Beef scalp

What is beef scalp?

Beef scalp is, as the name suggests, the skin from the head of a slaughtered cow. It is dried and processed before being sold as a chew for dogs. Beef scalp comes in different shapes, sizes and degrees of hardness. You can buy it with or without fur. Compared to other dried offcuts, beef scalp has the advantage that it hardly smells and is therefore more pleasant to the human nose.

What are the benefits of beef scalp for dogs?

Beef scalp has several benefits for your dog:

• It satisfies your dog's natural need to chew and provides relaxation and well-being. Chewing releases happiness hormones in dogs, which can also help them to cope with stress.
• It cleans your dog's teeth and gums and prevents tartar. The intensive chewing removes plaque and promotes blood flow to the gums.
• It is a good source of protein and minerals, which are important for your dog's health and immune system. Beef scalp is lean and contains hardly any fat or carbohydrates.
• It has a high satiety effect, which prevents your dog from overeating or begging. Beef scalp is low in calories and is therefore also suitable for overweight dogs.
• It can be tolerated by dogs with an allergy to other types of meat. Beef scalp is hypoallergenic and contains no artificial additives or preservatives.

What are the disadvantages of beef scalp for dogs?

Beef scalp also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of:

• It can cause digestive problems such as bloating or diarrhea in some dogs. This is because beef scalp is difficult to digest and expands in the stomach. You should therefore only give your dog small amounts and get him used to it slowly.
• In some dogs, it can lead to choking or injuries in the mouth. This is because beef scalp is very hard and can have sharp edges. You should therefore always make sure that your dog does not eat too quickly or too large pieces. If your dog has problems chewing or is in pain, you should give him softer chews or soak the beef scalp in water.
• It can lead to an intolerance or allergy in some dogs. This is because each dog reacts individually to different types of meat. If your dog shows signs such as itching, skin rash or diarrhea, you should stop giving him beef scalp and consult a vet.

How often and how much beef scalp can I give my dog?

The recommended amount and frequency of beef scalp depends on various factors, such as your dog's age, size, weight and activity level. As a rule of thumb, you should not give your dog more than 10% of its daily calorie requirement in chews. This corresponds to around 2 to 3 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.

You should also not give your dog beef scalp every day, but only as an occasional reward or activity. Too much beef scalp can upset your dog's nutritional balance and lead to obesity or deficiency symptoms. In addition, your dog may become accustomed to the taste and refuse his normal food.

What to consider when buying beef scalp?

If you want to buy beef scalp for your dog, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The origin and quality of the beef scalp. You should only buy beef scalp from controlled and species-appropriate animal husbandry that is free from hormones, antibiotics or harmful substances. You should also make sure that the beef scalp has been gently dried and not chemically treated.
• The shape and size of the beef scalp. You should choose the right shape and size for your dog to suit its chewing behavior and mouth size. Pieces that are too small or too large can be dangerous or not fun. You can choose between slabs, strips, pieces or rolls.
• The hardness and coat of the bovine scalp. You should choose the right hardness and hide for your dog to suit his chewing ability and preference. Pieces that are too hard or too soft can be boring or have no effect. You can choose between beef scalp with or without fur.