Many dog owners give their dogs or know of pig ear dog chews. They are greasy goodness that all breeds and sizes enjoy. There are some major risks associated with these adored dog chews and that is their potential for carrying Salmonella. If you dog particularly loves Pig Ears this does not mean you cannot continue to give them these treats, however make sure you know where they are being sourced, the country of origin and if any problems arise consult the company and manufacturer right away.
There have been many cases of Salmonella in the US as recent as July 2019. Many of these pig ear dog chews have been recalled from the companies, and shelves do to the potential spread of the bacterial contamination.
During this period of time Pig Ears across 30 states were recalled when the FDA and CDC (Center for Disease Control) after a possible link between the outbreak of salmonella that is resistant to numerous antibiotics.
According to CNBC, “34 people who were infected said they came in contact with a dog before falling ill and 17 people reported contact with pig ear treats or dogs who were fed the treats before their diagnosis. The CDC said it does not collect data on the number of animals diagnosed with salmonella and the FDA said it’s currently unaware of the number of dogs that may have been infected.”
The CDC additionally made the following statement, “Even if some of the recalled treats were fed to a dog and and no one got sick, consumers should not continue feeding their pets the treats.”
If your dog loves these all natural ear treats what do you do when you can no longer give them their desired chews? Are their any alternatives? Luckily we prepared a list of the Top 5 Best Pig Ear Alternatives for when Pig Ear Recalls occur.
NUMBER 5
The first type of treats on our list are Beef Trachea Dog Chews, although they may not be ears these treats are full of natural vitamins and minerals ideal for your dog. They contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin which helps relieve joint and hip pain in older dogs as well as assisting with mobility of the joints in all other ages. Beef Trachea chews come from free range grass fed cattle and are produced in many countries where farmers have been herding for centuries. For instance, USA, Canada, South America, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, among others.
NUMBER 4
Number 4 on our list are Better Than! brand ear alternatives. Although these dog treats are man made and not made from real single ingredient animal parts these dog chews are made in the USA. They also come in many different flavor profiles for all fur babies to enjoy as well as added nutrients. For example, Smokey Bacon Flavor, Cheese And Bacon, as well as Peanut Butter. Cheese and Bacon have ingredients specialized for helping benefit skin and coat of your dog, and the Peanut Butter flavor in comparison has added benefits to the hips and joints similar to the Beef Trachea Chews.
NUMBER 3
The next Pig Ear alternative on our list are Lamb Ear Dog Chews. Lamb Ears are very similar to Pig Ear dog treats however they are single ingredient chews made only from Lambs instead. They undergo a strict washing, and cooking process that follow USDA and FDA guidelines. These types of treats are typically found only in Lamb rich countries such as New Zealand, and Turkey. However, they are typically smaller than Pig Ears they are sure to be tasty chew for all sizes and breeds.
NUMBER 2
The chew that takes the second spot on our best alternative list are Goat Ear Dog Chews. Goat Ears are longer and larger versions of the Lamb Ears since Goats usually have longer ears than their smaller lamb counterparts. These treats may be ideal for bigger breeds that are aggressive/power chewers as they will provide a longer chewing time with the same hypoallergenic traits as the Lamb Ears.
NUMBER 1
Last but not least on our list are the most popular and well known alternatives for Pig Ear Dog Chews which come from all natural free raised grass fed cattle. Cow Ears Dog Chews are typically larger than even the Pig Ear Dog Chews but much less greasy. A long lasting dog chew for all breeds and sizes these cow ear dog chews have many added benefits. For instance, Assisting with dental health, anxiety, and boredom in your dogs daily life as well as also containing Chondroitin which assists with the joint health in your dogs.
Here at Dog Parent Academy we strive to keep pup parents informed about treats, chews, training and more. Feel free to check out our social media and our new shop which supports Dog Rescue, and No Kill Shelters in the USA.
Happy Treating!
-DPA
