Deer antlers? Any thoughts?

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hello all!! I am wondering if deer antlers are something I can give Hunter.  My husband is a hunter and his friend got a buck this weekend and my husband took the antlers (and other parts!) for Hunter.  I know that the antlers that I have bought Hunter in the past have been elk.  Does anyone have any thoughts or know a reason Hunter shouldn't have the deer antlers? 

[Kim]

I am interested in this discussion - I was wondering the same thing. I'm wondering if maybe the antlers we buy in the stores are somehow processed???

I'm sure someone will have an answer!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I was thinking they had to be processed somehow when we buy them - Carol had the idea below about boiling them first which I think would be a good idea. I hope someone on here has actually give them to their doodle. I can't see what the harm would be....

[Tammy & Gracie]

As far as I know they are pretty much the same. I would have no idea how to prepare them though.

[Carol and Banjo]

Hi Denise - I believe hunters often have their dogs "find" actual shed deer antlers - just for the dog's pleasure. Deer antlers are fine for dogs. I may be wrong about this...but just to be safe I might boil the antler for a little bit....just to be sure there is no weird bacteria or disease lurking.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Very good idea on the boiling - my husband said he was going to file down the corners so nothing is sharp but I hadn't thought of that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Deer antlers are actually harder than elk antlers. We have lots of discussions here in TFG about them. There is some tiny concern that the ones you find shed may carry disease, so I would make sure to sterilize them first.
Here's one discussion about them, there are many others if you do a search:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/antlers-1?groupUrl=thefood...

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

These were not shed - they are from a buck that he shot which appears to be a very healthy deer since they have already processed it themselves (ok yuck!). I would be way more hesitant if I had found them shed I think..... The buck actually had somewhat of a goofy rack so they weren't interested in mounting it or keeping them, that's how I ended up with them. Hunter can chew through a regular antler that I have bought in about a 1/2 hour so being harder might be better for us.

[Kim]

HOLY DOODLE!!!!!!! Hunter sure does like to chew! It takes Allie MONTHS. We throw them away because they get so old before she's really made much of a dent in them at all!!! I did finally find the Antlers that are split in 1/2 and she seems to like them better, but I still can see them lasting for at least a month!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have both antlers for my two but I did give them a shed one I found on my property before it was fenced. No difference at all. If you boil the I'd do it real briefly to just clean the outside but I seriously doubt the commercial ones have this done. Just don't give Hunter the tips which are small and could break off. the commercial ones are usually sawn to about 4-5".

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Great, thank you! My DH was going to saw and file them - he was worried about her cutting herself. If only Hunter knew about her treat waiting for her when he gets home :-) We have given her the bones since she was a puppy but normally he just has doe's. If we get a lot maybe Hunter can send Christmas gifts this year. LOL

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Exactly what I was thinking. Christmas gifts for all Hunter's dog friends. They will look very nice with a big red ribbon!

[Deirdre]

Found it! When I was searching for Antlers there was a web sight that mentioned how they cleaned them "wash them in a mild peroxide solution." Of course I thought I would remember this in case I ever found some but age has set in.