Lastly, antlers will last your dog a long time. The average lifespan of an antler chew can be as long as
six months to a year
. With that said, this will depend on the size and cut of the antler, the hardness of the core, and how aggressive of a chewer your dog is.
Can dogs chew on antlers too much?
You should consider, though, that
antlers and other excessively hard chews are a common cause of broken teeth in dogs
. Broken teeth are extremely painful and can lead to abscesses and infections.
Can dogs eat antlers every day?
Are antlers digestible? As your dog grinds their deer antler down, they will be treated to bits and pieces of the goodness inside.
These small pieces are completely safe for dogs to eat and are completely digestible
. They even pack their own nutritional punch.
When should you throw away antlers for dogs?
Remove the antler if he is becoming too aggressive with his gnawing to avoid dental fractures. Throw away the antler
when it has worn down to a small size which your dog can fit entirely in his mouth
.
Do antlers give dogs diarrhea?
Do not give puppies any kind of antlers to chew on. (
The high protein content can cause stomach upset and diarrhea
.) And finally, if you do decide to give your dog an antler chew (or any other chew as well), always supervise them to keep them safe! No chew product is 100% safe and healthy for every dog.
Can antlers make dogs sick?
Antlers are natural products, and if they have been prepared properly, they should not contain anything nasty that can be toxic to your dog or make them sick. However,
chewing antlers can still make your dog unwell
.
What age can puppies have antlers?
Although many split antlers are suggested to be softer and more suitable for puppies, they are still a risk. So, it wouldn’t be advisable to give a puppy any antler chew until their adult teeth have come through entirely and their bones are more mature. Therefore, a minimum age of
eight to ten months
would be sensible.
Are antlers bad for puppies?
Overall,
antlers are safe chews for your dog to enjoy with proper supervision
. They are a cruelty-free and sustainable chew that will last your dog a long time. Elk and deer antlers are rich in protein and a natural source of many different nutrients for healthy dogs.
What age can puppies have antlers to chew?
Also, puppy teeth fall out at around 4-6 months. So we took the plunge and allowed our puppies
under 4 months
to play and chew on the deer antlers. Our pups immediately loved the antlers and had no issues with cracked teeth and they barely put a dent in the antlers.
How do you soften a dog’s antlers?
As a quick summary, one of the most common ways to soften a deer antler for your dog is to
soak the antlers in water for 1 or 2 days
, depending on how aggressive your dog chews. The longer that you soak the deer antler, the softer it will get.
Why do dogs like to chew on antlers?
Chewing antlers is very good for dogs in many ways.
It helps keep their teeth clean, expends energy, keeps dogs out of trouble and out from underfoot
. Deer antlers for dogs are also full of nutrients such as calcium.
Are deer antlers safe for dogs teeth?
Here’s why antlers are NOT safe for dogs: Antlers, regardless of how they are cut or what animal they come from, pose a hazard for dogs for three reasons:
Antlers can cause painful fractured teeth
. Smaller antler pieces could pose a choking hazard.
Can dogs choke on antlers?
Antlers are hard enough to withstand the force of another deer’s antlers in battle, which means they’re definitely hard enough to break your dog’s teeth. Like bones,
antlers can break and splinter
. These splinters can get lodged in your dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines.
What is the best thing for a dog to chew on?
Offer your dog some edible things to chew, like
bully sticks, pig ears, rawhide bones, pig skin rolls or other natural chews
. Dogs can sometimes choke on edible chews, especially if they bite off and swallow large hunks.
Can dogs eat bleached antlers?
The short answer is-
YES!
Antlers are great for dogs because they are all natural, do not splinter, long lasting, clean your dog’s teeth, and do not cause stomach upset.
Do wolves chew on antlers?
When elk shed their antlers in late winter, forest creatures large and small race to freshly dropped antlers in search of valuable minerals. Rodents like mice, squirrels and porcupines are the most common culprits, but
biologists have observed wolves, coyotes and even bears chewing on sheds.
What type of antler is best for dogs?
Whole elk antlers
are a good choice for dogs that like to chew but are not heavy duty all day chewers. Upon request we can provide elk antler chews from the base of the antler (denser and longer lasting) or from the upper part of the antler (softer and easier to chew).
