My friends Golden Retriever just cracked a big molar on an antler.  She know's it was that because she was sitting there when he was chewing it and heard the tooth crack.  This dog is about 18 months old.

This is why I don't give mine antlers, my vet told me she sees this all the time.  Just wanted you guys to know to be really careful when using those antlers.

I think it's mostly seen with whole antlers? The halved ones (with the exposed middle) I have read are OK.

I don't see how this is a problem with moose antlers as well? They're so soft I can't see how my dogs can crack a tooth on it. Do you know which kind of antler specifically it was?

Moose and Elk antlers tend to be much softer than deer antlers. I don't get split antlers anymore, bbut I watch to make sure the antlers have a big marrow spot so it's relatively soft on the inside.

I prefer beef ribs to antlers now, much softer and when they are raw they are safe.

Agreed Moose and Elk antlers are softer variety than Mule or Whitetail antlers (which are the hardest variety of antlers on the market)...I give my dogs moose sections frequently, Elk as well with no issues. You can also soak the pieces to make them softer as well if you are that concerned.

I sometimes soak mine in chicken or beef broth.

HuskyMom09 wrote:

Agreed Moose and Elk antlers are softer variety than Mule or Whitetail antlers (which are the hardest variety of antlers on the market)...I give my dogs moose sections frequently, Elk as well with no issues.  You can also soak the pieces to make them softer as well if you are that concerned.

mbarnard0429 wrote:

I sometimes soak mine in chicken or beef broth.

Oh thats such a great idea!! I had a couple elk antlers that I'm afraid were too hard that I put away and was planning on throwing them away, will have to try soaking them!

arooroomom wrote:

I think it's mostly seen with whole antlers? The halved ones (with the exposed middle) I have read are OK.

Good to know, my vet has always told me to stay away from antlers and hooves.  She probably means the whole ones too.  I checked and it was a whole antler that broke the dogs tooth. She got it from a pet store she doesn't remember which animal it was from but it was a large solid piece of antler. He goes Monday to have the rest of the tooth pulled poor guy!'

Good info! We tried a few of the smaller split antlers, but they're gone in a day with Harry. The big elk antler we got him has lasted a while now. it's definitely harder than the split ones to chew (not sure which animal they were). I'll have to try soaking the next one a bit before giving it to him. I can see how this would help as the current one is noticeably softer from hours and hours of drool.

I use antlers cause Thane loves them. I soak them about once a month in hot broth and the tend to become softer, cause he kind of chews like a sissy lol.

How long should they be soaked/how often?

I don't put mine in hot water or boiling water. I just let them soak overnight in low sodium broth

I just drop mine in water buckets over night, plain ol' water.

Has anyone tried the yak cheese chew stick things? They are like a small yellow brick.

I just got Bourbon a himalyan yak chew which yak milk that almost looks carmelized or curddled and hardend. It is suppose to be good but I have not tried it out yet. I think it was Kelly that might have said she liked to get them. Thanks for the antler soak information I think I will try this. My antler is not highly utilized in my house do not know why but Bourobn is not crazy on it. He likes it but he walks away form it. Surprise there. I honestly can not remember if mine is deer or elk but I think elk and its smaller so that is good.

I got them beef ribs last night actually, the girls the husky aussie and the aussie ate theirs during a movie last night so 1.5-2 hours is what they lasted. They got them to break into smaller pieces not too small but. Bourbon chewed on his the whole time just chewing not breaking or "eat"ing. After the movie I placed his in a drawer for future use.

xredrainx wrote:

Has anyone tried the yak cheese chew stick things?  They are like a small yellow brick.

Yep. Ajax loves them, and the one i had lasted just as long as a bully stick. I like that you can throw it in the microwave when it gets small to puff it up so they can finish it off without the choking hazard.

Oh I like that microwave trick i did not know that.

Should a moose or elk antler be OK for a dog that's ground some teeth down on a bone? I can readily get elk from my work but it's whole not split. Moose would probably be better? Bella LOVES her bone, I think it's a smoked one that we got from my boss when I first brought the pups home, but she's ground some back teeth down on it. It's been taken but I let her have it the last few days cause I was trying to adjust her to a different crate and it seems like that tooth is still being ground down. I just need to find something that she likes that's softer, I feel bad she has nothing to chew and the chewing calms her.

While some object to the artificial bones (Nylabone for example), I like them.  They're designed to shred so there are no big pieces to cause a blockage and they're soft enough that they're a good chew toy.  I have a couple here that my two will chew on from time to time but not aggressively.

Moose would be better, Alicia.

mbarnard0429 wrote:

Moose would be better, Alicia.

Not that I'm questioning your expertise but "Why??" Just curious ....

Moose is softer- if you read the prior comments. Moose and Elk are the softer antler varieties. I will never give deer 'tines' (points) Whitetail is the hardest variety of antler.

Also, you need to pay special attention to what TYPE of chewer your dog is. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, your dog can break its teeth on almost any type of chew.

OK moose it will be when I can get them.  I can get elk from work easily but I'd rather it be a tad softer so will go with moose.  
I don't do nylabones for two reasons, one I was warned off them by my friend/trainer/boss with her saying they are a no go for her cause of cancer causing chemicals in them, and two my pups don't seem to like plastic or rubber toys really.  They have two Kong type toys that are only used if I put treats in them, two old rubber bones we just gave away because they wouldn't touch them at all!  Now a ball is another story as long as it isn't solid rubber.
Bella I wouldn't classify as an aggressive chewer...she chews pretty hard sometimes but doesn't aim to bite it into pieces.  She's gotten better since she's had the bone this time, when it was first given to her she would sit and chew for an hour or more now she seems to be chewing for 10 to 15 minutes then backing off for a bit.
Thanks everyone!  I've never given antlers before so was a bit uncertain!

mbarnard0429 wrote:

I don't put mine in hot water or boiling water. I just let them soak overnight in low sodium broth

That's an awesome idea Nala has a few that aren't too hard or anything but I'm sure she'd love the extra beef flavor!