Rawhide Jerky Treats for Dogs- Good or Bad?

If your dogs are anything like mine, they go crazy for raw hides! My dogs can smell them when I walk in the door. They love chewing on them and I enjoy giving them to my dogs. But with so many questions regarding the safety of raw hides, many of my clients and myself question whether we should continue giving these treats.

The FDA recently released a question and answer article regarding the products. You can read it in detail by clicking here. This website will also provide you with information regarding how to submit products that you believe made your pet sick. 

The thought that jerky treats are making dogs sick isn't a new idea. Previous warnings were issued in 2007 and 2008 but the number of complaints dropped between 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the FDA began conducting an investigation after an drastic increase was appreciated in the number of complaints concerning dog related illnesses after consuming chicken jerky products produced in China.

The products of concern initially were chicken jerky treats that were produced in China. During 2012, the FDA began to receive complaints about duck and sweet potato jerky treats and today the investigation has been broadened to include these products. Despite the significant number of complaints, studies have failed to identify any contaminant or specific cause of disease related to the products or a particular brand. As a result, no products have been removed from the market. Numerous laboratories have been conducting tests since 2007. The tests are screening for microbiological and chemical contaminants. According to the FDA website, "Product samples were tested for Salmonella, metals, furans, pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, rodenticides, nephrotoxins (such as aristolochic acid, maleic acid, paraquat, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, toxic hydrocarbons, melamine and related triazines) and were screened for other chemicals and poisonous compounds." 

Until the FDA is able to determine the causative agent that may link the pet illnesses to jerky treats, they are recommending that you feed these treats with caution. Here are some things to remember:

1. Jerky and other treats should never be substituted for a maintenance diet. 
2. If you feed your dog jerky treats, monitor for changes in energy level, appetite, bowel movements, urination habits, attitude and water consumption. Any changes should be reported to your veterinarian. 
3. Read the labels of jerky treats before you purchase them. Try to find products that are made AND distributed by the US. Several products are distributed in the US but are processed in China.

If you feed your dog jerky treats and you think they are beginning to become sick, call your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend blood tests to evaluate your dog's kidney function as well as glucose and electrolytes levels. Always inform your veterinarian about any treats or changes in dog food that you feed. 

I've shopped around in pet stores and in the pet area of stores like Target and have been able to find several jerky treats that are made in the United States. For the time being, these are the only jerky treats that I will be feeding my dogs! 

My Pet is HOW Old?!

We all know how to calculate our pet's age in "people years"- you take their age and multiply it by 7. Well, that's how we used to do it! Turns out, it's not so simple. The size of your dog needs to be factored in, as large dogs age faster than young ones. (Explains why miniature poodles can watch your first child be born and still be around as they go to prom but an 8-year-old Boxer is viewed at as "old") There's also a difference between indoor and outdoor cats! Outdoor cats live a harder lifestyle than those kitties living the posh life inside and will actually age faster. Check out these tables for more information! 

Dogs: You start to see the big difference at 3 years of age. Before then, the size of dog has little difference. By 13 years, there is almost a 30 year gap between a large and small dog!

Cats: Like dogs, you start to see the difference at 3 years of ago. By age 14, there is almost a 50 year gap between inside and outside cats!

Pets over the age of 5 should be seen every 6 months for exams as they are more likely to develop serious medical conditions. The sooner we catch these diseases, the more treatment options there are! Call your vet to schedule today.