Should I order an xray from rawhide?

[George2008]

Hello!

My 10 month old yorkie George has been eating rawhide for months. I just recently learned how bad they are for him so I threw them all out. I usually always threw the small ones away, but I know a couple of times he swallowed a decent size piece before I could take it away from him.

Now after learning how bad they are, I'm afraid he might have big pieces stuck in his stomach or colon. How can I tell?

The symptoms I have noticed is his appetite has decreased a little, I feed him 1/4 cup of food in the morning and 1/4 cup at night, but sometimes when it is time for dinner he still has breakfast left. He usually catches up and finishes breakfast then eats dinner just a couple hours later, but previously he was always hungry and ate every bite immediately when I fed him. I wasn't sure if his decreased appetite is from just getting older?

Also every now and then he acts like he throws up in his mouth a little, he never actually throws up anything externally but it's like he swallows it before it comes out or nothing comes out.

Please let me know what you think! Should I take him to get x-rays just to be safe? Or do these two symptoms sound like normal 10 month old behavior? Or allergies?

Thanks a million!
Amanda and George

[Nancy1999]

First of all, they have been selling billions of raw hides, and most dogs have no problems, but a few did, and this is enough for some of us to take raw hides off our safe list. Raw hides are not 100% digestible, and small pieces can break off and cause a blockage. Signs of this are pretty serious. Dog will stop eating, pooping and will vomit, the vet is the one who recommends the X-ray. There are some new types of raw hides that are made in a different way, and the raw hide is first pulverized into tiny tiny granules, and then molded back into a bone shape. These are said to be a safer alternative because the tiny granules can't cause a blockage. They aren't yet easy to find. A safer alternative is a product that is 100% digestible such as Bully Sticks; they offer the same benefits of cleaning the teeth, and satisfying the chewing urge without the problem of perhaps causing a blockage. George sounds perfectly normal, they do go through growing spurts, and sometimes their appetite is bigger than other times. Is he pooping every day?

[2Parises]

Hi Amanda!

Welcome to YT.

I can't give any advice on the x-ray...but I just wanted to say that you sure do sound like a normal YT Yorkie owner!!

I think we have all had these dilemmas at one point or another and I usually go on the cautious side.

I know there are many on this board who let their Yorkies have rawhides while supervised. Maybe they can offer something on this.

~Lorene

[chattiesmom]

If your George is acting normally, eating, peeing, pooping, drinking water, then I wouldn't worry about him.

[George2008]

Thanks for the welcome!

He drinks fine and acts normal. He seems to poop okay too, although it's little short ones that are kind of wet but not liquid or anything. Just soft. If it weren't for his change in appetite I wouldnt think anything of it. I am debating changing his food because I feed him Purina Puppy Pro which I think isn't the best, right? I once previously attempted to switch him to Science Diet's Nature brand but he got real sick, even with me mixing just a tiny bit in with Purina, so I threw that out. I'm cautious about switching it but I want him to eat healthy food and I've been told Purina and shelf brands aren't the best. Is Science Diet recommended? Maybe a sensitive stomach formula?

I am an over-protective Mom!