[RonE]

Lots of things are said to be potentially dangerous - but I dont think im putting my dogs directly at risk by giving them rawhides - especially at they are one of the biggest things commercially and if they were as dangerous as people make them out to be would be the companies would be liable for huge lawsuits - i think companies do testing to prevent such things.

That's a very dangerous assumption, as the recent pet food recalls demonstrated. You'll need to do whatever you think is best, but don't count on the manufacturers to protect our pets. Most of the rawhide comes from overseas and they couldn't care less about the health or safety of our pets.

Sorry if that sounds provincial, but recent events have greatly soured me toward imported toys, pet foods, etc.

[nlkeple]

Originally Posted by Occy

theres a danger of being swept away at the beach...theres a danger of being run over while out walking...there are a lot of dangers in life

This is true. Everyone does what they can to minimize risk, but ultimately everyone puts their own spin on how they analyze each risk. I feed raw eggs (on occasion) to my pup and to my kids and some people think I am off my rocker for feeling comfortable with that risk, but I am confident that we are going to be fine. It sounds like you feel similarly in this case.

[Occy]

RoNe - I am in Australia - the rawhides I feed are manufactured here - so is the food - I feed pro plan salmon and rice and it was a US import - that particular type might still be - but they have started to manufacture it here. I dont buy the cheap stinky rawhides manufactured somewhere in China - theyre hideous.

nlkelpie - yep exactly. But I only feed rawhide retrievers - no other types - these are the only ones I feel are safe - the others - due to shape - have too many dangers - the strips, the shoes, the knot bones etc - but if someone else wants to feed them - go for it.