Vet. Nixes Elk Antlers

[Alice Kable]

My husband and I have been having daily discussions about the safety of elk antler chews since Christmas. So we agreed to ask our vet. and accept and abide by his opinion. He said no way would he let his dogs have them, and especially considering the way our Bulldogs chew, the possibility of shards getting lodged somewhere. So we're done with the antlers, LONG LIVE NYLABONES!!! Just thought I'd pass this information along.

 

[bubbaisapig]

Wow! Didn't know that. THanks for the info! Bubba chewed on it a few days and got bored with it..just like most of his other toys!

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Alice..is it just elk antlers? Or ALL antlers? I've not tried the elk but I've never even seen a shard break off an antler. They aren't like normal bones and this surprises me! Boy..these vets need to get together! My vet thinks they are fine...just take them away when small enough to swallow!

 

[LucysMum]

I think some are "harder" than others. I am pretty good with picking out the kind that are very hard and will take Lucy lots of knawing to make a dent in them. When I first started buying them I threw a few away because I felt they were too soft. Some with a lot of marrow (not sure what to call that softer inside) do tend to break off in pieces a little more. I am confident with the ones I have right now. Something to think about.

In any case--that you for sharing@alicekable. I think no matter what we give our dogs--antlers, nylabones--any chew toy we need to be mindful of what they are up to. I only let lucy chew on her antler about 45 minutes and then I take it away. She is usually laying next to me so I can keep a close eye on her. Only takes a second for something scary to happen.

 

[KMARINO]

Vegas like his stuffies never shreds anything, he has had his one deer antler for months and chews on it regulary, there is not even a chip missing, the one he got for Christmas same thing. I am so glad he is not a shredder or destroyer/chewer!

 

[Bella'sMom]

The antlers the girls have a real large in diameter, they can't grab hold enough to put a lot of pressure behind their bite. They tend to just gnaw on the edge a little. So far nothing has come off, it is just getting worn on the edge.

 

[Alice Kable]

[MENTION=2092]JAKEISGREAT[/MENTION] our vet said no to all antlers. [MENTION=2099]LucysMum[/MENTION] I also would let them have them for 45 min. to 1 hr. a day, with me sitting right there. They would trade off but Mack's was the smaller one and it got chewed down a couple inches. Ruggles' big antler looks very safe to me, but they have got a lot of marrow out of it so that may weaken it. They really enjoyed them but I'm not going to risk a problem.
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[Chunksmama]

Wow ... thanks for sharing [MENTION=1612]Alice Kable[/MENTION]!!! Chunk's kinda disintegrates (for lack of a better term) ... it leaves what looks like a white trail behind but never breaks into small pieces. However, I think we will be done with them now!

 

[cowsmom]

i just got my deer antlers. geez. i dont think im going to give up on them just yet especially since they wont eat the nylabones at all. its all sarah and the boys will chew on really. ill have to think about it.

 

[LisaMarie]

I think I will not get any for Mocha now. [MENTION=1612]Alice Kable[/MENTION], thanks for asking the vet!! I just dont want to risk anything happening.

 

[2BullyMama]

Alice..is it just elk antlers? Or ALL antlers? I've not tried the elk but I've never even seen a shard break off an antler. They aren't like normal bones and this surprises me! Boy..these vets need to get together! My vet thinks they are fine...just take them away when small enough to swallow!

Agreed... our vet is OK with them too.

 

[RescueMe]

My vet is fine with these too. The ones we have kind of crumble into really tiny crumbs.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

i just got my deer antlers. geez. i dont think im going to give up on them just yet especially since they wont eat the nylabones at all. its all sarah and the boys will chew on really. ill have to think about it.

Jake and Dena have been gnawing on one for 7 months! And it's a split one that all the marrow has been whittled away. I thoroughly inspected it..not one tiny crack or nuttin! I'll be careful and appreciate the info Alice..but my dogs these and my nylabones actually crumble more!

 

[aprilemari]

Lola has one deer and one elk antler that i specifically bought with the marrow exposed. she does chew on them for hours a day, and after she ate all the marrow inside, the outside wears down and breaks off into smaller pieces, most of which we take away when she gets them. so it's true that they could cause a choking hazard which is why we never let them in the crate or while we're not watching. hours of entertainment and they're good for her too, but we watch her.

 

[Fontanafox]

My deer antlers have never chipped or cracked. They just seem to slowly wear down. They enjoy them too much to give them up. They don't care for Nylabones.


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