Cow hooves are unique treats that most dogs love. From the tantalizing taste to the time-consuming chewing challenge, cow hooves are a delicacy your dog may enjoy greatly.
Despite your pup’s probable delight, these treats are a polarizing option among owners for a few good reasons.
For example, extra tough treats like these can be hard on your pooch’s teeth – especially if they are serious chompers. Brittle hooves can also splinter and cause a host of other problems.
You know your canine best, so it’s up to your best judgment as to whether or not cow hooves are a good fit for Fido. As with any chew treat, quality and constant monitoring are key to ensuring safety and your pup’s enjoyment!
Are Cow Hooves Safe for Dogs?
The safety of a cow hoof depends on your level of comfort and your pup’s level of chewing — these treats are certainly not something you’ll want your dog to enjoy unattended for extended periods of time.
For one, cow hooves are very tough without much give. If a dog bites very hard and with a lot of force onto a hoof, he could damage his teeth.
The general tooth test is, try pushing down hard on a chew with your fingernail. If it makes a small mark or indentation, it’s probably not going to hurt your dog’s teeth. If you can’t make a mark, there is some potential dental danger.
It’s worth noting that most adult dogs are smart enough to bypass this danger – many dogs will chew lightly on the hoof without crunching down with extreme force.
However, all dogs are individuals. If you know your dog gets carried away with chews and you see him using his back molars to really crack down on the hoof, you may want to consider taking it away.
The danger is higher for pups too, since they aren’t usually as experienced enough to know that some chews require more gentle gnawing.
Because of the natural composition of hooves, small bits and pieces can sometimes break off and be a hazard for your hound.
You’ll want to make sure these little pieces aren’t coming off your dog’s treat, and if they are, throw the hoof away immediately. These pieces can be sharp and cause issues in the mouth and even the digestive tract.
Once your dog has chewed most of the hoof to a small piece, it’s best to throw it away to prevent it from becoming a choking hazard.
Unlike other seemingly fresh treats like pig snouts or cow ears, most cow hooves tend to not be preserved with anything dangerous or potentially harmful. They are comprised of (obviously) natural material, so it’s not the flavoring or preservatives that can cause problems — it’s the tiny fractured bits and pieces that come apart when your pup is chewing.
A worst case scenario would be an obstruction in the digestive system if your dog swallows a large enough piece — that’s a medical emergency that requires immediate professional attention.
So, for safety’s sake, it’s a good idea to toss out your canine’s cow hoof if he starts trying to swallow any small pieces that are created.
Are Cow Hooves Digestible?
Cow hooves are essentially the toe nails of a cow, and they’re largely made from a substance called keratin (the same material from which your nails are made).
Keratin isn’t very digestible, so it’ll tend to pass through your dog’s digestive tract intact. That means you may see small pieces of cow hoof in your dog’s poop.
Given this, it means that cow hooves aren’t a snack, but a chewy treat to give your dog something to chomp on and promote dental health.
Pros and Cons of Giving Cow Hooves to Your Dog
If there’s risk involved, why give your pup cow hooves at all? Turns out there are also rewards — here are some pros and cons of giving cow hooves to your dog.
Pros
- A cow hoof is going to keep your pup busy! In fact, it will keep some pups busy for days and days. Cow hooves are one of the longest-lasting dog chews available, along with elk antlers. If you’re tired of your pup destroying stuffies, rubber squeaky toys, and more, then a cow hoof is going to give him something to do for much longer.
- They can be filled with tasty treats. Some cow hooves even come pre-filled with pup favorites like peanut butter, that’ll help keep your pooch even more interested.
- Cow hooves tend to be the real deal. They’re generally sourced straight from farms and subjected to few preservatives or treatments.
Cons
- They may injure your pup. A major con of cow hooves is the risk involved with most tough chew treats — the undeniable risk of small fragments breaking off and hurting your pup’s mouth or digestive system.
- Supervision is required. You can’t just leave these cow hooves laying on the floor for your pup to enjoy when you’re not around — constant close supervision is a must.
- Cow hooves stink. A top complaint of cow hooves comes not from the dogs but from the people due to the outlandish odor that emanates from a half-eaten treat –it can be a bit much when there are other odorless options out there!
The Three Best Cow Hooves for Dogs
1. Pawstruck Natural Cow Hooves for Dogs
About: Made in the USA and sold in a variety of quantities and flavors, Pawstruck Natural Cow Hooves for Dogs area great option for many dogs.
Product
Details
- Our natural Cow Hooves for dogs are Made in the USA to ensure the healthiest and safest possible dog...
- Each cow hoof is made with No artificial ingredients, No hormones, and No chemicals. These...
- Dog dental care is important. These natural hard dog dental chews help to remove and clean away...
- If you're worried about cost, we've got your back! We offer lots of pack sizes to help you save...
Features: Pawstruck Natural Cow Hooves are sold in quantities from 10 up to 100, so you can buy small samples or you can buy in bulk. Pawstruck treats are made in the Midwestern USA, from FDA- and USDA-approved facilities, so you can rest assured that your pup is enjoying a high-quality and fresh product.
They offer a variety of other chews too like bully sticks, rawhides, and others.
Pawstruck offers a satisfaction guarantee, so if you or your pup aren’t happy with these cow hooves, you’ve got 30 days to send them back.
Ingredients: The plain hooves are 100% cow hoof; flavored-filled varieties, such as 5 Cheese & Bacon and Peanut Butter have additional components inside.
Options: Plain Pawstruck cow hooves are hollow, so you can add your own goodies inside. Uniquely, a variety of flavored-fillings are offered, such as 5 Cheese & Bacon and Peanut Butter Filled.
PROS
Pawstruck offers a variety of options to meet your pup’s needs and wants — from prefilled delights to hollow hooves to add your pup’s favorite fillings. Past purchasers also note the high quality of the hooves, and explain that these are a great means for keeping those teeth pearly white.
CONS
Some owners report that these aren’t the most durable cow hoof out there — some of them break into multiple pieces quickly, causing the classic hard-chew hazard for pups like splintering and digestive obstruction risk. Additionally, like most cow hooves, while your pup might enjoy the natural smells and flavors, they aren’t exactly pleasing to the human nose.
2. 123 Treats Smoked Cow Hooves
About: 123 Treats Smoked Cow Hooves are another quality cow hoof option to satisfy your pup’s need to chew. These smoked hooves are sourced from grass-fed cows and are a healthy and tasty option for your pup.
Product
Details
- ✅ PREMIUM QUALITY - 123 Treats smoked cow hooves follows the tightest quality guidelines in the...
- ✅ ALL NATURAL AND DELICIOUS - Our smoked hooves for dogs are free of chemicals, hormones and...
- ✅GREAT FOR ORAL CARE - Canine dental health is nothing to ever dismiss. If you want your pet to be...
- ✅VARIETY PACK AND BUDGET FRIENDLY - Our Hooves chews for dogs are ideal for owners who are...
Features: These hooves from 123 Treats are sold in quantities of 10 to 50, with savings offered for higher amounts. The hooves are smoked during production, adding a bit of extra flavor for your canine’s taste buds.
Ingredients: All-natural cow hooves.
Options: While 123 Treats offers cow hooves in just one flavor, they are sold in packs of 10, 25, or 50 — you can buy a small sampling or buy in bulk once your pooch is hooked!
PROS
Dogs love the smoky flavor! Flavor makes a huge difference in your pup’s preference of chews, and this will keep them interested and distract them from chewing on other things (like your furniture). Additionally, some humans report that the smell of these hooves is not quite as bad as other options.
CONS
These hooves seem to run smaller than other brands, creating a choking hazard right off the bat for bigger dogs. Again, like all hooves, dog owners report the sharp fractures that can splinter off these treats, causing a host of hazards.
3. Brutus & Barnaby Cow Hooves for Dogs
About: USDA approved from South American cows, Brutus & Barnaby Cow Hooves for Dogs are a durable option for hoof-loving hounds.
Product
Details
Features: Unlike many other seemingly natural treats, Brutus & Barnaby’s cow hooves are left unbleached, so your pooch isn’t subjected to unhealthy chemicals. Additionally, if your pooch isn’t a fan, you have the option to exchange them for another Brutus & Barnaby product, or receive a refund.
Ingredients: FDA- and USDA-approved cow hooves from South America.
PROS
The cow hooves from Brutus & Barnaby are hollow in the center for you to add your own treats to entice your pup. These treats also seem to be more durable than the average cow hoof.
CONS
With added durability comes the risk of damaging teeth –while these treats might not splinter as easily as others, some owners report broken or cracked teeth.
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We’ve covered some of the top cow hooves on the market, but we want to hear from you.
What are your thoughts on controversial cow hooves? Do you love them or hate them? Most importantly, what does your pooch say?
Let us know in the comments below!
1 Comment
December 16, 2019
Have always recommended cow hooves for chewers and as a substitute for dangerous rawhide. Which I would say is far more dangerous and a choking hazard than cow hooves.