Are Cow Ears safe for dogs?
Cow Ears are generally considered safe for dogs as they are highly digestible. This means everything that reaches the stomach should be successfully digested. However, when they get small enough to swallow, you should remove the last bit to ensure your dog doesn’t swallow it whole and choke.
Do Cow Ears smell?
One of the reasons why cow ears appeal to our customers is because they are less greasy and less smelly than pig ears. In fact, they barely have a noticeable smell at all, unless you really sniff them.
Can Cow Ears cause diarrhoea in dogs?
Cow ears can occasionally cause diarrhoea, particularly when too many are fed, or if your dog has a sensitive stomach. This is usually because of the richness of the cow ear, however it can also happen if your dog has an allergy to beef protein. Most diarrhoea clears up within a day or two by feeding a bland diet. Remember, all treats should be fed in moderation and don’t introduce too many new treats at once to your dog’s diet.
Can Cow Ears cause a blockage?
Cow ears pose an extremely low risk of gastrointestinal blockages as they are a natural produce and highly digestible. Therefore, generally they are very safe. The exception to this is when the pieces become small enough to swallow whole, they can become lodged in the roof of the mouth, in the top of the throat or oesophagus, and potentially cause a choking hazard. Therefore they should be removed from your dog when they get to this point. You should always supervise your dog when feeding any natural treat.
Can puppies eat Cow Ears?
Cow ears are a perfect, low fat, tough chew for puppies. One of the best chews for teething puppies, they satisfy their need to chew but as they contain virtually no fat, they are easy on the immature digestive system.
The Benefits of Feeding Cow Ears:
- Cow ears are a great option for an occasional treat, which offers health benefits for the teeth and joints
- They provide a moderate amount of chewing time, and for most dogs, don’t pose any risk of ill-health
- Cow ears can also help your dog with improving his oral hygiene. Chewing on cow ears helps to remove plaque from the teeth, and reduce the chances of developing periodontal disease
- Rich in Chondroitin. Since ears are mainly made up of cartilage, they are naturally full of chondroitin. This helps improve the health of joint cartilage, and specifically aids dogs with arthritis, or who are hard-wearing on their joints, such as active, working dogs.
- Low in fat. Cow ears are low in fat so great for dogs that are watching their weight.
Alternatives to Cow Ears
Does your dog not like cow ears or maybe you are after something a bit different: Here are a few alternatives which you could consider giving your dog instead:
Pig Ears – If cow ears don’t appeal to your dog, but you still want all the same benefits, try pig ears if you have a medium dog, or lamb ears if you have a small dog. However, pig ears in particular are more fatty than cow ears, so we wouldn’t recommend them for overweight dogs.
Deer Antlers – If you’re looking for a low-fat chew which will improve your dog’s dental hygiene, antlers are a wonderful alternative. They’re much longer lasting, very effective at scraping off dental plaque and since they aren’t ingested, don’t contribute to your dog’s daily calories. The downside is that they are not meant to be swallowed, so if they are, they can cause problems.
Chicken Feet – If it’s the chondroitin content which attracts you to cow ears, chicken feet also contain high levels of cartilage and chondroitin, and therefore are great for dogs with joint issues.
Achilles Tendons – If you want a great treat for your dog’s dental health which is longer lasting than cow ears, achilles tendons are a good option. As these begin to soften, individual fibres appear, which acts similarly to a dental floss.
Pizzles – These are natural, dried chews which are made out of bull penis (yum). They provide plenty of chewing time and are great for the teeth. However, unlike cow ears, they are high in calories and therefore are not suitable for dogs who are overweight.
With Woofs and Wags,
Laura, Dolly & Reggie