Okay Antler fans...sell them to me!

[Adina P]

I don't normally buy my dogs chew 'treats' -- they have all been more than happy gnawing away at their sterilized real bones and the tough Nylabones.  So I don't really want to fix what's not broken. I am of the 'buy them a bunch of things that last nearly forever and forget about it' mindset.

I also don't like giving them any other animal 'parts' to munch on besides the sterilized bones. Rosco, for instance, makes such a nice wet spot under wherever he is chewing even a bone that the thought of him making bully stick saliva juices on my rugs ... blech!  

But so many of you swear by antlers so I want you to tell me about them. 

1. Do they have ANY odor?
2. Are they 'clean' enough so my daughter can pick one up and if she puts it in her mouth (because she might) I don't have to worry? (I realize that anything that the dogs have been chewing on and has gone in and out of the house has potential to be germy...but I'm just wondering about antlers specifically).
3. Do they get slimy at all like bully sticks?
4. Is there residue left on the dog's paws after chewing or on the rug?
5. Does it shed little shavings?
6. Do they last a considerable time or are they something I have to buy every few weeks?
7. Have ANY of your dogs gotten diarrhea or upset tummies from them?

Thanks so much!

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Simple, no muss, no fuss, no problems. Would I let Natalie put one in her mouth--she's probably had lots of doodle saliva by now--what's a little more? I've even gotten them on ebay. and even with Calla, who gnaws on them more than Luca, they lasts for months.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

No, no, no, no, etc (in response to your detailed questions)..........I agree with most other posts. HOWEVER, we just got the half angler (cut in half lengthwise, so more marrow is exposed) and although Peri loves it, I can see it will not be lasting as long as a whole antler.

We also buy from Antlerpantry.com  I just bought 4 for $20 with shipping (that includes some xs for my little squirt).  Linda with Antler Pantry even threw in an extra one because clearly I buy regularly (about every other month or two).   We LOVE antlers.

[Kim]

OMD!!!!!  I guess I'm shopping from antlerpantry from now on.  We buy from our local boutique and I spent $16 on ONE!!!!!! 

 

OK - so I just went to look at the webpage and I guess I'm not paying a bad price at the local boutique.  The split antler we got was an XXL size for $16, the antlerpantry is $18. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

$18???  I just paid $8 for the medium and it is HUGE. YOu do NOT need to buy XXL from antlerpantry. The mediums are at least 8" long!!!  The xxl would be over a foot long - i have bought it for Astro the big red dood and it is HUGE

[Kim]

the boutique only sells the XXL antlers.  They are about 14-16 inches long for $16. 

[Adina P]

Wow that is like a tree branch!  Don't need 'em quite that big.  Boca has an annoying habit of walking real close to you while prancing with her bones and since most of her bones hang out the side of her mouth it can scratch you...she'd be downright dangerous with a 14-16 inch antler!  If only I could figure out a way to train that out of her.

[Kim]

Do you take the smaller antlers away when they get small?  I would be afraid of getting the small antlers for Allie because when I didn't know any better and let her have rawhide, she would swallow the rawhide sticks whole - without chewing them.  I would be afraid of her swallowing the antler as well.

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh that's a great question.....I'm never sure what is TOO small.   Banjo gets silly with his sometimes and toss them up and then catches them....and I'm always a bit nervous it'll go clear down his throat!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I take them away when they are 2" or shorter.  The 14-16" long for $16 is actually a GREAT value in my opinion, Kim!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have taken one away that got gnawed down to about 3-4 inches as Murphy will swallow bullysticks that big (or small) in one gulp. The ones I have now are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about 8 inches long. Murphy is a medium chewer, as he can have a stuffed toy for a few days but Marley is a very rough chewer and NOTHING lasts around him. The Antlerz are perfect, long lasting and don't splinter that i can ever see, It's more like they get worn down. I can't remember the last place I bought them and that frustrates me as they were a great price and a perfect size. It will come to me. Probably a recommendation from DK somewhere in another discussion. Just get one Adina and see how you like it.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Our local dog bakery sells large antlers for 6-8 dollars. These are more than big enough for Darwin. Mediums are even cheaper. Maybe it's because they are local antlers though... but 16 dollars seems like an awful lot. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Wow, they sell "mediums" (probably 6-8" long) for $20+ in Nashville. Robbery.

That's probably why Nina buys from Antler pantry too - she is in Atlanta - maybe cost of living is higher?