Urgent vet warning over popular treat dogs obsess over – but it could kill them

A VET has issued an urgent warning over a popular treat which dogs obsess over – but which could kill them.

Many dog lovers give their pooches rawhide treats to chew on to stop them mangling shoes and slippers.

But Tails vet Sean McCormack said that rawhide should actually be avoided – or you could be putting your dog in danger.

He told WalesOnline: “There is a common misconception that rawhide is just dried meat that is made into fun shapes for your dog to chew on, but quite often this is not the case.

“Rawhide is the processed hide of cows and other animals, that are then preserved in chemicals and salt brine to stop them decaying.

“One of the main reasons to avoid giving them to your furry friend is because of the harsh and toxic chemicals that they can be preserved in.”

Your dog could be chewing away on animal skins steeped in chemicals – wreaking havoc on their digestive systems.

Rawhide can also quadruple in size when it enters a dog’s stomach, risking a fatal blockage or choking.

It is also so tough that it can fracture your pet’s teeth while they chew away.

Sean recommends buying either a long-lasting natural chew, a meat treat or a lick mat for your dog.

He said: “Chewing has many benefits for dogs, such as relieving pain in puppies that are teething, or keeping boredom at bay,

“It is important that our dogs are given chews and treats that are good for their health.”

It comes after vets issued an urgent warning over a popular household item which could kill your dog.

Dog owners have also been warned about a popular activity which made a pooch fall ill.