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This is Post #7 (Pressed Rawhide Bones For Dogs) in a series of articles summarizing the pros & cons of 12 Long-Lasting Dog Chews.
Pressed rawhide was actually the very first dog chew I tried with my dogs — decades ago — after hearing all the bad things about rawhide bones and rawhide dog chews.
Following are the most important things you need to know about pressed rawhide vs. regular rawhide bones for dogs. (Plus the pressed rawhide bones safety information that you’re probably wondering about.)
The bottom line is pressed rawhide bones for dogs are 100% safe and I give them to my dogs all the time. See which ones and why…
Facts About “Regular” Rawhide Bones
First of all, here’s what you need to know about “regular” (non-pressed) rawhide bones for dogs:
- Regular rawhide bones and chews are made from one single layer of rawhide that is “rolled” into the shape of a dog bone or dog chew.
- These single-layer pieces of rawhide can be chewed into small chunks rather quickly.
- Regular rawhide pieces are not easily digested by dogs.
- When a dog swallows a piece of rawhide, it expands inside the dog’s body and can become blocked in the dogs throat, stomach, or intestines.
Even more important facts, photos, and videos about rawhide here.
Facts About Pressed Rawhide Bones For Dogs
Pressed rawhide is much different because of the process that’s used to make it.
Pressed rawhide bones are made from several very tight layers of compressed cowhide that won’t expand when wet — so they’re easy to digest.
What I like best about pressed rawhide bones:
- They are 100% digestible! (You can see in the above photos of my dogs that the chewed ends of the pressed rawhide bones get “gummy” — but not sticky — instead of breaking off or slivering. They dry-up again real quickly, so they’re not always gummy.)
- One of the great things about pressed rawhide bones is they’re very affordable — especially when purchased on line, or in bulk.
- Pressed rawhide bones will massage your dog’s gums and help help to remove tartar as they’re gnawing on it — especially those far back teeth that are hard to reach when brushing!
- My dogs seem to like both the scent and the texture. (But there’s really not a strong or offensive odor to pressed rawhide bones.)
TIP: It takes my dogs a long time to wear down a pressed rawhide bone. So, I always remove it from them each time they’ve gnawed down a good bit of it. Then, I let it dry out and harden a bit before reintroducing it to them again. Once it gets small enough to entirely fit in their mouth, I throw it away — just because it becomes too awkward for them to chew on without putting it entirely inside their mouth.
HOW LONG WILL A PRESSED RAWHIDE BONE LAST? Weeks to months
BEST FOR: Power chewers, medium chewers, and light chewers
MY FAVORITE BRAND(S): Cadet pressed rawhide bones
WHAT MAKES THIS BRAND UNIQUE: Cadet’s pressed rawhide bones are 100% natural, premium-quality beef hide with no added colors, flavors, or fillers.
Pressed Rawhide Bone Sizes
I like the 6-inch or 8-inch pressed rawhide bones best for my 50-lb dogs.
They also come in 4-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.
Generally, you should buy smaller ones for puppies, and larger ones for big dogs. When in doubt, choose a larger bone for your dog over a smaller one.
NOTE: If your dog “gulps” food rather “chews” it, you should take their pressed rawhide bone away from them once it has become small enough to entirely fit inside your dog’s mouth. (My dogs don’t “gulp” or “swallow quickly” what they’re eating. They tend to chew things into smaller bites instead — so I usually have plenty of time to remove a pressed bone that’s become too small.)
Where To Find Pressed Rawhide Bones For Dogs
Most grocery stores sell them these days. (Usually around $3 to $5 apiece, depending on the size.)
Of course, pet stores and department stores do as well.
I’ve consistently found the prices to be quite low online — so I usually buy them on Amazon.
Want to try the pressed rawhide bones my dogs like best?
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I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn’t think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I’ve always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I’ve been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what’s ‘normal’ and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I’m not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.
