While
most veterinarians advise staying away from antlers for dogs
, if you do choose to give your dog an antler, it is a good idea to supervise him while your dog chews on it (or any chew toy).
How do you prepare deer antlers for dogs?
Once you’ve confirmed the freshness of your antler, it’s time to make it more “dog-friendly.”
Using hand and power tools, click, snip or saw the pointy ends of your antlers off, and sand down rough surfaces to avoid anything that could puncture or irritate your dog’s mouth
.
Should I boil deer antler before giving to dog?
The best and easiest way to sterilize deer antlers is by blanching them
. 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.
Do you need to clean deer antlers for dogs?
Boiling a Deer Antler to Soften it
If the deer antler splinters when your dog is eating it, they will need surgery for gastrointestinal blockage. However, you can boil a deer antler to kill off bacteria.
Deer antlers from the woods need to be properly sanitized
.
How long should you let your dog chew on an antler?
Gnawing at the antler helps to remove plaque off your dog’s teeth and therefore keep them clean and white. It is shown that if a dog chews on an antler for
thirty minutes per day
it can reduce the plaque on their teeth by 70%.
Are deer antlers too hard for dogs?
Firstly,
antlers are so hard they can crack or fracture your dog’s teeth
. Not only are broken teeth painful, but they can also become infected. Therefore, if a tooth has become damaged and the pulp cavity exposed, it must either be extracted or a tooth canal performed.
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 you soak antlers in broth for dogs?
If your dogs grow bored with their antlers,
heat up some beef broth. Remove the broth from heat and put your antlers in to soak for a few hours
. Let the antlers dry and give them back to your dogs. They will greet them like they’re brand new!
What is safe for dogs to chew on?
Rubber Chew Toys
(Best for Inhalers, Destroyers, and Nibblers) So long as they’re not too flimsy, rubber chew toys often represent the safest options for many dogs. The best rubber chew toys are those that are firm enough to stand up to serious chewing, yet have enough “give” so they don’t cause tooth damage.
Can deer 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
.)
How do I get my dog to chew antlers?
If your dog is not attracted to the antler chew right away, or if it’s completely new to them,
coax them to taste it and get it in their mouth, or smear it with a little peanut butter or something else they like
. Once your dog gets a taste and knows it’s meant for chewing on, they will fall in love with it.
Are naturally shed antlers safe for dogs?
Health benefits: North American deer and elk antlers last a long time, rarely split or chip and are non-allergic (great news for dogs with allergies). Antlers are also known to improve a dog’s coat. Sustainable and humane:
Deer and elk shed their antlers in a natural process with no harm to the animal
.
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).
Can you give puppies antlers?
Antlers are also high in protein, this too can cause stomach upset especially in young dogs
. We recommend the following “chew toys”: Sterile bones, Nylabones, and the occasional rawhide ,(UPDATE rawhides are no longer a recommended chew) these are the same chew toys that are given while they are in training.
What are the healthiest chews for dogs?
- Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz.
- Greenies.
- C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT Chews.
- Milk-Bone Brushing Chews.
- OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews.
- Purina DentaLife Chews.
- Hill’s Prescription Diet Dental Chews.
- Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews.
Are raw hides good for dogs?
Rawhide is bad for dogs
for a number of reasons. Topping the list of risks associated with rawhide are: contamination, digestive distress, choking hazard, and intestinal blockage. These concerns are so big, that the Humane Society and ASPCA both discourage the consumption of rawhide for pets.
Are pig ears bad for dogs?
Are Pig Ears Safe for dogs?
Yes, pig’s ears are generally considered safe for dogs though there are some risks
. If your dog bites of large chunks they could cause intestinal obstruction. Also, if you don’t know the provenance of a pig’s ear, it may contain salmonella.
How do you sterilize deer antlers?
After giving them a good scrub,
fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt, bring it to a boil, and submerge the antlers. Allow them to boil for 30 minutes to remove any bacteria
. Once your antlers are clean, allow them to air dry in the sun for a day.
Can deer antlers cause allergies in dogs?
Health benefits: North American deer and elk antlers last a long time, rarely split or chip and are
non-allergic
(great news for dogs with allergies). Antlers are also known to improve a dog’s coat.
What is the hardest antler for dogs?
Whitetail is among the densest and hardest of antlers. Whitetail antlers are typically whiter than
mule deer antlers
. These antlers have a lower marrow ratio and can be a very enduring antler chew.
