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!

 

[Carol and Banjo]

Banjo is a prolific chewer....I've given up on nearly everything except the Antlers.  They're clean, odorless and last a LONG time.  I bought a bag of 10 or so about 3 months back and he still has the 1st two I gave him.   One we keep in the back seat of the car and the other in his "toy box".     No tummy troubles, no little shavings, no residue or slime.   I was not keen on paying up for these....but they're MORE than worth the price.   I don't know about anyone putting them in their mouth....but  I don't think it would be the end of the world....FAR better an antler than a bullystick!!   : )

[Adina P]

Did you get your bag at the Antler pantry like a lot of people recommend or locally?

[Carol and Banjo]

Free Range Dog Chews - Buckarooz - purchased locally.

[Melissa]

There are several different brands out there.  I buy the Antlerz (with a Z) so that is what I will base my answers on.  Here is a little bit about them.

 QT Dog, LLC., of Dallas, Texas unveils a totally new, 100% natural, long lasting dog chew. The new chew is made from a natural material that does not splinter and comes from a completely renewable source: Deer Antlers! Wild deer shed their antlers once a year as part of a natural process, after which the deer re-grow another set. These shed antlers are gathered by ranch workers and transported to QT Dog’s manufacturing facility. The antlers are cut to the appropriate size, cleaned, and packaged to produce ANTLERZ™ brand dog chews. ANTLERZ™ hold up substantially longer than most traditional chews made from plastic, bone, or compacted starch. Unlike processed livestock bones ANTLERZ™ don’t chip or splinter when they are being used by even the most aggressive chewing dogs. A dog’s chewing action grinds ANTLERZ™ down slowly. ANTLERZ™ are a 100% natural dog chew that contain no plastics, no petrochemicals, no empty starches or artificial flavors. ANTLERZ™ are not a by-product generated by a meat processing facility or slaughter house.

1. Do they have ANY odor?  No!  Unless you stick your nose right on it and it is only slight.
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).  I do believe they are clean enough - see above.
3. Do they get slimy at all like bully sticks? no they don't.  Only wet from the dog chewing, but dry nicely
4. Is there residue left on the dog's paws after chewing or on the rug? Have not noticed any.  Buddy chews his on the carpet, his bed and even in our bed.
5. Does it shed little shavings? Haven't noticed any.
6. Do they last a considerable time or are they something I have to buy every few weeks? Buddy has had his for Months.  He is a mini, and we got him the Jumbo size so it lasts longer..I believe they also have a Monstor size.
7. Have ANY of your dogs gotten diarrhea or upset tummies from them?  Not at all!  Buddy could not tolerate the Bully sticks...that gave him the runs...nothing with the Antlerz. 

 

Buddy LOVES his antler.  He got a little possesive at first but after taking it away and giving it back several times he no longer guards it.  Other than that, it makes him VERY happy!  Good luck in your decision!

[Camilla and Darwin]

1- They don't have an odor as far as I can tell. He will chew on it right by me and then come up to breath in my face, I smell nothing. Aside from his usual doggie breath that is. :-)

2 - I have no idea.

3- No, that hasn't been my experience at all. It may be wet from the dog's saliva but it does not make the antler itself soggy or anything. 

4- No, this is one of my favorite things about them. 

5- Not any that I have noticed.

6-Yes, they last 3 months or more here.

7 -No. 

 

I deleted my comment and added a new one because it wouldn't let me edit my comment...

Antlers have been lifesavers! 10 bucks or less from my local pet bakery and it lasts him months. He chews it every day, no bad breath, no sticky stuff, it's great. 

 

[Kim]

1. NO!!!!!  No odor at all. 
   
2. I'm not sure I would let a child chew on them (lol) 
3. No!!!!  They don't get slimy!
   
4. No residue on paws OR the rug (even better)
   
5. I don't think it sheds little shavings, as my area rug is "clean" after Allie has been chewing
6. It depends on what type of antler you are going to get.  I have a whole antler that has lasted about 6 months, and it hasn't gotten much smaller either, for that matter.  Allie is NOT a big chewer though - so this is probably not normal.  We got her an antler that is split in 1/2 so the marrow is more accessible and that probably lasts her about 1 1/2 - 2 months, so it would probably last a normal chewer a lot less than that.
7. Allie is the Queen of diarrhea and the Antlers don't cause any diarrhea or stomach upset!!!

[Frannie & Callie]

I'm on the Antler bandwagon too.  When I first got Callie, she chewed up my house (out of boredom). I went to the Pet Gallery (local pet store) and asked advice on "chewables" that would last a long time. I ended up with a bully stick, a himalayan chew, a marrow bone, and an antler (about 6" long). I gave her the bully stick first. It only took about 10 minutes to consume and then it gave Callie explosive diarrhea. Then I gave her the marrow bone. That one was a great success! Then the himalayan chew. Callie was done with that in about 20 minutes. No stomach fallout, but no real point either. Then I gave her the antler. It was PERFECT. Callie loves them. I now have 4 at the house, not because she consumes them (or even gets bored with them) but so that there are always plenty to go around when we have a foster of a playdate over (not that it matters...they all want the same one). Callie chews on all of them and they are far and away her favorite chew toy.

 

 My answers below, in all caps (for distinction, I'm not shouting)

1. Do they have ANY odor? I HAVEN'T NOTICED, BUT I'M SUPER SENSITIVE TO SMELLS AND WOULD HAVE NOTICED. I COULDN'T BE IN THE SAME ROOM WHEN SHE ATE A BULLY STICK - IT GAVE ME THE GAGGIES (AND THAT WAS BEFORE I KNEW WHAT IT WAS MADE FROM!)
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). CANT ANSWER SPECIFICALLY, BUT THEY "SEEM" CLEAN
3. Do they get slimy at all like bully sticks?  NOPE, LIKE OTHERS HAVE INDICATED,  THEY JUST GET WET FROM DOG SALIVA.
4. Is there residue left on the dog's paws after chewing or on the rug? NO
5. Does it shed little shavings?   NO, BUT THE "SPLIT" ANTLERS WILL MAKE LITTLE CHIPS
6. Do they last a considerable time or are they something I have to buy every few weeks? IT DEPENDS ON HOW STRONG A CHEWER THE DOG IS. CALLIE IS A MODERATED CHEWER AND I HAVE HAD ONE OF MY ANTLERS OVER A YEAR. MY FOSTER BIXBY GOT THROUGH ONE IN 3 WEEKS. (HE ATTACKED IT LIKE IT WAS HIS JOB)
7. Have ANY of your dogs gotten diarrhea or upset tummies from them? NOT AT ALL, AND EVERYTHING UPSETS CALLIE'S STOMACH.

Sidebar...if I notice that Callie leaves the antlers alone for a few days, I soak one overnight in some chicken broth. Interest is immediately renewed!

[Adina P]

Interesting that Bixby took 3 weeks to devour one...I fear that might be Boca's speed too.  

[Frannie & Callie]

I probably shouldn't have let Bixby focus on the antler as much as he did. He was seriously like a man possessed (but it made his teeth so clean and shiny!!!). I should have regulated it and not let him have it all day.

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is an awesome tip!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

My guys love antlers that I get from Antler Pantry.  So have all our fosters; I send an antler with them when they go to their forever families.  No smell, no slim, no shavings and they last forever.  After the dogs have worked the good stuff out of the center I will "refresh" the antlers by boiling them in beef or chicken broth.  Even our cats munch on the tiny sizes.

[Ellen]

Here are my two cents:

1. Do they have ANY odor?   No prominent odor, but as Melissa noted, there is a slight smell if you put them up to your nose. 
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).   I think that they are clean enough (minus the dog saliva).  The surface of the antlers is smooth and doesn't pick up any lint. 
3. Do they get slimy at all like bully sticks?   Nope!
4. Is there residue left on the dog's paws after chewing or on the rug?  No residue in terms of discoloration, but see the response to the next comment.
5. Does it shed little shavings?   Occassionally, I'll find bits and pieces on the floor, esp. if Riley chews on the inner part of the antlers.  When I ordered the antlers online (Orvis), the "large" size wasn't really large at all, and Riley was able to chew bits off within a week.  I now purchase elk antlers (vs deer) at a local pet store -- they are larger, and they barely look like they've been chewed on.
6. Do they last a considerable time or are they something I have to buy every few weeks?    Riley is about 50 pounds but a hard chewer (e.g., he chews on the Nylabone Galileo bones -- Wolf size).  As I mentioned earlier, he went through the smaller antlers over a period of 3-4 months before I threw them out because I didn't want them to pose a choking hazard.  But with the new larger antlers, he's been chewing them for over 6 months.  
7. Have ANY of your dogs gotten diarrhea or upset tummies from them?   I haven't observed any GI issues with the antlers.  On a side note, in Asian cultures, antlers are considered to have positive health effects.  Antlers are often mixed with herbs and medicines, and this is going to sound disgusting, but drinking antler blood is supposed to cure many ailments.  My grandfather operated a small deer farm outside of Seoul for the sole reason of harvesting the antlers for my grandmother who suffered from multiple strokes -- I don't know if it was the antlers or not, but she lived past 70 years with full motor skills despite her history of strokes.