Frustratingly, neither of these sites, nor any of the others I visited, link to any credible sources of research on this topic. These are what I buy for Eko and Penny. As with any chew toy, selecting the right size for you dog is important to reduce the chance of your pet choking. Please see our Dog Treat Size Chart for more information. The main reason for this is that there aren’t many studies on whether antlers are good for dogs, or whether they are not. The recommendations include avoiding antlers, and giving your dog products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Having worked in the industry for a number of years I have only heard of 2 dogs with broken teeth from chewing on an antler and one of those was an elderly dog. You can also join in a discussion on this topic over on the forum. Instead, I recommend buying chew toys that have some flexibility or “give” to them, even for large, powerful dogs. High in nutrition: Antlers are packed with healthy minerals your dog needs, like calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. Dog Antlers As Chew Toys? 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. So, whether antlers are safe for your dog will depend on your individual dog. Rule of paw: don’t buy any chew toy that you wouldn’t want to be whacked in the knee with. And rather like the discussion on raw food, it’s one that even vets don’t always agree on. They can also be sharp enough to cause oral puncture injuries. The antlers of many species of deer are made from real bone. Currently, there is some disagreement as to whether or not antlers are safe for your dog to chew. But you can still find them for sale. The main discussion seems to be about deer antlers for dogs. Are Antlers Safe For Your Dog? You just pick the size antler appropriate for your dog. Be sure the antler chew is large enough so that there is no possibility that your dog could choke on it. But it does have the potential to be misused and can be misleading. The broken tooth may be obvious for all to see. No, not like that! And many dogs seem to really like the taste. Before you do that, it is worth considering the outcome of a tooth fracture for your dog. But you can’t just sit a dog in the dentist’s chair and ask him to open wide. This article claims to take both sides of the argument into account but relies heavily on anecdotal evidence on one side only. It wasn’t until Eko had the antler for nearly a year that I first heard rumblings about antlers potentially being dangerous for a dog’s teeth/gums. Antler treats are safe for your dog to eat. Come and say hello! Being informed of the cost of endodontic treatment for a pet is enough to make most of us feel faint. For raw fed dogs, bones are a necessary part of their diet. And there are numerous research papers on the treatment of a wide range of fractures in dogs (and cats). Eko spent the entire week chomping on his prize, In fact, Eko spent over two years gnawing that bad boy down. the incidence of tooth fractures in dogs. Will not splinter or split. Antlers are an excellent tool for dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Are Deer Antlers Safe for Dogs? But are they safe? Vet Brett Beckham has produced a fact sheet for dog owners on avoiding tooth fractures. Antlers are expensive, but I’ve found them to be well-worth the cost. Antlers for dogs are not new but their popularity has really exploded in the last few years. The Grade B elk antler chews are of lesser quality, not fresh and most probably have been exposed to other outside rodent activity. You are not going to see much change from $1000. But the potential problems remain. And there are still more sorts of antlers to choose from, such as moose. This is how teeth are broken or gums are lacerated. Aggressive chewers, for example. That event might be the consumption of a particular drug, plant, or chemical. There seems to be no useful data on the various causes of these fractures. Antlers are 100 percent organic and -- in their natural state -- do not contain any substances hazardous or poisonous to dogs. The best way to care for your dog while having fun with deer antlers is to ask your vet about the many medicinal benefits. No chemicals, dyes, or preservatives. 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. Therefore, antlers are probably not safe for puppies and older dogs. Was thinking about getting antlers for our dogs, but now I am rethinking it. 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. This can cause pulp to become exposed and a very painful scenario. Are antlers safe for dogs? Weigh up the pros and cons of antler dog chews for yourself. Since awareness of this problem was first raised in the veterinary press in 2013, they state, there has been a “large increase in cases seen of fractured carnassial (and other) teeth by dogs chewing on antlers and other hard toys.”. They even pack their own nutritional punch. Then turn around and recommend all these “approved” synthetic name brand products instead. There could be another cause. The antler will wear down quickly, but it will also be easiest on teeth. Antler chews are also full of nutrients such as calcium. Numerous well-respected vet sites claim that chewing on very hard objects, including antlers, are the primary source of tooth fractures in dogs, along with rough play. If your dog is old or has dental problems don’t give them an antler. Anecdotal evidence is the accumulated observations of people, rather than properly controlled clinical trials. That said, it is very possible for dogs to injure themselves with antlers. Wild-shed antlers, or antlers that animals in the deer family lose naturally with age and seasons, can be dangerous for your dog. Are antlers digestible? Penny loves her antler so much she’ll spoon with it while napping. 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. There are also a range of products sold as dental chews that claim to help keep your dog’s teeth clean and reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Chewing on dog antler treats isn’t any different then dogs chewing on other bones or hard substances. I’m talking about deer or elk antlers used as chew toys. a list of products that it has approved as safe. They're very hard, so the dogs really have to work at them. Like any other power chew, it’s primarily about the quality of the product. When trying antlers for dogs, you just want to make sure you always monitor your dog while chewing (don’t let them chew too aggressively for long periods of time) and if it’s a puppy with puppy teeth or an older dog with older teeth, maybe try a less dense antler, it will be easier on the teeth. But I’ve put things off because we have a policy here on the Labrador Site. But are all antlers created equal? What about split antlers , they are cut in half lengthways to expose the marrow. Keep Your Dog Safe with His Antler Chew In my video from a couple weeks ago I showed the pups with antlers. Are antlers safe for dogs? Because in this instance I believe that the anecdotal evidence we have here is quite useful. For other dogs, it's simply an entertaining behavior. Bones, antlers, rawhide, and even Nylabones are all controversial when used as chew toys for dogs, and they all carry potential health risks. He was quite please with himself. Well, some vets have obviously never seen a tooth fracture associated with antler chews. You may have heard that cows’ horns are made from a substance called keratin, similar to your own nails and hair. You can also find split antlers, which enables the dog to get at the marrow inside easier. Dogs will work their way through chew toys quickly. That’s what we are going to do today. Some dogs may be more at risk than others—for example, aggressive chewers. There are multiple reputable shops which allow to you pick size, and more importantly, toughness. Trauma to oral tissues, such as fracture of teeth or laceration or penetration of oral mucosa. There are a wide range of alternative softer source of bone, such as ribs, or the bones of smaller animals. Anecdotal evidence can be a tricky subject. If you’re interested in buying an antler for your pup I recommend avoiding the pet store, where you’re likely to find older/tougher antlers. Don't miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend. The usual caveats apply – you want to supervise your pup when they try their antler, and you want to check with your vet to make sure your pup’s teeth/gums are healthy and undamaged. That’s quite a large proportion of 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. The fact is, no one knows for sure. First, let’s talk about different types of antlers, and whether that makes a difference in the safety of antlers for dogs. Merck Vet Manual. If you do decide to give antlers to your dog, we strongly recommend you insure him and make sure he is covered for dental treatment by your policy. Antlers are rock hard, and strong chewing dogs will bite down on antlers with all their might. Reindeer antlers are also incredibly hard, and will still present much the same issues for dogs and their teeth as other types of antlers. Your vet may disagree! Typically, elk antlers are a little softer and easier on the teeth than deer antler dog chews. Ultimate Guide To Veterinary Dental Home Care. Apple Cider Vinegar For Dogs – Does It Really Work? There are two main factors to consider – one, how hard your dog chews, and two, how hard the antler is. No, deer antlers are not completely safe for dogs. A broken tooth is extremely painful and can sometimes become abscessed. Originally published by Petcentric’s Marking Our Territory Blog by Will & Eko. Antlers certainly aren’t for every dog (especially overly-aggressive chewers) but for many pups antlers are a great substitute for the traditional dog bone. Like a sponge. And I’ll take a moment now to explain why I believe that to be the case. Do Midges Bite Dogs? Like broken bones, broken teeth may often, but not always, have dramatic symptoms. Will not splinter or split. I think I will stick to what mother nature has given us instead of nylon or plastic…. The tooth might have been cracked already, for example. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass And Is Eating Grass Bad For Them? The safety (or not) of antlers for dogs is an interesting subject. The Grade C and D are worst. Mercola Pet
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