Pig ears

What are pig ears?

Pig ears as a treat for dogs consist of the whole ear of the pig. For this purpose, the pig's ears are cut off and cleaned after slaughter. There are various ways and means of preserving pig ears and preparing them as a treat for dogs. However, the basic principle is the same in all cases: the water is removed from the ears by heating or drying so that they do not spoil. Some manufacturers also add spices or preservatives to improve the taste or shelf life.

What are the advantages of pig's ears?

Pig ears have several advantages as a snack for dogs:

• They are natural and contain no artificial additives if they have not been subsequently treated.
• They are rich in protein and provide your dog with valuable amino acids for muscle building and regeneration.
• They are low in fat compared to other animal products such as rumen or cowhide bones.
• They are easy to digest and do not put too much strain on your dog's gastrointestinal tract.
• They are tooth-friendly and help your dog to clean his teeth and prevent tartar.
• They promote chewing and stimulate your dog's salivation, which is also good for dental health.
• They keep your dog busy and provide a long and exciting chewing task that challenges him mentally and physically.

What are the disadvantages of pig ears?

Pig ears also have some disadvantages as a snack for dogs:

• They can contain Aujeszky's viruses, which can be fatal to dogs. These viruses are transmitted through raw pork and lead to incurable encephalitis in dogs. Although the viruses are normally killed by heating or drying, this may not happen sufficiently. Therefore, you should only buy pig ears from trustworthy producers who guarantee high quality.
• They can trigger allergies if your dog is sensitive to pork. This can manifest itself as skin rashes, itching, diarrhea or vomiting. If you notice that your dog shows such symptoms after eating pig ears, you should stop giving them and consult a vet.
• They can promote obesity if you give your dog too many of them. Pig ears are low in fat, but still high in calories. Therefore, you should only offer them as an occasional treat and adjust the amount to his daily food ration.
• They can cause injuries if your dog eats them too quickly or too greedily. They can injure themselves or even choke on sharp edges or splinters in their mouth or throat. You should therefore always keep an eye on your dog when he is chewing and provide him with plenty of water.