And how about tennis balls?

I've read here that rawhide can pose a choking hazard. As far as a tennis ball, I wouldn't use one if your dog is big enough that it could potentially choke him/her.

We have 2 little dogs and they love playing with a tennis ball. It would be way too big for them to swallow though.

Hi, I gave my dogs rawhide a long time ago. One of them choked on it; I had to put my fingers down his mouth to get it out..And that was it. No more. But my friends give rawhide to their dogs all the time, and nothing has ever happened. I say watch them, just in case. Carol

I have never seen raw bones Are they at the pet store?

I hear that rawhide bones can not only be choked on but can clog there intestine and make them really sick. I bought a real bone at petsmart it cost a little more but it lasts alot longer! An its safe for your dog.

actually, rawhides are very good for your dog's teeth

but, do try to make sure that your dog only chews on it when you're there to watch him. my boxer likes to unravel it, chew it so it's nice and moist, then just swallow the whole thing...! she's only succeeded in swallowing it once, and the vet said she'd be fine, which she was. usually when i see it getting to that point, i just take it away from her and throw it away.

also, be careful where you let your dog chew it.. once they've chewed it for a while, it gets soggy, and can sometimes get on the carpet.

all in all, i think they're really nothing to worry about.. just try to be there just in case. it's a really good way to occupy your dog's time for a good hour

Our dog loves rawhide, but I have seen her struggling to digest it on a couple of occassions. After reading this post, Im not sure that I will buy her anymore.

However, she does love tennis balls but her favourite toy at the moment is her "frisbee" which she takes everywhere with her. She begs me to throw it all of the time, and brings it back for more.

My dog seems to be able to run forever!!!

My vet told me that compressed rawhide is the only thing I should give our puppy. She said that traditional rawhide & especially Greenies have a high occurence of foreign bodies & intestinal blockages. She said to absolutely avoid Greenies! You can get compressed rawhide at Petsmart & they even make it in different shapes & flavors that dogs love.

My sister is also a vet & told me that real bones are not good for dogs because they fracture can splinter, which can be very dangerous for the digestive tract. If you want something natural, she recommends these things call Bully Sticks.... they're dried cows' *THINGS*. Kind of gross, but they're safe & natural & apparently dogs love them! I thought you could get them at Petsmart, but I don't think you can- you can go to their website @ Bully Sticks.com.

Hope that helps!

I used to get rawhide for my dogs. It always ended up giving them the diarhea. So I either buy Nylabone products or real bones for my dogs. They last much longer & has never made them sick.