As you have found out, dogs have their preferences. Some on this board have had very unfortunate experiences with raw hide bones. (I can't seem to get the link in here but if you do Pet Talk search using the word "raw hide", you will find it.
I still use them, but with much vigilance. I've tried nylabones and my dogs only have sporadic and limited interest in them. Mine both love the real beef bones, but I can't use them because they will fight over them, even if I get one for each. I don't know the answer to your main question, are rawhides fattening? Maybe someone else will.



[This message has been edited by RachelJ (edited February 18, 2001).]