So, are the antlers from different deer all the same? Not at all. That’s all the processing which is done, so they are truly natural products! (Bone products should never be fully boiled as it can make them brittle).
Once harvested, the antlers are cut down to size and the sharp points are removed or sanded down. Anyway, most dogs prefer fresh deer antlers, rather than ones which have been drying out in the sun for weeks before they are harvested. This way none of the hunted animal goes to waste. Horns have a core of bone, covered in a layer of keratin, much like our fingernails, and are permanent structures which don’t shed.Įven though antlers are naturally shed annually, most that are used for dog treats are by-products of the hunting industry.
Horns can be found on both males and females, unlike antlers which are typically only on males. Towards the end of their growth, the blood flow stops and the antler mineralises, ready to impress females and fight off competing males.Īntlers are commonly confused with horns, but horns and antlers are very different structures. During that time, they are very soft, flowing with blood and covered in a soft layer called velvet. Antlers are shed every year, and a whole new one grows for the breeding season. They are made up of a bone-like substance, which originates as cartilage and slowly mineralises. What are Deer Antlers?Īntlers are unique to the deer family, and grow on more than sixty kinds of male deer. Throw away the antler when it has worn down to a small size which your dog can fit entirely in his mouth. Remove the antler if he is becoming too aggressive with his gnawing to avoid dental fractures. Always supervise your dog when he has an antler.Ĭhoose the right size – not one that is too small for your dog to swallow, yet not so large that they cannot chew on it easily.
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