Safety of Pig Ears for Dogs

The high fat content of pig ear treats is one of the tasty reasons dogs love to chew on them. It's also a reason why they shouldn't do so too often, according to the Vet Info website. A cap of 20 percent total dietary fat is recommended for canines to maintain a healthy weight. Most commercially-produced pig ear treats exceed that amount.

From March 9, 2011 to June 3, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration supported voluntary and self-imposed product recalls of pig ear treats from six different pet food manufacturers due to concerns regarding salmonella. The Breed Trust website considered these moves "alarming" and listed contact information as well as product specifications for each manufacturer. Salmonella is a food-borne bacteria best known for causing diarrhea. Raw foods such as pig ears that have not been fully processed often carry salmonella. It is killed through heating, which is how pig ears are prepared for canine consumption. The risk for salmonella exposure exists when the pig ears are not appropriately heated to bacteria-killing temperatures.

Pig ears cause trouble for canine digestive systems in a couple of ways. The first is that the high fat content can be difficult to digest. A dog with a sensitive stomach can end up experiencing nausea. The size of the pig's ear treat can be challenging for a smaller dog to nibble down to a manageable swallowing and digestible size. Large chunks of pig's ear can get lodged in the esophagus causing blockages and choking. Further down the digestive tract, bits of pig ear that remain intact due to incomplete digestion have also caused blockages in the small intestines.

Receiving accurate information regarding any recalls of pet foods is an important step in choosing what to feed your canine companion. The Humane Society of the United States and the Food and Drug Administration of the federal Health and Human Services each maintain online lists detailing mandatory and voluntary recalls of pet food, including pig ear treats for dogs.