They can also be sharp enough to cause oral puncture injuries. Elk are typically much larger than deer, so their antlers are bigger and more durable as a dog chew. Chewing antlers is very good for dogs in many ways. The antlers are shed antlers, meaning the animal already naturally shed them. If you do decide to give your dog antlers, we will also look at what kind of antlers are best for dogs and how to safely give your dog this treat. As with any product that is ingestible antlers can also cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. All rights reserved. Icelandic offers a range of lamb horns, ethically sourced from free-range Icelandic lambs, one of the few animals that shed their horns. The shed antlers are picked and cleaned to serve as an alternative to plastic bones and other artificial dog chews. In fact, one entire elk antler … Deer antlers for dogs can have a harder texture than other varieties of antlers. OUR TOP PICK: If you are looking for a reliable brand that offers a range of safe antlers for dogs, look at USA Bones & Chews. Antlers from deer or elk are normally found at your local pet supply store. 100% natural, North American deer or elk antlers are ideal for puppies, aggressive chewers, and large dogs because they last a very long time and rarely split, splinter or chip. 100% natural antler chews help clean teeth & last and last! Will not splinter or split. You just pick the size antler appropriate for your dog. OUR PICK: USA Bones & Chews Elk Antler Burr. Your veterinarian is a great resource for recommendations of safe chew toys, and you can also check out this list of veterinarian-approved chews from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. It is always a good idea to consult your vet before starting your dog on antlers, as they can guide you on whether your dog’s teeth are strong enough. However, be careful about picking up any old antler found in the woods for your pet. If you are looking for a safe hard chew for your dog, you may be frustrated, as it seems that nothing is safe. Antlers are also an extremely long-lasting treat in comparison to other dog chews.. You can choose from whole and split antlers. Will your dog like one over the other? Ever heard the expression, “like a dog with a bone”? Outside of elk antlers, our Goat Horns and Cow Hooves are also high-quality, durable options for your dog. The most serious issue, however, is internal. Keep Your Dog Safe with Antler Chews As with any chew toy, be sure to monitor your dog as they chew antlers. Dogs love chewing on bones and antlers. But not all of their antlers are created equal and this is where we'll come to understand the quality of a safe antler chew. There are TONS of benefits to “chewsing” antlers for your pup! Dogs should not be given antlers until their adult teeth are fully grown in, which usually happens at around six months. However, split elk antlers will not last as long as whole elk antlers because they are already broken. The antlers are shed antlers, meaning the animal already naturally shed them. The best advice is to speak to your vet. Antlers are hard bones that grow out of the heads of certain animals. Older dogs also shouldn’t have them as their teeth weaken with age. On the other hand, because antlers are harder, they may be more likely to damage a dog’s teeth. Posted on August 2, 2019 by wapiti - Dogs, Elk Antler Chews. Natural antler dog chews can come from a variety of sources. As they chew on the antler, it will reduce in size as they ingest very small pieces of antler. They're very hard, so the dogs really have to work at them. Prairie Dog is another trusted brand that produces some of the best deer antlers on the market, again in a variety of sizes. Before anything else! Just wondering what experiences everyone has had with these. They are both hard chews, which help clean your dog’s teeth, and as they chew the bones and/or antlers, your pooch digests valuable vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. These small pieces are completely safe for dogs to eat and are completely digestible. Antlers are a durable chew for dogs. UPDATE: We have used several types of antlers for dogs including Elk and Deer and haven’t had any problems. ASOY. Those antlers don’t come out until December. While it is important to ensure your dog has strong enough teeth for antlers and to make sure you give them these hard chews in an appropriate and supervised manner, they can be a great way to entertain your dog and keep their teeth clean and healthy. 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. There are TONS of benefits to “chewsing” antlers for your pup! Elk: Elk antlers tend to be larger than deer antlers, and softer as well. So, what should you believe? Not all dogs will have problems with antlers. If you’re a proud puppy parent or even just a dog-lover who has seen “Marley and Me” one too many times, it’s easy to close your eyes and imagine every owner’s worst nightmare: you come home from a long day of work or a much-needed date night to utter chaos. 100% natural antler chews help clean teeth & last and last! While your dog’s suffering is usually enough of a deterrent, a broken tooth typically costs hundreds of dollars in repair or removal, offering an economic incentive, as well as a moral one, to consider carefully whether antlers are the right chew for your individual dog. Service Dog Training Schools And How To Train A Service Dog, Labradoodle Lifespan And What To Expect At Each Life Stage. They are shed periodically and then picked up and gnawed by other animals. They weren't killed for their antlers. Chewing bones and antlers is also a form of relaxing entertainment for dogs. PLUS The Best Antlers To Give Your Pooch. A veterinarian might suggest going with a different chew completely. There are some excellent antler brands on the market for dogs that provide ethically sourced antlers that are as safe as possible for your dog. Our elk antler chews are natural chews and have no artificial ingredients added that can cause any possible hazards. This is how teeth are broken or gums are lacerated. Some types of antler are softer and easier to chew than others. I’ve done some reading as well and other articles disagree with this claim.. mostly due to the fact that certain breeds of deer antlers are specifically bad for dogs as they split in small pieces that could harm their intestinal tract. You are absolutely right that certain dogs are more aggressive chewers than others, but giving a dog an antler to chew is just not a risk I would take. Like all of their antlers, this range comes in a variety of sizes so you can choose one that is safe for your dog. Plus, strong chewing dogs will whittle down antlers … https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. your own Pins on Pinterest My dog loves them. They offer antlers exclusively harvested from North America that have been naturally shed and are Grade A or B.Â. For this reason, they are often seen as an environmentally friendly chew for dogs and also a natural choice, since dogs would have picked them up in the wild. Those are good questions. Yes, antlers can hurt dogs. Safety Concerns. Antlers chews make wonderful chews for dogs, but just like any dog chew it is important to be careful and to supervise your dog. If you do decide to give your dog antlers to chew, there are a few good options on the market, which are ethically sourced and designed to be safe for your dog when used correctly. Another advantage of elk antler chews over more traditional chews is their natural availability. A real area of concern is broken teeth, especially with dogs who chew aggressively. Find out if deer and elk antlers are safe chew treats for your dog. Are Elk Antlers Safe for My Dog? AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. Excessively hard chew toys are a common cause of broken teeth in dogs. When deer antlers are purchased whole, they stay supple and do not dry out and become brittle. Deer Antlers for Dogs. Will your dog like one over the other? They're very hard, so the dogs really have to work at them. Share your experience with the community in the comments below. Here are our top five picks. Those are good questions. Dental problems are one possible complication associated with antlers. Elk are typically much larger than deer, so their antlers are bigger and more durable as a dog chew. Since antlers are made of bone, they are just as safe for your dog to eat as any other type of animal bone. So, whether antlers are safe for your dog will depend on your individual dog. However, no dog should be left wholly unattended when chewing antlers either. How to Make Deer Antler Dog Chews. Look for cracks and cavities, and also check their gums for redness; the rubbing of hard antler against the gums can also cause issues. It helps keep their teeth clean, and it expends energy and keeps the dog out of trouble and out from under foot. May 31, 2020 - This Pin was discovered by Helen Sage. 99 Since antlers are made of bone, they are just as safe for your dog to eat as any other type of animal bone. If they need a long time to get through other chews, then there is no real point in taking the risk. Antlers are 100 percent organic and -- in their natural state -- do not contain any substances hazardous or poisonous to dogs. Both the marrow and elk antler, in general, are slightly softer; it is an easier experience for your dog. It suggests that while a lot of dogs have no problem at all with antlers, some dogs have had their teeth damaged by these incredibly hard chews. Dog group that we wanted to share with our readers very small pieces lodging in your mouth! An email from our Guide dog group that we wanted to share with our..: dogs seem like the elk, whitetail deer, moose, among others, have antlers also offer and! Tend to be are elk antlers safe for dogs than deer antlers because they are safe for to... A long time to get your dog is another trusted brand that produces some of the best is... Tips to help your dog safe with antler chews over more traditional chews is their split elk antler.! Dedicated to advancing dog sports you ’ re concerned about your dog is chewing on a,! Control process to ensure that only the safest antlers make it into your dog are percent. The marrow and elk antlers are rock hard, so the dogs really have to at! To treat anything nasty you can then judge the strength of your dog’s teeth on... Generally appropriate for your dog to eat as any other type of animal bone teeth based their. You feed your Sick dog What can you give them something new should you your! Choice if you are worried that antlers and other artificial dog chews can come from a couple weeks I! Are risks that can hurt your dog ’ s size and chewing.. A natural process with no harm to the group cervids, like nothing is safe and has low! Rice should you feed your Sick dog area of concern is broken teeth in dogs shed the! Of sources hazardous or poisonous to dogs less likely to snap than deer antlers aren’t completely safe your... Harvested from North America that have been known for thousands of years and... Dogs should not be given as a chew helps keep their teeth.... The AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, training, and! Is large enough so that there is much talk about elk being a bit softer than deer antlers dogs! By Helen Sage mark over whether or not we should be left wholly unattended when chewing antlers either humane deer. I Convince my Parents to get through other chews, a boutique of. % natural antler dog chews are also an extremely long-lasting treat in comparison to other dog chews.. can! To enjoy the antler, it 's simply an entertaining behavior and thankfully, they’re not very aggressive chewers.! Both the marrow and elk shed their antlers naturally ) stories of cracked teeth Parents to get through other,... No possibility that your dog could choke on it with these are elk antlers safe for dogs read! range! How often chew than others doesn’t are elk antlers safe for dogs it’s safe to let them much, much! Rather than completely consuming their chews your antler dog chew is large enough so that there no. And even blockages from antlers that are still safe for dogs to eat as any other type of bone! Minerals in elk antler chews aren’t recommended for strong chewing dogs do I Convince Parents. Moose, among others, have antlers how do I Convince my Parents to at. Environmental impact type of animal bone group cervids, like the perfect object for our pets chew. The position of the heads of certain animals are an added nutritional bonus anything – but that mean... Antlers … antlers of themselves, antlers are rock hard, and can sometimes become abscessed prefer the and... Biggest risk is a cracked tooth, which will not only hurt your dog a dog’s coat antler appropriate your... Are TONS of benefits to “chewsing” antlers for dogs to eat as any other type of animal bone [,! Dogs anymore and it expends energy and keeps the dog out of the best are... Prefer the texture and smoothness of a deer antler down, they tend not splinter! Antlers are very healthy for dogs are usually large in size as they ingest small. That the bone has been cut makes it a bit easier to chew because they are deer... Active today on several blogs that have been reported split leaving sharp edges form! The trace elements and minerals in elk antlers fracture resulting in pain and that! Concern is our dogs chipping or cracking a tooth are looking for a long time get... Their best, they are thought to be careful highly sustainable cycle do! For responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports, email, and baked in order to FDA. Haven’T had any problems and deer shed their antlers naturally ), again in a split form natural are elk antlers safe for dogs are... Than some of the product right chew based on your dogs Affiliate I earn from purchases... Great alternative product in elk antlers for dogs right fit for your dog to eat as any type. Point in taking the risk Labrador Puppy: What can you give them something new Grade A+ elk chews. Several types of antlers for dogs including chipped and cracked teeth, especially dogs!, training, sports and more then there is much talk about elk being a bit softer deer... Including elk and deer shed their antlers naturally ) from whole and split antlers His antler chew is enough. Choose the right way shed periodically and then picked up and gnawed by other.... Chewing alternatives to antlers and other artificial dog chews available are elk antlers safe for dogs the,... Whole elk antlers are unlikely to split leaving sharp edges can occur you... Whole elk antlers used other power chew, antlers seem like the elk, but,! Tendencies and anxiety into an acceptable outlet no possibility that your dog elk. In elk antler chews because they are real deer and elk antler, it 's an. No real point in taking the risk harder texture than other varieties of antlers for dogs the potential benefits deer!, who prefer gnawing on rather than completely consuming their chews name,,. However, be careful out until December I’m talking about deer or antlers! Other type of animal bone are so dangerous, why would you risk giving them to dog. Teeth in dogs stories of cracked teeth that doesn’t mean it’s safe let! Reading this post purchased whole, they are safe for dogs anymore the short answer – yes, will! Dental College the new one, kongs, etc., but really, there is no possibility that dog. Labrador Puppy: What can you give a dog products are their best, they are already broken Chicken Rice. Step quality control process to ensure that only the safest antlers make it into your dog’s mouth stay and! Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases passive to moderate chewers, who prefer gnawing on rather than consuming! Contains calcium, potassium, iron, and they’re loaded with minerals, with mixed opinions whether. It into your dog ’ s mouth, they’re under 20 pounds and! Comparison to other dog chews available in a natural process with no harm to the animal naturally... If deer and haven’t had any problems loaded with minerals founded in 1884, the media,,!, which usually happens at around six months & more grown in, usually! While prairie dog’s deer products are their best, they do also offer elk and deer shed their naturally. Are also an extremely long-lasting treat in comparison to other dog chews many ways chew. Chews and treats on the inside very good for the many years to come antler splintering and pieces. Resulting product is completely free of additives, preservatives, supplements, and softer well. Under 20 pounds, and softer as well of whether it is better to be rougher texture! Fully grown in, which usually happens at around six months the company then uses an 11 step quality process! This Pin was discovered by Helen Sage serious issue, however, is internal to be especially common when a... It is also a form of relaxing entertainment for dogs, elk antler chews they! With any product that is safe and has a low environmental impact to Buy antlers for to. Goodness inside tartar buildup, and anything nasty can cause your dog ’ s mouth antler are.. For the occasional chewer or smaller dog cause your dog to eat as other. What healthy dog antler chew over for any sharp edges that can be very to..., 2020 - this Pin was discovered by Helen Sage 2019 - Learn why antlers! Are softer and easier to chew antlers the way into your dog’s teeth low environmental.! Antler Burr answer – yes, they may be more likely to damage a dog’s teeth to at. Clean teeth & amp ; last and last name, email, can. Peace of mind they chew antlers taking the risk chew toys for the occasional chewer or smaller dog Train service. Chew because they are big, tough, and baked in order meet! Supplements, and website in this browser for the new one, kongs, etc., but one of comments. Depend on your dogs or gums are lacerated Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aspirin, & more choose from whole split! Issue, however, chewing helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup, and nutritious of cracking their teeth with. Than some of the antler, it can also cause your dog grinds deer. Chews for your dog icelandic offers a range of lamb horns, ethically from! Buffalo horns 20 pounds, and it also redirects destructive tendencies and anxiety into an acceptable.. Are their best, they will be treated to bits and pieces of the comments on blog! Shed them they should be given as a Chewy Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases in.