{"id":3532,"date":"2023-01-25T21:13:23","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T21:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kipandtwiggys.com\/?p=3532"},"modified":"2023-01-25T21:30:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T21:30:40","slug":"cow-hooves-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kipandtwiggys.com\/cow-hooves-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Cow Hooves for Dogs (by Ruth the Vet)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>Key facts<\/span><\/h2>

<\/h4><\/div>

Cow Hooves are by-products that are cleaned, cooked and dried to create a chew<\/p>

Some are sold plain, but others are filled with a meaty paste.<\/p>

Cow Hooves are made from tough keratin, so are long-lasting but have a low nutritional value.<\/p>

They technically have a high protein content, but keratin is hard to digest, so most of it is not useful for dogs.<\/p>

The risks of feeding Cow Hooves include damage to the teeth, choking, and intestinal blockage.<\/p>

Cow Hooves are not suitable for puppies and young dogs.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What Are Cow Hooves?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like many natural dog chews, cow hooves are created from by-products of the meat industry. The bones are removed from the cow’s feet and then processed to create a tasty chew. Sometimes they may also be filled with a meaty paste to make them more appealing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves, as the name suggests, are made from the feet of cattle. The hooves are considered a by-product, meaning that they are not a normal part of the cow to be eaten. They do have several other possible uses besides dog chews – for example, they may be used to make tallows (fats for use in food or industry), fertilizers, and even foam for fire extinguishers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To make a suitable chew, the hooves are removed from the rest of the foot, cleaned, cooked, and then air-dried. These hoof treats are then naturally hollow and are sometimes filled with meaty paste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raw Feeding Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves are not usually eaten raw. They do technically contain some protein, but it is in a form that is very difficult for a dog to digest, so they are not usually a significant part of a balanced diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Benefits of Cow Hooves for Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Key benefits<\/h3><\/div>

Long-Lasting
<\/strong>Tough keratin is hard to chew<\/p>

Single Protein Source
<\/strong>Helpful for some food sensitivities<\/p>

Lower Fat
<\/strong>May contain less than other snacks<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Long-Lasting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves are largely made of keratin, a tough protein that provides a challenge for even an enthusiastic chewer. This makes them a long-lasting choice, but can come with some risks to dogs’ teeth, as we will see later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Single Protein Source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As long as they are not filled with another kind of paste, cow hooves should only contain a single kind of animal protein. This may be useful for dogs who cannot tolerate certain kinds of meat in their diets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, depending on the manufacturing process used, there is the possibility of cross-contamination with other proteins, too. This means that dogs who are severely allergic to some meats may still have issues eating these treats, even if they are normally fine with beef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower Fat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves do have some fat in them, but this may be less than for other kinds of chews or treats. However, it can vary quite widely between different brands, so be sure to check the packaging for your dog’s own treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Nutritional Information for Cow Hooves<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nutrients<\/h3><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Protein<\/div><\/div>
48%-85%<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ash<\/div><\/div>
1%-8%<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Fat<\/div><\/div>
1%-4%<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Moisture<\/div><\/div>
6%-12%<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Protein<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves are often said to be “high in protein”, but this is quite a misleading claim. They do technically have a high protein content, but most of that protein is in the form of keratin. This tough structure is very difficult for dogs to digest, so keratin is not a very useful source of protein for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most cow hooves do contain some fat – and if they have a meaty stuffing, then this is likely to be much higher. These fats are not particularly high-quality, from a nutrition point of view, so mostly just add calories to this treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamins, Minerals & Compounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves contain very few vitamins and minerals. Those that are present are tightly hard to digest, much the same as the protein, and so are not likely to offer many benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as long as your dog is eating a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for their age and breed, then they will not need any extra vitamins or minerals in their diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Low (But Beware of Fillings)<\/h3>

Cow Hooves are low in calories, as the protein (in the form of keratin) is hard to digest. However, the meaty filling that is often added to these treats can increase the calorie count quite significantly – check your retailer’s website for details. Most dogs need around 30 kcal per pound of body weight – that’s around 600 kcal for a 20lb pooch.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Feeding Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves should only be given as an occasional treat – certainly no more than once a week. <\/em>Try to keep any treats or table scraps that your dog has low, so that they make up no more than ten per cent of their daily food intake, by weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Downsides & Risks of Cow Hooves for Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Some Moderate Risks<\/h3>

May cause damage to your dog’s teeth.<\/p>

May get stuck in your dog’s throat, leading to choking.<\/p>

May have difficulty passing through your dog’s gut, leading to an intestinal blockage.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dental Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves can be quite hard, and there is a risk that chewing on them could damage your dog’s teeth. As a general rule, a dog chew should be soft enough that you can make a dent in it with your nail. If the cow hooves that you have bought are harder than this, then consider soaking them in water to soften them before offering them to your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cow hooves are solid, and if dogs try to swallow them too quickly then they may get stuck in their throat or food pipe (oesophagus). If this happens then your dog will need immediate medical attention, and sadly it can even be fatal in some cases. Always supervise your dog when they are enjoying this kind of chew, and make sure they do not try to swallow large pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal blockage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smaller pieces of cow hoof that are swallowed without chewing can lodge in the stomach or small intestines. As hooves are hard to digest, this can lead to them causing a blocking. If this happens then the dog will start to vomit and may seem uncomfortable in their belly. This needs prompt treatment from a veterinarian to avoid serious complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid If…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n