I'm not a dog mommy Nazi, I think an occassional Pig Ear or rawhide - while supervised, would be okay, but not every day.
One link
Alta Vista Animal Hospital Homepage
Question: Is it alright to give our dog pig's ears as a treat? We have been told that it is unhealthy and could cause intestinal upsets or even death. What is the truth?
Pig's ear treats have a high fat content and can be fattening, eventually leading to obesity. They can also cause stomach upsets in some dogs. Because they have are high in fat, they can irritate the pancreas, causing pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. This results in vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Pig's ear treats can also be a source of Salmonella bacteria. The federal government recently issued a warning that pig's ear dog treats from a number of manufacturers were contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and other serious long-term complications. Some pets who become infected may not show clinicals signs.
These products can also be a risk to humans, according to the Health Canada warning. Transmission of the bacteria to humans can be via direct handling of contaminated product or handling of infected pets who may have become infected. For this reason, owners are advised to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after handling pig's ear treats. Better yet, consult your veterinarian about these products or avoid them altogether.
