Beef head skin is the classic on the chew shelf, and yet I keep reading the question in forums whether it is dangerous. The honest answer: it is one of the safest chews there is, as long as the size is right. Here is everything you need to know.
What is beef head skin anyway?
Exactly what the name says. The skin from the head of the cow, dried, cut into strips or pieces. It is thicker and tougher than beef skin from the body, which is why it lasts longer. It comes with and without fur. We carry the beef head skin with fur, and the fur is no accident, more on that in a moment.
Is beef head skin dangerous?
No, not in the sense of splintering. Dried skin does not splinter, it slowly softens and wears away while chewing. The only real danger is gulping: a dog that bites off big pieces and swallows them whole can choke or get a stomach ache. You solve that through the size. The piece should be longer than the mouth is wide, and when a small remnant is left over, you take it away. As with every chew: give under supervision, especially the first time.
What many confuse: beef head skin is not the same as rawhide from the supermarket. The white pressed chew bones are often chemically treated and bleached. Our head skin is only dried, nothing else.
What is inside?
Beef head skin consists almost entirely of protein. Ours has 76.6 percent crude protein at 7.2 percent fat. For comparison: pig ears sit at 20 to 30 percent fat, bully sticks similar. Beef head skin is therefore one of the lean chews that still last a long time. For dogs that carry a few kilos too many, that is a real argument.
With fur or without?
The fur is indigestible. That sounds like a disadvantage at first, but it is the reason why many owners deliberately choose the version with fur. The hairs act like a coarse brush that works its way through the gut and takes undigested remnants with it. It is called natural gut cleansing. You see the hairs in the stool afterwards, that is normal and intended. If you do not like that or have a dog with a very sensitive stomach, take the version without fur.
For which dogs?
- Medium and large dogs: the classic target group. Long occupation, dental care on the side.
- Small dogs: better the beef leg skin as a sheet, which you can cut to size yourself.
- Seniors: if the teeth are still good, yes. Otherwise beef lips are softer.
- Puppies: from teething onwards in small pieces, not before.
- Allergy sufferers to beef: no. Beef is one of the most common triggers. Then better horse or game.
How often and how long?
One piece per day is completely fine for a medium dog if you deduct it from the food amount. A piece of 12 to 15 centimetres keeps an average chewer busy for 20 to 40 minutes. Power chewers are faster, then better a bigger piece. Unopened, the skin keeps for months, storing it cool and dry is enough.
You will find all beef chews in the category beef for dogs.
