What is your opinion on allowing dogs to chew on Raw hide bones etc.?

As a rule, I do not feed raw hide.

Yes, a raw bone is a much better option.

Dogs can tear off pieces of rawhide and swallow them. They then swell possibly blocking the dog's air way or intestine. Watch the dog? Are you ready for this, http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/images/heimlich.jpg Ask you vet what he charges to open up a dog and remove a piece of rawhide.

Real bones? http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Cons.../ucm208365....

Stick to sturdy stuff including Nylabones and Kongs. Many dogs aren't interested in a slick, new Nylabone. I think they are putting the nubby texture on more of them now. I think it is part of the reason so many dogs like the hard to find dinosaur ones. The ultimate is the Souper Size Galileo Nylabone. It is about 7 inches long and 3 inches around. It has the slick surface. They are more attractive if you rough up the surface with sand paper or by rubbing it on a concrete floor. Another technique is to jam a Nylabone into a Kong creating what I call a twofer. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

i do not like rawhides or fake chewy things of all kinds ... if i want my dog to have a chew, i head down to the butcher and get her a nice juicy bone and leave her on the patio chewing in the sun for hours ... i have never had issues with her chewing raw bones, but rawhides and those bull penis chews and pigs ears, she gets to a big slimy chunk at the end and swallows whole which is just an accident waiting to happen ... that is not safe to me ... and those fake chewies like greenies or denta stix, nothing but preservatives and crap ... get some real bones, better for your dog and they will like them more ...

I prefer actual bones, but will admit my dogs get thrown a Rawhide now and then.

I prefer them to Nylabones, actually -- Nylabones to me seem unsafe - some are edible, but some are not. I've heard horror stories about the Nylabones splintering off into pieces and being swallowed by the dog - they usually pass, but imagine how painful (and potentially dangerous) that is. Especially for the ones that are not edible.

Apart from the other raw hide problems, they are slimy and your dogs could choke. Large raw bones are safer, however if they chew them for too long they will become constipated.

Dogs love raw carrots, they are safe and none fattening. Your dogs might also like parsnips, both of these vegetables will amuse them and keep them busy.

There are alot of folks that think rawhides will kill your dogs. I am not one of those people. My dogs get them all the time, and they start getting them as puppies. I would definately supervise your dog if they gulp treats down. I don't know if the BIG one is best for your Pom, but maybe get another ring like you mentioned. Raw marrow bones are good too. Do not give cooked bones as they can splinter and crack.

Chewing is great for dogs, it's the natural way to clean their teeth.

Greenies are actually probably worse than rawhide as it takes quite a while for them to digest the pieces down.

My dog has been chewing raw hides all his life, and NEVER has he had a problem with them. They never "hardened up in his stomach and ripped his guts" like what I've heard people say. Obviously a dogs stomach has liquids and acids; put a rawhide bone in a bowl of water, leave it there over night and tell me - does it harden up, or soften up? It SOFTENS up.

My dog also gets RAW bones too. Raw steak bones, raw ribs and raw pork bones. They are safe and nutritional; with that being said they also work great to clean their teeth!

Best of luck.

I personally have always given my dogs rawhide bone. I have had several dogs and have known many people over the years that have all fed their dogs rawhide bone with no problems. My vets have all told me that raw hide is fine to give to dog as long as you supervise and do not let them swallow chunks. The key is to buy the right size for your dog and to watch them while they have it. I buy my dog the rolled ones and she only get it in the evening while we are watching TV. When it gets small enough that she could fit it in her mouth it goes in the trash and we give her a new one.

Raw hide is junk. Buy Raw bones. Way better on there teeth and full of good healthy stuff for them :)

I only give them if I am in the room watching as they can be a choke hazard. They can also start resource guarding issues. For the most part I don't give them as they are just a time waster for dogs and not a great one at that.