Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    NM
    Posts
    1,162
    Thanked: 689

    are pig ears a safe treat

    Chili loves his pig ears. He tosses em around, plays with em, hides them around the house, buries them in backyard, and of course eats them. But then it dawned on me, how do I know if they are safe? anyone have thoughts on any risks associated with pig ears as a treat? I used to buy them at costco. now I order them from amazon. any brand better? any brand to stay away from? any better alternative?
    Amateur pet owner
    Hidden Content
    Chili born 7/21/2013

  2. #2
    House Broken TT120's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Sacramento, CA.
    Posts
    229
    Thanked: 215
    I've been giving pig ears to my dogs for many years. I've never had a problem. I just found some water buffalo ears at a local pet shop and they're huge! So far, Milo just tosses them around and hasn't eaten one yet.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,342
    Thanked: 729
    I wouldn't say they are unsafe or safe, that's a matter of opinion. To much can cause loose stools and smaller chunks could potentially pose a choking hazard. I personally don't give them to my dogs, I find pig ears to be gross but if I did I would definitely make sure they were made in the USA and oven baked.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Bend, Oregon
    Posts
    2,024
    Thanked: 3035
    We get pig ears from the local butcher, along with raw marrow bones. They are both special treats for Thor and he hasn't had any issues with them. I'm not sure if I would buy a random packaged brand of them, though. Where I buy them from, I can talk to the guy who knows every step that went into producing the product from farmer to finished package.
    Mighty Thor, "So Much Dog", born 1/6/2014
    And baby Barley, born 3/9/2018

    Hidden Content

  5. #5
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Central NJ
    Posts
    2,603
    Thanked: 2277
    All of my dogs have loved them. We don’t give them too often though as they can be fattening. Doesn’t seem to have harmed any of mine and it has been hands down their absolutely favorite thing on the planet to get.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

    Hidden Content

  6. #6
    Senior Dog sparky's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    SW Ohio
    Posts
    2,012
    Thanked: 1626
    Pigs ears are one of Mocha's favorite treats. We get him one every time we go to Rural King. He is so proud trotting out to the truck with his prize! He only gets them when we take him to that store.
    Hidden Content
    Mocha:Born 7/13/14 Gottcha 9/13/14 Latte: Born 7/15/16 Gottcha 9/9/16
    Labs- "Hearts of gold, heads of stone, cast iron stomachs"

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to sparky For This Useful Post:

    kelsyg (08-21-2016)

  8. #7
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    10,985
    Thanked: 6722
    Have not given them because of "senior" teeth and poor Archie has only half his teeth.

    Only thing I would worry about is where they were processed. China is definitely off the list.
    Hidden Content
    Kissing Bandit

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,111
    Thanked: 685
    I was advised to use one to teach Hoku—way back in puppy days—not to food guard, and to give up / drop9 something if we asked her (the idea being that because dogs love pig ears, this would be a good high-value treat to practice with) As it turned out, this was super easy to teach, so the ear wasn't necessary (that is, she just dropped it when I asked her to). But she did like it a lot. I was just advised not to let them devour it all at once, for digestive reasons.
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

  10. #9
    Senior Dog Sandra's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ottawa
    Posts
    983
    Thanked: 518
    Charlie gets one per week, a special treat on Saturday. They are his absolute favourite thing. Never had a problem.

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    1,226
    Thanked: 1739
    Pigs ears are fine for a special treat, but they are messy, greasy and high in calories. I also echo buying all USA made and sourced, you do NOT want any of these that are preserved or processed in China.

    These are good and not too expensive
    Amazon.com : Pig Ear Half Chews, Sourced Hickory Smoked (1) : Pet Supplies

    I have found cow ears to be less greasy, again, all USA made and sourced
    Amazon.com : Cow Ears for Dogs (25 Pack) - Healthy Bulk Dog Dental Treats Natural Beef Chews Made in USA, American Made : Pet Supplies

    And my dogs love beef trachea, again all USA made and sourced
    Amazon.com : Great Dog 6 Made in USA) : Pet Snack Treats : Pet Supplies

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to Shelley For This Useful Post:

    Scoutpout (08-21-2016)

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •