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Reply To: Antlers a safe alternative to bones?

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FrankiesDoggie
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Thanks anon101, I’d like to take a more natural approach, but brushing is something I will consider if bone chewing doesn’t do the trick.

Susan, my dog would be a cattle dog, so medium sized. There’s a butcher shop by me that sells bones all the time on the cheap, but the variety can vary wildly. I think that’s my ideal, but where I might need a cleaner alternative or something for travel I’ve been exploring alternatives. It’s interesting to learn how the little things can make a difference. For example, bones that are smoked with flavor can get dogs so excited that they excessively chew and wear down their teeth as a result. With antlers, some can break dog’s teeth because they’re so hard (such as deer antlers) while others are more safer, such as elk antlers. Recently shedded antlers are also softer than those that have aged over time (and hence become more harder). I imagine all the horror stories about antlers was due to the mistake of assuming all antlers are the same, but like bones they vary wildly in density and quality. 😳