I don’t give treats or rawhides, they chew on heavy canvas toys or antlers and they are going through antlers at 100$ a month pace. Any recommendations on where I can get them cheaply?

I pay 9$ per at the PX but those are pretty small in size and Jelly can destroy one of them in 2 days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OttoSig,

TJ Maxx and Marshall's. Large one about $10. It's where I get them for Roman

Go for a walk in the woods. It's shed season, and they're free. Then you can use the money you save to pay the vet bill for the broken teeth or the bowel surgery.

Any interest in a drive out to Berryville, VA
I’ve got a medium trash can of them, would be happy for you to receive them.
I’m around this weekend. I will see if I can send a picture of what I have tomorrow to your email if you are interested.

Regarding using naturally shed antlers that are not from a retailer, in parts of the country deer have wasting disease. Make sure these antlers have been sanitized before you give them to your pup.

Whole, vs. split antlers may be too hard and cause dental injuries. Split antlers are a bit easier on the teeth.

We have elk antlers commercially sold available for our dogs. takes them months to work them down to a size I’m not comfortable with them chewing on. Both -80 pound coonhounds. They also have access to big Y shaped ‘Benebone’ brand chews (bacon flavoured and US made) Those last a year at least. They have a basket with at least a half dozen or so various chews they can pick from. They are smart enough to go pick one out of the basket but too lazy to put them back. That’s my job. Find those chews all over.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Regarding using naturally shed antlers that are not from a retailer, in parts of the country deer have wasting disease. Make sure these antlers have been sanitized before you give them to your pup.

I was curious about this. Michigan State University claims little to no risk.

The prions definitely are present in velvet, but probably not so much in the bone.

And regarding sanitizing, I'm not sure that there is a way to properly sanitize for CWD prions that wouldn't completely destroy the antler itself. Denaturing the proteins is the only way to reliably do it and that ain't an easy process.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Regarding using naturally shed antlers that are not from a retailer, in parts of the country deer have wasting disease. Make sure these antlers have been sanitized before you give them to your pup.

I was curious about this. Michigan State University claims little to no risk.

The prions definitely are present in velvet, but probably not so much in the bone.

And regarding sanitizing, I'm not sure that there is a way to properly sanitize for CWD prions that wouldn't completely destroy the antler itself. Denaturing the proteins is the only way to reliably do it and that ain't an easy process.

Would microwaving work?

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Would microwaving work?

That I don't know.

I know they tried it in the UK back when the mad cow thing was going on, but I'm not sure of the results. Since it's still an issue, though, I don't guess it was too successful.

One of our resident veterinarians may have more information on that.

My first thought is that sounds like a LOT of antler for a dog to consume. The bits they swallow could really cause stomach or intestinal issues. I get that they need a chew, but we limit our dog’s consumption to avoid other issues.

I usually get ours from Amazon, I look for xtra large, and whole elk antlers. So far, so good. Have been doing this for over 10 years. Prices have gone up a bit, but a really nice one went for around $40 or so. But it was over 8 inches, and very thick, not a little tine for example.

A buddy buys buffalo horns at Meijers for $5 a piece.
Says they last a long time.

His dog will chew damn near anything to shreds in no time. This is the best thing he's found.