The antlers are then picked up off the ground and cut or split for your dogs enjoyment. As a result, buffalo horns can be an excellent long lasting addition to your dog’s diet. These locally sourced antlers are cruelty-free and tasty Every spring the elk naturally shed their antlers that they have been growing for a year. They are also high in calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for healthy, strong bones and muscles. This makes them absolutely ideal for dogs who are struggling with their waistline, which is a surprising percentage of the dog population. The horns are a by-product, and are harvested to ensure that no part of the animal goes to waste.Īfter they are harvested, they are cleaned, soaked in hot water to release/remove the inner core, then sanded to remove any sharp edges, covered in natural sunflower oil and then sun/air dried.īuffalo horns are nutritious treats which are high in protein and low in fat. Don’t worry, despite horns not being shed, buffalo are not slaughtered for their horns alone. Antlers however, start as cartilage, and gradually mineralise over the course of a few months.Īfter the breeding season, the antlers shed, and new ones grow the following year. A horn has a bone core, which is covered in keratin (the same substance that our fingernails are made of).
Horns are sometimes confused with antlers, but they are actually completely different. Giant Sized Antler Chews: These are Very Large dogs that weigh in excess of 100 pounds such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Newfoundlands.Jumbo Sized Antler Chews: These are for Extra Large to Giant dogs that weigh in excess of 90 pounds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes or Mastiffs.Extra Large Sized Antler Chews: These are for Extra Large dogs ranging in size from 70 – 90 pounds such as Akitas, Malamutes, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, English Sheepdogs and Ridgebacks.Large Sized Antler Chews: These are for Large dogs in the 50 – 70 pound range such as Afghan Hounds, Australian Shepherds, Bassett Hounds, Labs and Goldens, Boxers, Collies, most Sporting Breeds and Huskies.
A renewable source antlers are naturally shed and re-grown by male elk each. Medium Sized Antler Chews: These are for Medium sized dogs ranging in size from 20 – 50 pounds such as Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers, Border Collies, Corgis, Whippets and Scotties. Splits are great for softer chewers or dogs not familiar with elk antler.Small Sized Antler Chews: These are for Small and Petite sized dogs ranging in size from 5 – 20 pounds such as Chihuahuas, Papillons, Pugs, Dachshunds, smaller terriers and spaniels, Shih Tzu and Miniature Poodles.Tufts veterinary nutritionist Cailin Heinze, VMD, DACVM, points out that while it’s true that elk antlers are high in calcium and phosphorus, “that makes them a poor choice for dogs who need restricted amounts of these minerals.” Such dogs include growing large-breed puppies as well as dogs with kidney disease and certain types of bladder and kidney stones. As of today (6/5), the antler growing season is almost halfway through. Bull elk antlers start growing in early April and are typically fully grown by mid-August. Below are the words of Jeremy Banfield, Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist. Instead, I recommend buying chew toys that have some flexibility or ‘give’ to them, even for large, powerful dogs….It’s better to replace chew toys more frequently than it is to have to spend hundreds of dollars to have your veterinarian repair or remove a broken tooth.” It does not take very long for bull elk to grow antlers.
Rule of paw: don’t buy any chew toy that you wouldn’t want to be whacked in the knee with. Becker, “I believe that hard plastic or nylon chews, sterilized bones, cow hooves and antlers are too hard to be safe for most dogs. A broken tooth is extremely painful and can sometimes become abscessed.” Adds Dr. Writes popular veterinary personality Marty Becker, DVM, “excessively hard chew toys are a common cause of broken teeth in dogs. What the ad doesn’t say is that like any treat made of bone (antlers are bone), they have the risk of breaking or wearing teeth, just like all other bones. A natural source of collagen, calcium, phosphorous, and other nutrients.”
One ad on a very popular, well-respected site says that elk antlers are “ideal for puppies, aggressive chewers, and large dogs because they last extremely long and won’t splinter or chip….Bone-hard texture helps clean teeth, massage gums, and exercise jaws as your dog chews. It is more than reasonable for you to be concerned-and confused-about whether to feed your dog elk antlers. Q: Are elk antlers okay for dogs to chew on? I stopped giving them to my German shepherd because I thought they were wearing down his teeth.
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