bully-breath-sticks-antlers etc.

[Sally]

OK so lately Duncan REALLY wants to chew. He has always been a bully stick chewer. (thank god not a furniture chewer)

But now it seems he's chewing them down to nubs in less than an hour where previously he'd chew on one for a couple of days.

Also, we go to the dog park almost daily and he spends too much time chewing on sticks. I usually don't allow him to chew sticks but it is hard to get him to "leave it" there. I think part of it is a nervous habit. When he's warming up and finding his place among the dogs he tends to gnaw. Kinda like his cigarette.:) 

His breath always smells icky. I know he's a dog and that it's normal for them to have doggie breath but it smells like dried blood like when you have a tooth pulled. I brush his teeth and he also gets one or two small dental chews. And i always inspect inside his mouth to make sure nothing is stuck rotting between teeth.

Anyway, all this rambling but I'm wondering if anyone's doods chew on antlers and if they might help with dental hygiene and be a replacement for the bully sticks (which I think might be a cause of the breath).

[Pat & "Tucker"]

I have to try these antlers- a month- that's incredible. Tucker is a HUGE chewer too- nothing lasts. I gave up on toys.

[Meridith and Lola]

I have a 15 month goldendoodle about that same size and haven't given her bully sticks in awhile because she would go through them so quickly. I agree that the antlers are good but Lola gets bored pretty quickly with them but will go back to them for a little bit every day. I have found chewgars which are very compressed rawhide to last much longer. Usually get a few days out of them (www.chewgars.com). I also found another compressed rawhide (white in the shape of a bond) that lasts quite awhile -I've been seeing them in a few different stores/websites and even Target. Neither of these leave any bad breath residue.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Have you bought an antler with a lot of marrow exposed? Peri has one antler that is skinny - won't touch it. Taquito won't either. They steal the same one back and forth from each other...it is the one that is fatter and has more of the "good stuff" exposed.

[Meridith and Lola]

I've bought two different ones but from the same company. They are both pretty small. One is completely round and smooth and she seemed to not make any dent in it even after a lot of use. I bought another one just for a change. This one seemed cut in half and has a rough surface. She seemed to like both equally.

[Lee Seidman]

Rawhide is not digestable and can get caught in their intestines and stomach. Look at CET Chews on the net....our Doodle love them, we get from the VET...they help dental problems and are similiar to a healthy rawhide...we never give Nylabones, they are the worst!

[Kyoko]

I am a big fan of Elk Antlers! Both of my dogs love it, and it is oderless, and last for a long time!! I think I only bought 3 in past 6 months or so, and still have 1 1/2 of them!! Plus, it does not splint like hooves. Elk Antlers are much bigger than deer antlers.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have to try these! Darwin goes through bully sticks in 20 minutes, and his breath STINKS afterwards. The best place to get them is the Antlerz website?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We have some local places that sell them for a good price. You might want to check around your area if shipping is high. I know a few members have purchased them on ebay (the Antlerz brand in the sealed bag).
I personally like to pick mine out in person because you can see the size of the marrow opening (bigger the better in my opinion).
Peri must be a more diligent chewer than others because I have to buy one every 6 weeks or so. Still, for $12 that is better than a bully stick!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Bigger opening? I am not exactly sure what you mean. Do you mean just a wider antler?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes - you will see the marrow area of the bone (where it is cut). You will know what I mean when you see it! The skinnier ones are harder for them to gnaw on the middle portion where that marrow is. This is sounding disgusting - but it is hard to explain!! I will try to take a photo of Peri's tonight and post it here.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Okay, thanks! I'm heading to the pet bakery where we get his food, they probably have them.

[Azure & Muppet]

Camilla, we've been able to get them at stores locally. The place I buy quality dog food in Salt Lake sells locally supplied antlers in their store. It's called the Dog's Meow and it's located on 33rd (not too far from Tanner's Park). I also prefer to look at the selection and pick mine out in person to get a good one. But my family hunts deer and elk, so we're able to get a large fresh supply for free that way. So if you know anyone that hunts, it can't hurt to ask (they may sometimes want to keep the rack as a trophy if it was especially large). Most ethical hunters are happy to use all parts of the animal so nothing goes to waste.