The short answer –
yes, antlers are safe and dogs can chew on them
! Deer andelk antlers are considered safer for dogs than rawhide, primarily due to the fact that they don’t easily splinter and are an all-natural chew. Antlers are also an extremely long-lasting treat in comparison to other dog chews.
Can deer antlers make dogs sick?
The most serious issue, however, is internal.
Antlers that break or splinter can get lodged in your dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines, causing dangerous blockages that could require emergency surgery
.
Why are antlers not good for dogs?
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.
Is it OK for dogs to chew on deer antlers?
On the one hand, most dogs love the taste of antlers and can get some important nutrients from antlers. But, on the other hand,
hard antler chews can cause broken teeth, internal blockages, and internal punctures if your dog swallows any particularly sharp pieces
.
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.
When should you throw out elk antlers?
Once the antler has been gnawed down to a swallowable size
, it’s important for the dog’s safety to throw it away and get a new one. Our Two Pound Bag of Medium Antlers is perfect for restocking.
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 deer 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.
Can elk antlers make dog sick?
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 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.
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).
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.
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 antlers for dogs smell?
A:
Antlers have a unique aroma and scent that dogs are attracted to due to their natural state and nutritional content
. Split antler chews may have a slight odor, but whole antler chews or tips with minimum spongy center exposed are virtually odorless (unless you make a habit of sticking them up your nose).
How long do you boil an antler for a dog?
Blanching requires placing the chunk of antler in boiling water for
one to two minutes
and then immediately immersing it in cold water. Boiling antler chunks will sterilize them, but because antler is essentially bone, you risk becoming brittle.
