Can a dog pass a piece of rawhide? Tips and Tricks

Signs a Dog May Have Swallowed Rawhide

What you see:	What might be happening:	What to do:
Your dog is in distress, choking, drooling, or frantically trying to remove the stuck piece with its paws.	The rawhide might be stuck in the dogs trachea (windpipe).	See a vet immediately.
Drooling and regurgitation shortly after eating; undigested food comes back up in large pieces, often in an oblong tubular shape.	The rawhide may be lodged in the dogs esophagus.	See the vet.
Vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain; the dog may assume a hunched-up position and strain to defecate.	The rawhide may be lodged in the stomach.	See the vet.

Are Rawhide Bones Good for Dogs?

Rawhide bones, which basically consist of the inner part of the hide of a bovine livestock, are typically sold in pet stores as chew treats, and they may come in different shapes and sizes. Rolls, twists, sticks, braids, or hand-tied bones are just a few examples. Although rawhide is advertised as a way of scraping away plaque, controlling the build-up of tartar, massaging gums, diminishing bad breath, and entertaining the dog for hours, there are concealed risks all pet owners must be aware of when purchasing these apparently innocuous dental chews.

Signs of Trouble: Things That Warrant an Immediate Trip to the Vet

Unfortunately, not every swallowing oops goes smoothly, and sometimes, your dog may run into trouble. If you notice any of the following, your dog must be seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian:

Stuck rawhide: If you can’t dislodge a rawhide in your pup’s throat with your fingers or the doggy Heimlich, get him to the vet immediately. The stuck rawhide may cover his windpipe, which is obviously a medical emergency.

Breathing difficulties: Breathing trouble can also indicate that your dog is choking or experiencing pain — particularly if he’s taking quick, shallow breaths. Also, if your pooch still appears to be struggling to breathe after removing a trapped rawhide, he may have a piece wedged deeper in the esophagus.

Repeated vomiting: If your pooch is repeatedly retching or vomiting after swallowing his rawhide, take him to an emergency clinic ASAP. There’s a chance that the rawhide is lodged in his digestive tract.

Inability to poop / straining: Tenesmus — unproductive straining — can indicate a bowel obstruction. Rawhide has a nasty habit of absorbing fluid in the stomach, which can make it hard to pass.

Poop problems: If your dog is trying to pass a chunk of rawhide that seems to be stuck in his rectum, never attempt to remove it yourself. This can cause serious injury, especially if the object is twisted or features a sharp edge. In cases like this, he should be seen by a vet immediately.

The production of runny or watery stools: Conversely, loose or runny stools can also be a sign of a bowel obstruction or some other intestinal issue, as his body struggles to pass it, and only the liquid portion can get around the obstruction.

Extreme lethargy: Your dog’s behavior is a window into how he’s feeling, and if he seems hesitant to do much of anything, there could be a serious problem. Just compare his behavior against his baseline; if your husky is normally bouncing off the walls, but he suddenly seems strangely inactive, get your vet on the horn.

Signs of panic: Extreme pacing, excessive drooling, and heavy panting are just some of the ways that your dog shows distress. In this case, it may indicate a blockage, which will often cause him to freak out pretty thoroughly.

Signs of pain: Whining, walking with a hunch posture, and refusal to settle are all indicators that your pup is in pain, likely brought on by internal injuries or blocked plumbing.

Treatment for a swallowed rawhide will vary by case, though bowel obstructions almost always result in complicated veterinary procedures.

Typically, your vet will first perform a physical exam and an x-ray or ultrasound to confirm the rawhide’s location. Small pieces may pass without intervention, but large pieces may cause more damage (and necessitate more invasive treatment) the farther it passes through the intestines.

Dangers of Rawhide for Dogs

What happens if a dog swallows a rawhide? … In a best-case scenario, your dog will simply pass the rawhide within a few days; in a worst-case scenario, the rawhide could cause him to choke or lead to a life-threatening intestinal blockage that necessitates emergency veterinary attention.