Raw Bones Versus Rawhide and Other Dental Treats… So What’s All The Hype About?
Diana S. Bokhari
Ah yes, so much to choose from, so little time! We love our dogs and cats, but as consumers we are bombarded with information from pet food companies about what treats and pet foods are best for our little carnivores. Pet shops are loaded with rawhide chew treats along with pigs’ ears, plastic toys, cookies and other similar products that claim to clean our pets’ teeth, massage their gums and offer them hours of a fun chewing experience. As easy as it is for one to feel like a kid in a candy shop, we must stop and ask ourselves are these products actually good and safe for our beloved pets. Where do they come from? How are they made? What preservatives are used? Beautiful packaging and attractive prices are very hard to ignore, but what are the consequences for the health of our animals? Here is some information that can help you make the right choices…straight from the cow’s hide!
All of these treats, and many others including chews and cookies that claim to be healthy for your pets, may not be exactly what they claim to be; they are mostly by-products and waste materials of the human food industry, often preserved by toxic chemicals including BHT, BHA, formaldehyde, and ethoxiquin all of which can cause cancer. Along with processed commercial pet foods, these actually help to erode dogs’ and cats’ teeth, infecting their gums with tartar causing bacteria which also effects other organs in the body including the heart, liver and particularly kidneys. Furthermore, rawhide especially can be dangerous as it can cause choking when not thoroughly chewed.
Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a world-renowned Australian veterinarian, writes about pet food manufacturers in his book Give Your Dog A Bone, “What they will claim is that their product contains certain nutrients which meet its legal obligations. In their advertisements, they allow dog owners to make claims about the product for them, or they refer to some aspect of the product which people assume is associated with good nutrition and good health. All this is done in such a way that people make favorable assumptions about the product which are not necessarily true…Unfortunately, they have even conned people who claim be vets into endorsing these products.”
On October 1, 1999 the FDA issued the following Nationwide Public Health Advisory (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00692.html) : “The Food and Drug Administration today issued a nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of recent cases in Canada of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials (e.g., pigs ears, beef jerky treats, smoked hooves, pigs skins, etc.)… These products may pose a risk of bacterial infection such as Salmonella infantis which can cause flu-like symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea) in normally healthy people, but may cause far more serious - even life-threatening injury in immune-compromised patients… FDA is urging pet owners who have these products to handle them carefully. Anyone who comes in contact with these treats should wash their hands with hot water and soap. Elderly people, young children, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from exposure and should avoid any contact with these chews… Initial reports of illnesses came from Canada and involved Canadian products, but subsequent examination of similar products produced in the U.S. indicate that all pet chew products of this type may pose a risk.” Scary isn’t it?
Not only do these products poison our pets, erode their teeth, gums and intestines, but they pose clear and present danger to humans as well. Enough said.
With all the designer foods and pet treats available on the market today, veterinary dentistry is on the rise; “In the United States, where 90% of dogs eat processed foods, more than a third of the income of veterinary profession is derived from dentistry in pet animals. By the time many modern dogs are 5 years old, their teeth are covered with thick crust of tartar… The bottom line is, the combination of no bones and commercial dog foods is devastating to the health of all pet dogs because of its effect on dental health. Dr. Ian Billinghurst, B.V.Sc.(Hons), B.Sc.Agr., Dip. Ed.”
For thousands of years, wild, and then domesticated dogs and cats, have chewed raw bones which are a vital part of their diet. Bones are made of living tissue which contains essential nutrients including protein, fats, antioxidants and enzymes. They help stimulate immunity and mental well-being, as well as clean teeth, massage gums, and exercise and strengthen jaw and neck muscles. Bones are, essentially, one of the most complete vitamin and mineral supplements that you can give your pets, minus some of the B vitamins and methionine (an amino acid). But are they safe? Yes, bones are safe when given raw, and it is preferable to avoid fish bones. Raw bones do not break or splinter as cooked bones do, and cooked bones are unnatural to dogs (and cats!).
Countless people come to me with questions about raw bones and meat for their pets. Although many are skeptical at first, the results are undeniable when their pets begin to thrive on these foods and natural treats. As unnatural as it is for humans to eat raw meat and bones, it is equally unnatural for dogs and cats to eat cooked and processed foods and treats, full of chemical preservatives. Choose to do your research thoroughly, it will make all the difference for your pets’ health.
-Diana S. Bokhari is the founder of Quebec’s original holistic pet center for animal wellness, and has established a network for Canada’s leaders in complementary health care for domestic pets. She can be consulted at diana@naturalanimal.ca.