Quick answer: Pig ears are not toxic and most dogs can eat them without immediate harm, but they carry real risks: high fat content (15 to 30% depending on the brand) that can trigger pancreatitis, documented salmonella contamination and recall history, and a choking risk for dogs who gulp rather than chew. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, is overweight, is prone to pancreatitis, or tends to swallow treats in chunks, pig ears are not the right choice. For a safer, lower-fat, longer-lasting alternative, collagen chews are worth a look. A Fangz chew, for instance, lasts hours at minimum, and a single chew often lasts days to weeks depending on how hard your dog goes at it.
Pig ears have been sold as a "natural" dog treat for decades. Walk into any pet shop in Australia and you'll find them stacked near the register. They're cheap, dogs love them, and they feel like a wholesome option.
The problem is that "natural" and "safe" aren't the same thing. And the full picture on pig ears, including what's in them, what the FDA found in 2019, and what happens to a dog prone to pancreatitis, is a lot less straightforward than the packaging suggests.
Here's what you actually need to know.
What are pig ears for dogs?
Pig ears are exactly what they sound like: the outer ear of a pig, dried or smoked and sold as a chew treat. They're a single-ingredient product in theory, though the processing method varies significantly by brand. Some are simply air-dried. Many are smoked, deep-fried, or treated with preservatives to extend shelf life and boost palatability.
The outer ear consists mostly of cartilage and skin, which makes pig ears softer and more pliable than chews like antlers or yak. A medium-sized dog can typically finish one in 5 to 15 minutes.
What's the fat content in pig ears?
This is the part most brands don't put front and centre. Pig ears are high in fat, typically 15 to 30% fat on a dry-matter basis depending on the brand and preparation method, compared to roughly 65 to 75% crude protein. For context, a treat that is genuinely lean (like a collagen chew at around 1% fat) is in a completely different category nutritionally.
That fat load matters for a few reasons:
Pancreatitis risk. The pancreas produces the enzymes that digest fat. Feed a dog a high-fat treat (especially in a single sitting, especially a dog not used to them) and you can trigger pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition that ranges from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Certain breeds are more susceptible, including Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Yorkshire Terriers. Overweight dogs and older dogs face higher risk too.
Caloric load. One large pig ear can contain 100 to 150 calories. That's a significant portion of a small dog's daily intake from a single treat. The 10% rule (treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories) is easy to blow past with pig ears. For guidance on treat frequency, see our article on how many chews a day is safe for a dog.
Weight gain over time. A high-fat treat given regularly adds up quickly.
The salmonella recall history
In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert linking pig ear dog treats to a salmonella outbreak affecting both dogs and their owners. Multiple brands across the United States and Canada were recalled. The outbreak resulted in 154 human salmonella infections reported across 34 states, with 35 people hospitalised. Many of the affected treats were sourced from plants in China and Brazil.
This doesn't mean every pig ear on the market is contaminated. But it does mean:
- The supply chain for pig ears involves a lot of overseas processing, and quality control varies.
- Dogs can carry and shed salmonella without showing symptoms, which creates a transmission risk to humans in the household, particularly children and immunocompromised individuals.
- Handling pig ears and then touching your face (or letting your dog lick you) after feeding is a genuine, documented risk, not a theoretical one.
If you buy pig ears, choose brands with transparent Australian sourcing and verified food-safety certifications. Wash your hands after handling.
Do pig ears clean teeth?
Sometimes marketed as dental chews, pig ears don't earn that label. They're too soft and too quickly consumed to provide meaningful mechanical abrasion against plaque. A genuine dental benefit requires sustained chewing pressure against a firm substrate. Most dogs finish a pig ear in a session that's too short to do much.
For how chewing actually cleans teeth, see how chewing cleans a dog's teeth.
Are pig ears safe for puppies?
For puppies with developing digestive systems, the high fat content creates more risk than for adult dogs. The salmonella concern is also heightened for young dogs with less robust immune systems. Most vets recommend holding off on pig ears until a puppy is at least 6 months old, and even then, going slowly.
Fangz collagen chews are suitable from 4 months. If you're looking for long-lasting puppy-safe options, see best long-lasting chews for small dogs and puppies.
Can pig ears cause blockages?
For most dogs who chew methodically, pig ears break down into soft, digestible pieces. The cartilage is not as hard and splintery as bone. The risk rises sharply for dogs that gulp large pieces rather than chewing thoroughly. If your dog is a "vacuum" eater who finishes treats in a few bites without much actual chewing, pig ears carry a genuine choking and obstruction risk.
Pig ear comparison: how do they stack up?
| Chew type | Fat content | Duration (medium dog) | Salmonella risk | Tooth-safety | Suitable for sensitive stomachs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig ear | 15-30% | 5-15 min | Documented recall history | Low risk (soft) | No (high fat) |
| Yak chew | Low | 30-60+ min | Low | High risk (fractures teeth) | Generally yes |
| Bully stick | ~3-5% | 20-45 min | Low-moderate | Low risk | Moderate |
| Rawhide | Variable | 30-60 min | Moderate | Low risk, choking risk | No (additives) |
| Collagen chew (Fangz) | ~1% | Hours per session; one chew lasts days to weeks | Very low | No risk (softens with saliva) | Yes |
The fat content gap between pig ears and a collagen chew is striking. Where pig ears run at 15 to 30% fat depending on the brand, Fangz collagen chews come in at about 1% fat, with 93% protein. If your dog needs a treat that won't blow their calorie budget or risk a pancreatitis flare, that difference matters. You can build a Fangz pack by size and flavour to see what suits your dog.
Where pig ears fall short
High fat. The biggest practical concern for most dogs. Not appropriate for dogs on a diet, dogs with pancreatitis history, or sensitive-stomached dogs.
Short duration. Most dogs finish them quickly. If you're looking for something that occupies your dog for more than a few minutes, pig ears won't deliver.
Supply chain concerns. Much of the global pig ear supply is imported and processed overseas. The 2019 recall was a real-world consequence of that.
Not a dental chew. Despite appearing alongside dental products in stores, the chewing session is too brief to clean teeth effectively.
Where pig ears are fine
If your dog is healthy, at a normal weight, has no history of pancreatitis, chews rather than gulps, and you're buying from a reputable Australian-sourced brand with clear processing disclosure, the occasional pig ear is unlikely to cause harm. Some dogs genuinely love them and tolerate them well.
The key word is occasional. A weekly treat for a healthy adult dog is different from a daily snack.
A cleaner, lower-fat alternative
Fangz collagen chews are made from 3 ingredients: beef collagen, beef gelatine, and one superfood powder (Pumpkin, Beetroot, Spirulina, or Goat's Milk). About 93% protein. About 1% fat. No preservatives, no additives, no overseas processing.
They're air-dried slowly over 2 to 4 weeks in a human-grade facility in Brisbane, which creates the density that makes them last. Unlike pig ears, a Fangz chew lasts hours at minimum per session, and a single chew often lasts days to weeks depending on how hard your dog goes at it. "Hours, not minutes" is the floor. And unlike yak chews and antlers, which are pressure-cured to rock hardness and are responsible for vet-reported tooth fractures, Fangz softens with saliva. No fracture risk.
Not the cheapest treat on the shelf. But a pig ear that leads to a vet visit for pancreatitis is not cheap either.
Try a Fangz chew and see how long your dog actually takes.
Related reading
- Best collagen dog chews in Australia
- Are bully sticks safe for dogs?
- Best long-lasting dog chews in Australia (2026)
- Are yak chews safe for dogs?
Sources
- FDA Safety Alert, July 2019: "FDA Warns Pet Owners Not to Feed Pig Ear Dog Treats Due to Salmonella Risk" (fda.gov)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Salmonella Outbreak Investigation, 2019: Multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to pig ear dog treats (cdc.gov)
- Brooks W, DVM, DABVP (2021): "Pancreatitis in Dogs" (Veterinary Partner, vin.com/veterinarypartner)
- The 10% rule for treats: widely cited in veterinary nutrition guidelines; sourced from WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines