Are pig ears good for puppies to chew on? Here’s What to Do Next

Not Right For Every Dog

Pig ears generally last quite a while, but for more tenacious chewers, this may not be the right treat to keep your dog busy for more than a few minutes. For these types of dogs, tougher chews such as bully sticks are recommended.

Some dogs may also be prone to swallowing their treats whole. Whole pig ears are large enough to cause an intestinal blockage, or even choking, if they are swallowed whole.

For smaller dogs, even a large chunk of a pig ear can be large enough to cause problems.

Supervision is Necessary

To ensure a safe chewing experience for your dog, be sure to supervise your dog while he’s chewing on his pig ear. Some dogs may chew responsibly, while others may try to swallow the whole ear or tear off large chunks to swallow.

As previously mentioned, if your dog manages to swallow the entire ear, or a large chunk, he could be at risk of an intestinal blockage. To prevent this, consider holding on to the ear while your dog chews until he understands that he isn’t supposed to swallow it in one piece.

Are Pig Ears Safe For Dogs?

When you buy pig ears for your dog, there are some things to look for so you know they’re safe. The most important thing is … how have the pig ears you buy for your dog been processed?

Pig ears are usually sold whole … so they’re recognizable as ears! Pig ears that are safe for dogs should be an unaltered whole ingredient. Don’t buy pig ear strips or pieces as they’re more likely to be processed with chemicals.

Some raw dog food suppliers sell frozen raw pig ears … and those are the best choice if you can get them.

In stores, you’ll usually find pig ears that are cooked. This is when you need to watch out for potentially harmful additives.

Because of concerns about bacteria and trichinosis parasites in raw pork, you’d expect cooked ears to be safer. But cooked ears have some pitfalls.

Many of the ones you’ll find in stores are roasted, boiled or smoked to prevent salmonellosis. But even so, they can be a bacterial risk or cause digestive upset … or even an intestinal blockage if your dog doesn’t chew thoroughly before he swallows.

If you buy cooked pig or cow ears, choose baked ears without any additives. They don’t need any chemicals or preservatives … and you should verify that they don’t have any before you buy them.

Some ears are irradiated to remove bacteria … but irradiation isn’t safe for your dog, so ask the manufacturer if they irradiate their pig ears. If the ears look white, they’re likely irradiated.

Smoked ears are popular … but don’t buy them. Always avoid smoked meats for your dog. Any smoked meat increases cancer risk.

Pig Ear Treats Causing Disease in People and Dogs

Dog owners have become more health-conscious, so they’re reconsidering many popular dog treats. Things like rawhide and even peanut butter are not as harmless as we once thought. And you want to find wholesome, natural nutrition that’s safe for your dog.

So there are two big questions: Are pig ears good for dogs … and are pig ears safe for dogs?

The answer is yes, but only if they’re the right kind of pig ears. The same goes for cow ears. Pig ears and cow ears for dogs can be a good treat option … but you need to know what to look for and what to avoid when you buy ears for your dog.