are different dangers. A piece can interfere with breathing or become lodged in the digestive tract. An intestinal obstruction can require surgery and may become life-threatening. A chew that keeps a dog occupied is useful only if that dog can use it without tearing off and swallowing dangerous pieces. ^9,10

Texas A&M veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller addresses that concern in the university’s published Pet Talk guidance: “It is also important to pick a rawhide chew that is the right size and shape for your dog to minimize these risks.” ⁴

Teller also recommends separating dogs when offering chew treats. Competition can encourage an animal to gulp a treat before another dog takes it. That is a practical reminder that safety depends on the setting as well as the label. ⁴

Contamination concerns have a documented basis, too. In June 2017, United Pet Group announced a recall of several rawhide brands after identifying the use of a cleaning-related chemical that was not approved in the United States as a processing aid for these chews. FDA’s archived notice says that recall has been completed. It is evidence of a specific manufacturing problem, rather than proof that every rawhide product currently sold is contaminated. ⁵

For owners deciding what to buy today, a dog’s chewing behavior deserves close attention. Does the dog patiently gnaw, or try to gulp? Can it quickly tear off large pieces? The American Kennel Club advises avoiding rawhide when a powerful chewer can easily break it into substantial chunks. The ASPCA recommends matching chews to the animal’s size and habits and actively watching while the dog chews. ^1,6

Owners should remove loose chunks and take away a chew once it becomes small enough to swallow whole. Supervision means watching what the dog is doing, with an opportunity to intervene. A chew should not simply be handed over and forgotten. ^1,6

Choosing an alternative requires care as well. Bones, antlers, hooves and extremely hard manufactured toys can damage teeth. Rubber toys can also create trouble if a dog tears them apart and swallows the pieces. A different material does not remove the need for an appropriate size and careful observation. ^4,8

“The challenge is to find items that do not pose a risk to their health,” veterinarian Dr. Brian Collins explains in guidance published by Cornell University. Collins recommends chew toys that can bend and be indented with a fingernail, along with supervision because dogs handle objects differently. ⁷

For dental care, Cornell recommends toothbrushing as the most effective home approach and points owners to the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s list of accepted dental products. Ask your veterinarian which chew, if any, suits your dog’s teeth, medical history and chewing habits. Dental benefits should be weighed alongside swallowing and tooth-injury risks. ⁸

If a dog swallows a substantial piece of chew material, contact a veterinarian promptly. Vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or unusual lethargy can accompany a digestive obstruction and warrant urgent veterinary advice. A dog that is choking needs immediate emergency veterinary care. ^6,9,10

Hill Country retailers can help customers by explaining sizing, supervision and when to discard a chew. Offering alternatives and encouraging veterinary advice would give shoppers useful information at the moment they need it. That is a reasonable expectation for businesses selling products intended for our pets.

Pet owners do not need to accept frightening claims about every product, and they should not dismiss documented risks. Before buying another rawhide chew, ask whether it fits the dog that will actually use it. Our dogs depend on us to make that decision with their safety in mind.

Sources

Published veterinary guidance and regulatory information

Sources accessed October 10 2026

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