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Antlers for dogs or puppies…
Hi!
I’m confused with recent data I’ve looked at about deer antlers for chewing. My dogs always loved (LOVED!!!) them, but now I’m seeing mixed reviews online. A puppy client of mine has a super chewer Lab puppy that loves them, too, but said that she was told by an online community they are bad.
I’ve read a couple different articles and one says the minerals are good for the dog, but can cause dental fractures in teeth. But it went on to say that there is no published data which leaves them with “anecdotal evidence” that antlers cause tooth problems. It also says that a dog can get a splinter from an antler in their digestive tract.
Another article claims that it should be a high quality or split antler…that makes the difference…
I am not sure what to say now. I ask you to please, share your advice and personal opinion on antlers for dogs or puppies, as a chew.
What other types of chews do you like and what do you find safe(-r)?
One thing I try to tell clients is to supervise your own dog with ANY chew, because “safety” is all relative to the chewer (the dog). Some dogs are voracious chewers, but rarely swallow large pieces of things. Others almost gulp pieces of their item down! I have taken away (traded) an item that my dog was leaning towards unsafe behavior with.
Thanks for your help!
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7 Replies
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Great question, @bernerlabreclectus . Will be interested to read other member input.
I am only commenting from a personal opinion perspective, FWIW. I worry about the hardness of things like antlers and femur bones potentially causing tooth damage with hefty adult chewers, so I tend to only recommend them to young dogs that still have their puppy teeth. (An adult Ridgeback of mine had a slab fracture from chewing on bones, and a GSD who chewed on bones daily had all her canines worn down to nubs, but without any apparent pain or problems.) I prefer to offer edibles like Himalayan cheese bones (as long as the dog isn’t easily able to break off big chunks that could be choking hazards). But there are holders available for things like bully sticks and Himalayan bones to protect the dog from accessing the final remaining chunk left that they could choke on.
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I think this is a great question too. I always had antlers for my personal dogs and never had a problem. I always got the bigger ones- not half ones or something I thought would break.
On that note, I did start reading about people saying the dog broke a tooth. I think all chews come with a risk. And I think it’s great you state that. Basically no item is perfectly safe.
I then moved onto bully sticks and get the handles for them.
So I do wonder what people think about antlers? I also like the recommendation of to have them with puppy teeth.
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Good points, @pawsup ! I will definitely recommend the holders. Apparently, the lab puppy I recommended the antlers for ADORES them. She has been like a demon with the chewing (even with the owners arm, ouch) and these are the only thing that are helping the sharky puppy teeth right now. They don’t leave her unsupervised with the antlers, if they kennel her, it’s with a stuffed Kong.
I appreciate the help with opinion! Also, knowing what you do with your own dogs helps!
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@virginiad : that’s a super idea about the holders. I worry about the “Last chunk”, too. Thanks for the recommendation.
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@bernerlabreclectus I think you nailed it, here:
One thing I try to tell clients is to supervise your own dog with ANY chew, because “safety” is all relative to the chewer (the dog). – Paula M.
I just bought a bag of bully sticks only to discover I can’t give them to my dogs. They chomp on them for about a minute and then swallow them whole. ???? I’m experimenting with stuffing them into a tough toy to keep the ends tightly held but so far, am finding that if they can grab it with their molars and hold the toy with their paws, they’ll just pull them out – especially Joy, who is super toy-puzzle savvy.
So for now, Bully sticks are *just* for the puppy.. but she’s not all that interested.
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Yikes on swallowing a bully stick, @Catherine! I remember that my Berner loved those, as a pup, but they were super expensive and he would eat them in less than 15 minutes. That’s why I loved the antlers, because he could not destroy them. He never cracked a tooth on them, but I always had to be careful not to step on one in bare feet! Ouch!
Now after reading so much about the possibility of cracking a tooth, I worry about recommending them. Argh!!!
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Right, Paula – time to pull out the “It Depends” motto – so many variables. It’s a great opportunity to practice our flexible mindsets! ????
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