Deer Antlers For Dogs- Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, And 3 FAQs!

• Always watch your dog whenever he holds an antler.
• Pick the correct size– Not one that is excessively small for the dog to consume, yet not so extensive that they cannot gnaw on it efficiently.
• Release the antler if he is evolving too aggressive with his chewing to prevent dental fractures.
• Toss away the antler when it has modelled down to a small size that your dog can fit entirely in his mouth.

What are Deer Antlers?

Antlers are exceptional to the deer family and show up on more than sixty species of male deer. They are made of a bone-like material, which arises as cartilage but then gradually mineralizes. Antlers are rid each year, and a new one develops for the breeding season. During this time, they are highly soft, streaming with blood, and wrapped in a delicate layer known as velvet. Towards the end of their development, the blood flow arrests, and the antler begins mineralizing, ready to engrave females and fight off contesting males.

Antlers are generally mistaken for horns, but antlers and horns are highly different configurations. Horns can be located on both females and males, unlike antlers which are usually only on males. Horns include a core of bone, wrapped in a coating of keratin, similar to our fingernails, and are enduring structures that do not shed.

Although antlers are inherently shed yearly, most utilized for dog treats are products of the hunting initiative. This way, none of the tracked animals goes to waste. Nevertheless, most dogs like renewed deer antlers instead of the ones parching out in the sunshine for weeks before they are reaped.

Once reaped, the antlers are trimmed down to size, and the strong points are released or ground down. They are then whitened to sanitize them. (Bone by-products must never be boiled entirely as it can cause them to be brittle). That is ultimately the processing that is achieved, so they are natural products!

Types Of Deer Antler For Dogs

Natural antler chews can come from numerous sources. Each kind has various textures. Deer antlers for dogs can maintain a more rigid texture than other antlers. They come in a broad range of sizes to choose the right fit for the dog’s height and chewing manners.

Elk antlers for canines usually are enormous in size and can usually be available in a separate form. Elk antlers differ in density based on which portion of the antler is chosen. Moose antlers for dogs are more delicate than other antlers and are often marketed in different cuts and shapes to pick what works for your dog. You can also find other kinds of “antler” chews created from water buffalo horns.

Benefits of Deer Antlers for Dogs

Antlers are created using mainly two elements- calcium and phosphorus, but furthermore include other essential minerals like potassium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, and zinc. These minerals are essential for keeping muscles and bones strong.

The primary health advantage of deer antlers is their use in assisting in dental care for the dog. Chewing helps to clear plaque on their teeth and keep them hygienic. Most dental goodies on the market are either packed with calories or crispy and can break off in the canine’s mouth. Deer antlers do not fall in either of these categories and are an excellent answer to helping the dog preserve a healthy mouth.

So, are the antlers coming from diverse deer all identical? Not at all. Elk antlers are known to be relatively delicate and suitable for smaller breeds or periodic chewers. Antlers from more aboriginal species of deer, like red or fallow deer, are more rigid and better fitting for bigger dogs and more extreme chewers. You can furthermore purchase reindeer antlers, which are identical to deer antlers, apart from the point that they can also be gathered from males and females.

Disadvantages & Risks of Deer Antlers for Dogs

Even though deer antlers for dogs might seem like a fantastic treat, they come with certain risks. As antlers are extremely rigid or stiff, if the dog is highly aggressive when it comes to gnawing, he will be in danger of cracking the teeth. This can generate the pulp to become revealed and is an excruciating procedure. To lessen the chances of this occurring, you must always watch your dog when he is chewing on a deer antler.

The other consideration is the chance of choking on or ingesting the antler, which could generate a life-threatening obstacle. Fortunately, antlers do not break off in parts or shatter as bones do, and so this is a genuine issue when the deer antler has been modelled down to a little-sized piece that could be eaten. As a rule of thumb, if the dog can readily fit it entirely in his mouth, it is tiny. In this circumstance, when the antler has evolved that small, it must be tossed away immediately and brought a new one.

Antlers and Dental Health

Perhaps the greatest irony when it arrives at hard chews such as antlers is that we, as dog owners, think we are aiding to keep the canines’ teeth neat. After all, gnawing assists reduce tartar and plaque buildup, and it also turns destructive inclinations and anxiety into a proper outlet. For owners of strong chewers that ruin traditional chew toys in a matter of hours, deer antlers seem like a present from nature itself.

It would be best to consider those deer antlers and other overly complex chews are a typical cause of shattered teeth in dogs. Broken teeth are deeply painful and can result in infections and abscesses. While the dog’s suffering usually is sufficient of a barrier, a broken tooth costs typically hundreds of dollars in restoration or removal, offering a monetary incentive, and a moral one, to evaluate carefully whether antlers are the correct chew item for the individual dog.

Deer Antlers for Puppies

Deer antlers are the proper treats for pups, particularly when they are growing teeth to reduce the pain of their adult teeth reaching through. However, they should be delivered with caution as pups are more at risk of ingesting objects. Thus, be sure you choose a big enough size that cannot be ingested yet short enough for the pooch to still munch on it effectively.

What to Do If Your Dog Doesn’t Like Antlers?

Since deer antlers are neither greasy nor smelly, they might not be as attractive as other goodies to the dog. However, if the dog does not appear to like them, try buying a deer antler that has been split lengthways. In this manner, the softer centre is revealed, making it more manageable for the dog to get to the more delicious section. Some people also suggest wetting it beneath the tap or sanding an area to improve its appeal.

Alternatives to Deer Antlers For Dogs

Not all dogs like having deer antlers for their chewing purpose, so here are some choices if that’s the case:

1. Dental Chews

These typically come in the shape of sticks, which enable clear the plaque from the teeth as they are chewed through. They are outstanding to enhance your dog’s teeth, but in contrast to deer antlers, they are not as significant, long-lasting, and packed with calories.

2. Knuckle Bones

These are famous true-to-life dog treats. The canine can chew to engage them and maintain their teeth healthy; nevertheless, they are far less secure than antlers. They can crack and break off in pieces, resulting in foreign body obstacles and gastrointestinal impairment.

3. Cow Hooves

After all the madness, these have dropped out of favour with numerous dog owners now. They are highly similar to deer antlers because they are excellent for teeth, are genuine, have few calories, and do not stink too much. Still, the primary difference is that they can readily crack and cause hole wounds in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth.

4. Horns

There is a mixture of distinct types of horns in the market for canines, starting from buffalo horns to sheep horns and even bull horns. They are nutrient-rich, have no additives, and dogs cherish their taste. They have the same safety considerations as antlers. They can drive tooth breakages and a chance of being ingested when more minor, but with surveillance, they can make effective alternatives to deer antlers.

5. Rawhide Chews

If you go to a pet store, you will find rawhide chews kept on the racks. They are thoughtful for keeping the dog entertained, but they may pose a few significant risks. Rawhide cannot digest within the stomach, so blocks are very standard if your dog has the chance to swallow a fragment.

Now you know so much about- deer antlers for dogs, let’s see what others questions you have to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions