Are hooves ok for snacks?

[BILL S]

Lexie loves those hard hooves to chew on. We supervise her to make sure she is not swallowing them. Are these ok for our boxers to have, other then the smell of them when they get wet. BILL

[ASTNC]

I have read on another board that there have been dogs that have died from swallowing small triangular parts that broke off from these. One vendor would not even sell them any more because of this. If it were me I would not take that risk...even if they are watched. Large marrow bones (I have been told) are far safer and healthy. This is just my opinion....I do not take any chances.

[rumsgirl]

I use to give hooves when they first came out years ago, until one day I was walking and got a splinter in my foot from one that My dog had, after that I have not given them any. I figure if they splinter into the capret and went into my foot where is it going in my dog.
I do however give them fresh trimmed horse hooves, which do not splinter and are good for them.

[boxermom5]

I have also heard horror stories, and after stepping on one barefoot and slicing my foot open I don't use them either. My girls like to chew on those dinosaur shaped nubby bones made by nylabone. Tenaia is an extremely strong chewer and this particular item has proven to be pretty durable. (she's had the same bone for almost a year and it is only missing a small piece of the tail) The other nylabone products have NOT held up at all and ended up in the trash in less than an hour!

[AvalancheBoxer]

I have given mine hooves also. My vets turned me off from this because they said they see hundreds of broken and busted teeth each year caused by hooves.