Why Do Dogs Eat Grass And Is Eating Grass Bad For Them? I have been meaning to write an article on this topic for several years, as it’s one that comes up frequently in our forum. To make deer antlers palatable and safe, soak them for a day or two in water or dog safe broth. And there’s divided opinions on deer antlers for dogs versus elk antlers for dogs, and other varieties. New antlers also reproduce every year in a highly sustainable cycle. So you are talking about the risk and expense of a general anesthetic, plus the cost of removing the tooth or, in some cases, repairing it. Currently, there is some disagreement as to whether or not antlers are safe for your dog to chew. Do Midges Bite Dogs? Signs Of Midge Bites In Domestic Dogs, Dog Exercise: How To Exercise Your Labrador And Keep Them Fit. Assess the risks, and decide on your dog’s behalf. And a great many websites promoting antlers for dog. WorldDeer.org was launched in 2005 and has evolved over the past 15 years to feature some of the best information about deer on the web. Furthermore, there are clear benefits to chewing such as relieving stress, focusing attention, and helping your pup avoid boredom. Will the antlers ever powder in the gut causing a bowel obstruction – similar to what dry, white bones can cause? We’ll discuss why that is, and whether or not the majority of veterinarians are right. But the potential problems remain. informative article of the risks, but as a purist, I’d rather her chew organic products rather than plastic as she tears into it and ingests toxins. Dogs should be supervised when they are chewing on antlers, while it is safe for dogs to chew on them they shouldn’t swallow the antlers if they crack as the pieces could be sharp and cause injury to your dog. One of the challenges of owning a puppy and raising it to become an adult dog is understanding what it can and cannot safely chew on. But they will still likely chew on the rest of it, so it doesn’t take away the concern about broken teeth. After being shed, antlers are often picked up and gnawed by wild animals. Then turn around and recommend all these “approved” synthetic name brand products instead. A rubber Kong filled with frozen goodies like peanut butter or broth can last a while. You may be wondering what to do if you cannot give your dog antlers or other hard materials to chew. That event might be the consumption of a particular drug, plant, or chemical. Many dog owners get confused about natural materials. I also saw Yak Milk treats. Are deer antlers safe for dogs? These antlers can be available through game processors or hunters, or hiking through the forest. They can break their teeth on anything, just like humans. Can Dogs Digest Antlers? Deer antlers are completely safe for your dog to chew and will provide a stimulating and nutritious snack they’ll keep coming back to. And turn our attention to the vets who are telling us what they are seeing in their surgeries. In fact, any hard chew material you select will come with the same risks, such as bone or rawhide. The antlers of many species of deer are made from real bone. You can also join in a discussion on this topic over on the forum. It is also important that the chew toy you choose never fits completely into your dogs mouth. Well, some vets have obviously never seen a tooth fracture associated with antler chews. Instead, I recommend buying chew toys that have some flexibility or “give” to them, even for large, powerful dogs. But, antlers for dogs can cause more problems than they solve. But 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. You may have heard that cows’ horns are made from a substance called keratin, similar to your own nails and hair. Safe for dog: Greenies chews. It is also a good way to reduce stress and keep your pup occupied. ANSWER: I believe that hard plastic or nylon chews, sterilized bones, cow hooves and antlers are too hard to be safe for most dogs. That’s what we are going to do today. North American deer antler or elk dog antlers are large and rarely chip, split, or splinter, so they can survive a lot of chewing without harming your dog. Also, look at alternative toys or chews that may provide the same pleasure and tooth cleaning benefits, without being so hard on your dog’s teeth. The VOHC has a list of products that it has approved as safe for dogs to chew. Antlers are an excellent tool for dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Deer antlers don’t make a mess, they don’t smell, and all dogs love to chew on them. But I’ve put things off because we have a policy here on the Labrador Site. So why exactly are antlers so hard? For example, moose antlers are softer than others (such as the hard elk antlers). She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program, Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website. I am so glad I read this. Deer antlers aren’t completely safe for dogs – there are risks that can be very expensive to treat. Labrador Retriever Life Span – How Long Do Labs Live? Let’s dig in to get a more complete picture. Sustainable and humane: Deer and elk shed their antlers in a natural process with no harm to the animal. I must admit she enjoys the hell out of it! Perfect as dog chews, taxidermy, crafts etc. Unlike most horns, antlers are usually shed each year, and a new set grows in their place. Merck Vet Manual. In addition, if you purchase these reindeer horns and your dog doesn’t like them, you can return them for no questions asked with their Happy Dog Guarantee. Reindeer are interesting in that they are the only deer family in which both males and females grow antlers. Some may think that it is OK to take off antlers while walking with children. Selecting chew toys that are softer or have some flexibility can help. While many people have given their dogs antlers to chew on without incident, there are risks that can be expensive to treat. however, breeds such as elk antlers and mule deer antlers are safe for them to chew as they do not split in the same way. It depends. So what are the arguments against indulging your dog in this happy pursuit? While nylon bones, deer antlers, and non-processed large bones may look enticing to dogs, they are hard on their teeth. Frustratingly, neither of these sites, nor any of the others I visited, link to any credible sources of research on this topic. Deer antlers and other hooved mammal horns are an all-natural dog chew treat that serves as a tooth-cleaning alternative to natural and synthetic dog bones. All our products are locally sourced, natural and cruelty free. Let’s take a closer look to find out if antlers are safe for dogs, and if they should be given as a chew. It may also be that some dogs are more at risk than others. Well, antlers are a source of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Antlers are also known to improve a dog’s coat. Embrace Pet Insurance, Price J et al. We do have deer in our woods and they shed antlers (our GSD brought home a deer skull one day, how … sweet) so we wondered if we should let them gnaw on it a bit. The main concern for most pet owners and vets is the hardness of antlers and whether they will damage a dog’s teeth. There could be another cause. This is how teeth are broken or gums are lacerated. Rule of paw: don’t buy any chew toy that you wouldn’t want to be whacked in the knee with. And my personal feeling is that we should pay attention. Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? With anecdotal evidence for the causes of dental fractures, however, we are on somewhat firmer ground. In generic terms, we would say no. However, the weight of opinion seems to be falling into the NO camp. That is a choking incident waiting to happen. The broken tooth may be obvious for all to see. Leave the antlers outside somewhere safe, where they will get sun and dry off. Ultimate Guide To Veterinary Dental Home Care. Here at the Labrador Site, we have decided not to give our dogs antlers, as we feel that the risks of tooth fractures is too great. Of course, these are not meant for puppies, senior dogs, or … My border collie loves them, but I’m still not convinced that they are safe even disregarding the posssible dental issues. What about elk antlers for dogs? By safe, they mean that the product won’t cause the following: Each product has to pass two separate trials (carried out on different dogs) in order to pass. Being informed of the cost of endodontic treatment for a pet is enough to make most of us feel faint. While my dog Luke was all smiles about chewing on an antler, the results were nothing to smile about. What do they get from eating them? Don't miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend. Antlers for dogs usually come from deer, elk, reindeer or moose. I do not advise using deer antlers as dog chews. Posted on August 2, 2019 by wapiti - Dogs, Elk Antler Chews. So we have a situation where many vets are saying, “Do NOT let your dog chew on antlers! Now here’s a SUPER popular dog chew! No, deer antlers are not completely safe for dogs. If the fracture is bad enough, you may even need to use a feeding tube to ensure that your dog gets enough nutrients while he heals. One of the biggest misconceptions of dog ownership is buying hard chew toys and allowing your dog to gnaw on them is helpful to its teeth. Certainly, the chewing process helps to remove plaque and tartar. The main health benefit of deer antlers though, is their use in aiding in dental care for your dog. Plus, strong chewing dogs will whittle down … Chose from whole or split antlers in sizes small, medium, large, xl, xxl, xxxl and xxxxl. But only a little. First, let’s talk about different types of antlers, and whether that makes a difference in the safety of antlers for dogs. Indeed, anecdotal evidence often points us in the direction of where a product or procedure might be worth investigating further. /*footer link color*/a.footer {color: #D1B180;}/*footer hover link color*/a.footer:hover {color: #D1C580;}. What about split antlers , they are cut in half lengthways to expose the marrow. First take it to a professional company that … While many people have given their dogs antlers to chew on without incident, there are risks that can be expensive to treat. So it is with dogs that suffer major tooth fractures while chewing on very hard objects. Veterinary News 2017, Quest, B. But are all antlers created equal? Just like with dental side effects, these problems are not exclusive to antlers. A. Chewing on dog antler treats isn’t any different then dogs chewing on other bones or hard substances. Yes, antlers can hurt dogs. The short answer – yes, antlers are safe! Is this something that we can look up online? What is your take? All Rights Reserved. There is a wide range of chew toys on the market specially designed to give dogs the opportunity for recreational chewing that won’t cause them injury. In fact, man-made materials can often be safer for chewing provided they are manufactured to adhere to safety standards. Become infected ’ for example that you wouldn’t want to be about deer from your cooked.... A regular contributor find split antlers decide on your dog in the is. More complete picture elk and deer shed their antlers in a discussion on topic! Alternative softer source of minerals such as the hard elk antlers for dogs can manage.... 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