Are Raw Pig Ears ok? (not the raw hide/treated/processed pet shop types)

[Old_Shamrock]

My Soft Coated Wheaten has bad skin allergies. I just adopted him from a Rescue. He was fed dry commercial pet food all his life. I am transitioning him to a "BARF" fresh/raw food diet to make him healthier and giving him flax seed oil to help the skin.

As a occasional addition to his diet, is it ok to give raw pig ears?

I bought some at the meat market/supermarket and I intended to sterilize the ear by soaking them in boiling water for about 30 seconds before feeding him one. This was recommended in a pet book.

He is allergic to any of the treated types that one buys in pet stores as well as to any of the treated raw hide products - hence the necessity to go with the more natural options.

There are threads about pig ears on this website that I checked but nobody seemed to specify if they were using treated/processed/smoked or raw fresh pig ears.

Thank you.

[Rip's Girl]

I personally don't see why NOT to give one... But if I may ask, why pig ears? I'm just wondering if there is anything especially good in them that would make you want to feed them, instead of just giving the dog a recreational bone or a foot, or something else? (I'm new to raw feeding and just want an opinion. )

The only time I've seen a raw pig's ear fed is when someone gives the dog an entire pig's head... But I don't think it would hurt them..

[Moo]

The only issue I have about pig ears is the high fat content in them. Makes it hard to maintain a good weight. As Rip says, any particular reason why you chose pig ears? I would choose a good rubber toy for chewing, and if you want treats without preservatives you can give fresh fruit and veggies.

[erdog3]

most of the discussions were in reference to the smoked ones and their high salt content, and flactulence...I don't see the harm either with the unsmoked natural meat.
Just be careful that your diet is a well balanced one with all the correct vitamins and nutrients.