Can Puppies Chew on Pig Ears? | The Hidden Risks

You spot a bag of pig ears at the pet store and think, “These look natural — just dried pig ears, nothing artificial.” They seem like a perfect chew for your teething puppy. Many owners reach for them as a rawhide alternative, assuming natural means safe.

The catch is that pig ears have been linked to repeated Salmonella outbreaks. Federal health agencies now advise against giving them to any dog, including puppies. This article breaks down the specific risks, the age factors, and safer chews that satisfy your puppy’s urge to gnaw without the same health concerns.

Why Pig Ears Seem Like a Good Choice

Pig ears are single-ingredient treats — just dried cartilage and skin. They’re high in protein and offer a long-lasting chew that many dogs love. For owners trying to avoid rawhide (which can contain chemical residues), pig ears appear to be a cleaner option.

The problem is that the processing and sourcing of pig ears are inconsistent. They come from various countries with different safety standards, and the drying process doesn’t reliably kill bacteria like Salmonella. A study published in PubMed found that Salmonella has been isolated on commercially produced pig ear treats, and these treats have been confirmed as vehicles of human salmonellosis.

So while the ingredient list looks simple, the contamination risk changes the calculus entirely.

Why the “Wait Until 6 Months” Advice Sticks

You might hear that puppies need to be at least six months old before trying a pig ear. That advice comes from a practical place: younger pups have smaller airways, more sensitive stomachs, and a tendency to swallow chunks without fully chewing. But the age recommendation alone doesn’t solve the Salmonella problem — and that’s the bigger concern.

• Choking hazard: Pig ears can break into large pieces. A strong chewer or an overeager puppy may try to swallow a chunk whole, risking airway blockage. Supervision helps but doesn’t eliminate the risk.
• Digestive sensitivity: Puppy digestive systems are still developing. The high fat content of pig ears can cause diarrhea or vomiting, especially in small breeds or pups with sensitive stomachs.
• Bacterial contamination: This is the headliner. The CDC’s investigation found multiple Salmonella strains on pig ear treats, and the bacteria can survive on the treat for months. Even a single chew can expose your puppy.
• Human health risk: Salmonella doesn’t stop with your dog. Touching the treat, your puppy’s mouth, or contaminated surfaces can transfer bacteria to you and your family. Mayo Clinic notes that people can get Salmonella from their pets and their food.

Some sources suggest that if you do consider pig ears, you should wait until the puppy is at least six months old and always supervise. But given the official CDC and FDA recommendations against any pig ear use, that advice feels like a compromise most veterinarians would not endorse.

What the CDC and FDA Found — and What They Recommend

In 2019, the FDA and CDC launched a multi-state investigation into human Salmonella infections linked to pig ear dog treats. The result was clear: they urged retailers to stop selling pig ear treats and advised pet owners not to buy or feed any pig ear products, including those already in homes.

The CDC pig ear warning remains active as of 2025. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirmed that pig ear treats remain a Salmonella risk even after the 2019 outbreak ended. Voluntary recalls happened, but the basic issue — inconsistent processing — hasn’t been resolved across the industry.

In puppies, salmonellosis can cause diarrhea (sometimes with blood), vomiting, lethargy, and fever. In rare cases, the infection becomes systemic and requires hospitalization. Because puppies have less mature immune systems, they may be at higher risk for severe illness.

Safer Chews That Satisfy the Same Urge

The good news is that plenty of chews offer the same mental stimulation and dental benefits without the Salmonella concern. Here’s a comparison of common puppy-safe options. Note: always supervise any chew session, regardless of the product.

Each of these options has its own pros and cons, but none carries the same known Salmonella risk that pig ears do. For a teething puppy, rubber toys with frozen fillings can be especially soothing.

The Science Behind the Salmonella Risk

The concern with pig ears isn’t theoretical. A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Food Protection specifically examined the survival rate of Salmonella on cooked pig ear pet treats. The researchers found that Salmonella can persist on pig ears even after cooking, and that these treats have been repeatedly linked to human illness.

That study, indexed on Salmonella on pig ears, confirmed that pet treats like pig ears can serve as vehicles for salmonellosis in humans. The bacteria can transfer from the treat to the dog’s mouth, then to your hands, then to your food or surfaces. Children and immunocompromised individuals are especially vulnerable.

Because the processing methods vary widely and the drying heat may not reach temperatures high enough to kill all bacteria, the risk is persistent. Even high-quality brands have been implicated in recalls.

Given this evidence, the risk-to-reward ratio tilts heavily away from pig ears for puppies. The chewing benefit can be replicated with safer alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Pig ears carry a well-documented Salmonella risk that makes them inadvisable for any dog, especially puppies with developing immune systems. Firm age recommendations — like waiting until six months — don’t address the bacterial contamination that federal health agencies have warned about. Safer chews like bully sticks, rubber toys, or yak chews can provide the same engagement without the danger.

If your puppy is showing signs of gastrointestinal upset after any chew treat, or if you’re unsure about what’s safest for your pup’s size and age, your veterinarian can recommend appropriate options. They’ll consider your puppy’s specific breed, weight, and chewing style to suggest chews that are both satisfying and lower-risk.