Need Your Feedback on Antlers!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Food Groupies. I need some help/info/feedback on antlers.

As most of you know, JD has Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and is on a very restricted diet. Since last December, he has not been allowed to have any chew objects except for plain Dura-chew Nylabones. This is because they are hypoallergenic in terms of not setting off an immune reaction in his gut, and the pieces he chews off are no bigger than a grain of rice, which is smooth and easily passed. 

The problem is, he really doesn't like them very much, and only chews them when he gets desperate. He needs something to occupy him, and also help with tartar on his teeth, since he can no longer have any dental chews or toothpaste.

He cannot have most protein sources. But I think he could have elk or deer antlers, if I could be sure that he could not splinter them or break off any sizeable pieces. He is a very powerful chewer.

So what I'm looking for here are your experiences with your dogs and antlers. Do they just kind of wear them down, gnawing on them, without really getting anything much off of them? Or do they break off pieces? Anyone ever have any chipping, splintering or splitting of the antler? Anyone's dog ever break off a chunk?

All feedback is much appreciated.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Suzanne, what kind were the antlers that splintered? Deer or elk? Whole, split, etc? 

It's also good to know about the Himalayan chews, because I thought about trying that, too. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

The Himalayan chews disappear in no time flat here also. It's a lot of money for a little time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jane sent him a big Himalayan chew last year for his birthday, and unfortunately, it arrived the same week that the IBD first reared its ugly head, so it's still sitting untouched. :(

[Suzanne & Jack]

I'm not sure what kind they were. It was when antlers were just coming out as chews, maybe deer. I just bought them Elk antler splits which they seem to be enjoying. I got them at our Pet Expo, but the website is
Elkantlerdogtreats.com

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you!

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

Carla, I bring the beef (or chicken) broth to a boil, take it off the heat and put the antlers in. I let them sit for about an hour in the broth and have never had a problem with it making them softer. I do that when they've had same antlers for a while to bump up the interest again.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Great. I'll try that . Thanks. Oooooo my doggies will be so happy!!! Rejuvenated antlers so I don't have to buy more and they'll think they're getting a new treat. Win, win....lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And I am thinking that when I boil chicken for JD, I could put an antler in the pot of water afterwards to renew his interest.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

As long as it's JD's chicken soup and not yours!...just thinking chicken soup, lockshen, kneidlach and...antler : )

[F, Calla & Luca]

: )

[Gail and Bailey]

Karen, the antlers are a great idea for JD.  Bailey has has many of them for a long time and they are still intact but are "worn down".  I always get her the split ones so she has lots of marrow exposed.  I have seen some that are cut on an angle so there is a bit more marrow exposed to keep them interested but not the entire length. 

I am also a huge fan of the West Paw Design chew toys!!  It is unbelievable how a powerful chewer like Bailey can sit and gnaw on them for hours and not even make a tooth mark.  They are wonderful!  They have a wonderful sort of softness about them that allows the dog to really chew (almost like chewing gum) but the material they are made of is very solid.  I love watching her chew them and it makes such a funny "squeeky" noise as her teeth move over the wet toy.  They are my all time favorite and when she is in her crate there is always one with her.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Gail.

Ordinarily, JD is not a big chewer. He has never, ever chewed up any toy or any other object, from the day I first brought him home at 14 months old. He barely has any interest in toys at all, so I don't think he will go for the chew toys. 

When he was healthy, he really wasn't even very interested in marrow bones; he only liked things he could actually eat, lol. But since he's been sick and can't have the tendons, tracheas, etc that he used to love, he's been increasingly looking for something to gnaw on. It broke my heart when he went rummaging in his toy basket looking for his old marrow bones which he had previously mostly ignored. So I think I need something that at least tastes or smells like some kind of food. 

Do you buy the deer or elk antlers?