Best Elk Antlers for Dogs & Puppies - Natural, Long-Lasting Chews
Give your tail wagging the best elk antler chew option. Elk antlers for dogs and puppies provide them with entertainment, improve dental health, and offer various nutritional benefits. Dog owners should keep their dogs and puppies busy chewing high-quality antlers instead of their personal items.
This guide will help you explore everything you need to know regarding antlers, especially elk so that you can ensure safe and long-lasting bones for dogs. Read on and understand: Are they the right choice for your dogs and puppies?
Importance of Elk Antlers
Elk antlers are crafted using excellent-quality bones and other materials collected after the natural annual shedding of an elk. Chewing the bones is very beneficial to your dogs and puppies as they fulfill the needs of various essential nutrients such as magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, and collagen that are not possible through diets all the time. Unlike conventional antlers, it feels like a hard outer core with a softer and spongier center.
According to experts: “As research into basic and applied nutrition has expanded the knowledge of canine nutrition, it is now known that a well-balanced diet must also include an appropriate amount of minerals, vitamins, certain essential amino acids (from proteins), and specific essential fatty acids (from fats). These components are needed to build and maintain tissue and carry out biological reactions, and the necessary amounts vary somewhat with the dog's stage of life (puppy, adolescent, adult, pregnancy, senior).”
Top Advantages of Elk Antlers for Puppies and Dogs
There are numerous advantages among which we have chosen a few significant ones:
- Dental Health: Elk antlers for puppies and dogs are wonderful to enhance their health and well-being. Chewing on elk antlers helps your pet achieve and maintain healthy and clean teeth by eliminating plaque and tarter accumulation. It also reduces the chance of dental effects and discomforts, including tooth decay and swollen or infectious gums.
- Nutritional Value: Elk antlers come with several vital nutrients that are necessary for the health and well-being of your pet. This mineral is important in maintaining healthy dogs that have normal lives for a long time. They support bone density, facilitate muscle function, and even improve the dog’s health and shine.
- Long-Lasting Chew: Elk antlers are not only a perfect treat but also long-lasting. According to some responsible dog owners, their dogs enjoy the chewing experience with antlers. This might be because of the strong texture and resistance against breakage, making it suitable for longer hours in aggressive chewers.
- Mental Simulation: Chewing on elk antlers can be a great mental stimulation for your dogs and puppies. The major benefit is they will be occupied instead of being bored or anxious. This will be especially helpful for a dog or puppy that spends most time alone, gloomy, or lacks the right amount of mental stimulation.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Quality Elk Antlers
When selecting premium elk antlers for dogs, here are a few significant considerations. What you should be aware of is as follows:
- Quality and Source: Research before purchasing from reliable vendors and suppliers. Ensure the antlers you buy are naturally shed instead of harvested from live animals. Naturally shed antlers are safer and preferable because they don’t contain the possibility of residues of hormones or antibiotics.
- Freshness and Condition: Check the antlers for freshness and condition. Fresh antlers don’t give foul smells and decay signs. It is better to avoid cracked antlers with sharp edges or splintering. Opt for intact and in good condition ones for your dog’s safety and well-being.
- Size and Appropriateness: You need an appropriate size of antler for your dog. Large breeds need larger antlers, but small dogs or puppies are satisfied with fragile or smaller antlers, there is a risk as your dog may swallow the bone easily or it may be too hard or difficult to chew. So, choose wisely while shopping.
- Supervise and Monitoring: Keep a constant watch or supervise your dog while they are chewing on the antlers. You need to keep a closer eye, especially during the initial introduction. Observe changes and deteriorations and replace them with an appropriate size that might cause choking.
- Allergies and Sensitivities: Some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to some specific types of antlers; it may be elk or else. For instance, if your dog has allergies or digestive problems, introduce them slowly to antlers but of high quality. Monitor your dog for adverse reactions, which may be gastronomical discomfort, skin reactions, or something else.
- Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Chewing Habit: Each dog has a different chewing habit and preference. For an aggressive chewer, you should look for denser antlers that will last longer. In contrast to if your dog has delicate teeth or a moderate chewer, softer, easier-to-chew antlers would be perfect.
Do Vets Recommend Elk Antlers?
Vets recommend elk as the best antlers for dogs. These antlers are a safe and beneficial dog chew option. Look for antler types depending on the type and nature of your dogs and puppies. If your dog is an enthusiastic chewer, it is better to give them elk antlers to ensure their fun chewing and prevent dental issues. It is advisable to avoid giving antler powder as it might pose potential risks in the long run.
Comparison of Elk Antlers with Other Antlers
- Elk antlers are large and moderately dense compared to other antlers. The hard and dense features are easier to chew for dogs and puppies.
- Elk antlers are thick, whereas other antlers may be relatively small and thin.
- All bones will provide the same nutrient value, but elk antlers contain a bit more marrow.
Conclusion
Elk antlers are the best choice among antlers. They offer several advantages to dogs, including a perfect treat, enhancing dental health, and delivering essential nutrients. They may be the right fit for dogs, but all elk antlers can’t be good. Ease your search with Worldwide Antler Chews. We have a wide range of the best antlers for dogs, including Elk antlers, to determine. Hurry to shop and enhance your pet’s chewing pleasure.