Antlers - good or not?

[TooBusyByHalf]

Are antler 'chews' good for dogs? Tried one today for first time - she loved it - suddenly paranoid it might cause tummy upset or something...?

My dogs love their antlers- I've found no issues with them except they are pricey!

I think as they are a natural product there shouldn't be any problems with them?

They can chip the dog's teeth.

My pup loves his and his teeth are ok so far. They are pricey though.

So,I was thinking of the dressing up antlers that some people put on their dogs at Christmas........

I'll get me coat.

The pup has one that he loves- it's actually really good for dropping on the wooden floor when our older dog is snoozing. We thought it was coincidence at first..... :o

Our puppy has two - a stag bar from pets at home which he's not that interested in, just licks it a bit occasionally, and a split 'easy chew' antler which he'll happily chomp on for 20 mins or so - some of the marrow has gone inside his tummy but it's so little that I can't see it causing any upset

My lab loves them and one that was bought for him Christmas 2012 has only just finished. The best ones are from Staglers I find, expensive but worth it!

I was recommended to get fallow deer antlers as they are softer than some of the other types. Here.

I also bought split antlers, where the marrow is exposed to make chewing a bit easier.

Both dogs enjoy chomping on them. They've had them for a couple of weeks now and there a long way from finished.

I've found them a godsend for the puppy while he's been teething.

Ours love them and even the geriatric one with rubbish teeth hasn't had a problem with them. There's always a slight risk with anything, our ball-obsessed loon has worn her canines down mouthing tennis balls

We've ended up with loads of them as we replace the "lost" ones which then miraculously turn up again.

The only downside we've had so far is them being left in places they're likely to be trodden on by people with their attention otherwise occupied. It really, really hurts

Floraldog currently has 3 half chewed antlers . He loves them and nylabones and the antlers are safer as the nylabones end up getting whittled away to make lethal weapons .

Mine won't touch them.

My current weimaraner LOVES his - he has 5 or 6 in varying stages of being chewed. He's 15months old now and some of them predate him. Previous weim couldn't care less (hence the Pest inheriting them).

They shouldn't cause tummy upsets but I would check teeth. The Pest hasn't had a problem but I have heard of dogs who have.

Our 6 month old lab was on his 3rd (and last) stagbar a few weeks ago.

He's a chewer and these were the only things that would last more than a few hours. First one was great, but wouldn't get again as the 2nd one ended up with sharp edges, which I filed down and thought was a one off. The 3rd one also ended up with pointed sharp bits and he cut his mouth leaving blood stains on my carpet.

I am giving him raw marrow bones now which I get free from my local farm shop and on the lookout for something else I can give him inside that will last.

My Curly Coated Retriever loved hers but it cost about £8 and she ate it in one day! I won't be buying her another one in a hurry.

Mine likes them, but they are pricey for him to lose them. I buy cow hooves which give long lasting pleasure and are vvv cheap. Though they hurt your feet if stood on