Leo Evan's blog : Deer Antlers For Your Dog – Are They Safe?
Deer antlers are shed by the male deer and consist mainly of a bone-like substance that initially develops as cartilage before it mineralizes. Deer shed their antlers every year before a new one grows just before the mating season. The male deer uses the antlers to fight off enemy males and to attract the females.
Recently, deer antlers have become a popular chew for dogs. Antlers on the market are available in a wide range of sizes and varieties such as fallow antlers, split antlers, and full antlers. However, many people have questions whether antlers are safe for their dogs or not. Below, we will look at whether deer antlers are safe for your dog or not.
Are deer antlers safe for your dog?
To answer the question above, Deer antlers for dogs are very safe for your dog. This is especially when they are of high quality as they are unlikely to chip or leave sharp edges on the teeth. The good thing is that deer antlers remain fresh for a long time and do not splinter, break or become brittle.
This makes it a perfect chew for dogs. As a result, it takes a lot of time for your dog to chew and break down the antler and this makes them a perfect chew for your dog. Also, you will note that Deer antlers for dogs have a small choking risk for they are large enough to prevent full swallowing. However, you should dispose of the antlers once they are worn down.
Are the antlers digestible?
Yes, antlers are fully digestible. As your dog continues to gnaw on the deer antler, it wears down the substance before ingesting it. It is common knowledge that deer antlers consist of zinc, potassium, calcium and iron. All these minerals have positive benefits to your dog. Split antler dog chews are perfect for your young puppies for they are smaller and softer for the puppy’s growing teeth. You will also find that the inside of the antler looks like a honey comb and dogs enjoy chewing on it.
On the other hand, bigger dogs may find full antlers easier to chew on. These are bigger and may take more time to gnaw at. However, you have to be sure that your dog has strong teeth that won’t be broken while chewing on deer antlers.
Conclusion
As we have seen above, deer antlers are very safe for your dog. This is because Deer antlers for dogs remain fresh for longer and can be used as a longtime chew.
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