I was talking to someone at work today about antlers being used as dog chews and they said their husband occasionally comes across muntjac or red deer antlers on the shoot, and did I want him to pick some up, I did a quick search on the LB site and the only thread I saw was about Elk antlers, would the muntjac or red variety be suitable for dogs??

About the only thing you may want to check is that possession of those antlers is legal in your state. Some Fish & Game laws are pretty picky about that stuff.

Terrible idea, IMO.

Muntjac are small, but red deer can get upwards of 500 lbs.

Antlers are routinely used in battle with one another. Like weight bearing bones, they are built to stand up to heavy use.

It's asking for a busted molar, IMO.

As far as I know where we are, if you hit a deer with your car, you have to report it for removal, but my freinds husband runs the shoot so maybe if its on their land it may be antlers are his?? not sure though...

And yes that was the part of one of the older threads that caught my eye about broken teeth, so that answers my question in a nutshell!

Thanks

$700 broken tooth from an antler chew here. Although, in fairness, the vet said a dog could break a tooth on most anything. My other dogs had no problems with the chews. But after the broken tooth all antlers were taken away.

Ouch on the bill and the tooth, no antlers here either then!

We sell TONS of them where I work. I think it's a great idea for a dog who isn't super enthusiastic about chewing.... after a couple of large antlers chews, I noticed some major wear points/grooves on Koenig's teeth that didn't use to be there. No more antler chews for us. (He'd also go through a 12'' long, 2-3'' thick antler in a couple weeks. Aggressive chewer)

I'm afraid If I kept giving them to him, we'd be in the same boat Tracy was in.

what about beef leg bones? do they cause teeth problems. a meat market gives me beef leg bones about 2 ft long, i cut them up with a electric saw.they kept her busy thanks in advance

Any chew toy depends on the dog. For an aggressive chewer, a leg bone is plenty hard enough to break a tooth. They are hard enough to hold up a cow, after all. If your dog behaves with them, them they might be fine. A dog trying to crack one would risk a broken molar.

Softer alternatives are any raw poultry bones--turkey necks, say--or non weight bearing bones like ribs or vertebra from cows or pigs.

I do let my dogs chew on fresh deer antlers (sharp points sawed off) and cow/moose leg bones. They aren’t aggressive chewers with them though.

I would never give them one before or with a meal when they may feel the need to get through it at any lightening speed to fill a void their stomach may be feeling. It’s usually in the evening or after a long outing of exercise, when they’re calm and relaxed. Not an everyday thing and pure recreation, never taking the place of exercise or a meal.

Perhaps I’ve been lucky but this is one area where I do (knock on wood) trust the chewing discretion of my particular boys.

I think, like Tracy mentioned, damage can be caused by any number of things that dogs put their teeth on. Allowing them to casually enjoy chewing away at a bone stronger than they’re capable of destroying simply provides my guys with some relaxing entertainment.

Having said that, I don’t think they’re appropriate for all dogs. There are a few I’ve been around that I wouldn’t think of giving one of these treats to.

I’ll definitely let you know if I’m ever eating my words while forking out one of those hefty dental bills.