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antlers as chew toys?

Huskerkid

Well-Known Member
yes most pet stores will sell either deer or elk. My CC prefers the elk antler and would agree with most of the above posters that they last a really long time (so it kind of off sets the expense).
 
Our vet says that antlers are bad for puppies to chew on. Anyone here had any issues with it? She says they are too hard for their teeth and can break them.
 

m0rg4n

Well-Known Member
We had found antlers lying around the house that we sawed up into manageable, tine-free pieces for the dogs. They do love them. It seems like they only chew the edges though. Interest in them waxes and wanes, however. But that's probably because my dad likes to buy frozen marrow bones from the butcher to spoil the dogs with.
 

Yamizuma

Well-Known Member
Tali had no interest in the one we bought her until Sid started chewing on it. He got the scent of it going, and started on the marrow of it....and now they both love the antlers. Friends of ours who already had antlers say when their dog looses interest in it, they just sand it a bit and that results in renewed interest. So far they and bones are the only toy that lasts more than a few days with these two doggies.
 

hahajjhaha

Active Member
Our Neo has destructed everything, including large pieces of furniture. She has never broken or chipped the antler or her teeth. I suppose there is a certain amount of caution needed for anything a dog chews. Brunhilde (our neo) lost interest in the antler for a while then we boiled it in beef broth for 30 minutes. She has chewed it down to half its original size (still no splintering even with the boiling). We used the left over broth in an ice tray and froze it for an icy treat. If you are worried about boiling it, try soaking it in broth, I have no idea which method produces better results. We also love the Himalayan bone, they seem to last longer than most bones (nylabones freak me out being plastic and all). The antler was worth the price IMO. Good luck!!
 

forty6brrrr

Well-Known Member
Cleo loves her antler and the vet said their great at keeping their teeth clean and are extremely hard to break. the just widdle down as their teeth constantly grind it down. Worth the money esp since they last so long
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
I think it is okay as long as the antler is big enough so the dog cannot clamp down on the antler otherwise it can cause fractures. This is just a tip from the ebay seller I buy antlers from because his lab has slab fractures (whatever that means) from chewing antlers that he was able to clamp down on. My dogs been chewing on them fine for a year now. They are about 2 in thick.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
I had been holding off but have also read bad stories of dozens of dogs getting Slab Fractures all the way up into the gum line requiring removal of that tooth. These are mostly not mastiff dogs but some larger breeds like Labs and Rottweilers. I have decided I will not be buying any antlers for my dogs.
This is not something I want to take a chance with.
brokenteeth3.jpg
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
I had been holding off but have also read bad stories of dozens of dogs getting Slab Fractures all the way up into the gum line requiring removal of that tooth. These are mostly not mastiff dogs but some larger breeds like Labs and Rottweilers. I have decided I will not be buying any antlers for my dogs.
This is not something I want to take a chance with.
brokenteeth3.jpg

Omg that looks super painful!