Deer antlers

Basenji Feeding

  • We have been buying them for a year or so and Kaiah loves them. But in the beginning the store owner was telling us about them and how wonderful they were and that she didnt know a dog that could chew through them. So we bought one and she ate the antler so small in 45 minutes that we had to throw it away. Next time we were in the store we told the store owner about it and come to find out the antler that we bought was split so now we are just careful to buy the whole antler and she has 3 or 4 that she works on but it is a slow process.


  • Oakley love deer antlers, moose antlers, and elk antlers!! This only but the split ones that have the marrow exposed, dogs seem to go wild over that part and they last forever! They also provide a good source of vitamins and minerals not usually present in a regular diet. I've been buying those over bully sticks and te reactions the same, he can't get enough. Certainly worth the money and more


  • Butu loves his too, and has managed to get about 1/4" of marrow out…


  • After I found out what a Bully Stick was I could not buy another.


  • I think it may depend on what type of deer, elk, moose, etc the antler came from. I bought two, I can't remember what they are, and they are hard as rocks. Mine have not penetrated them yet. The ends are just ground down a bit. It may also depend on what time of year they are harvested.


  • From what I know, if the antlers are naturally shed in the late fall/early winter they will be hard because they no longer had a blood supply and were dry and dead when lost, but if cut off while they still had a blood supply the antlers will be softer.


  • @tanza:

    What kind and from who did you get them? I have quite a few of them and they have never been able to do that

    One deer and one elk both were split pieces from Petsmart.


  • I don't get the split ones…. so maybe that is why I have not had a problem


  • This is so good to know! I've never offered antlers, but I'm going to give them a try. After pig's ears and snouts, the gross factor kinda recedes. Where's the best place to buy ones that don't/aren't split– online?



  • Great– thank you! That's where I get bully sticks. Do you think the large size would be good for a puppy?


  • My babies chew on the large size…. :-) but you could get 1 or 2 of the medium ones to start while he/she still has puppy "razors"...... I like the other place too, as my adults like the Junior Jack Chaws too and have not been able to break them apart.


  • They are great I bought my girl one and she loves it !! , cost me about $14 for a smallish one and I was told they are edible as well
    Same goes with a "rawhide" I got her a Bosleys ,it's made %100 out of potato so it's also totally edible :)
    It's lasted her a good week and a half maybe two since she's got a quarter of it left ;)
    But I love love the deer and or elk antlers whole or split lol she decided which one

  • First Basenji's

    @Elscodobermann:

    Well Tilly certainly likes Deer atlers too - last time we took her a walk in the woods directly behind our house she disappeared into some bush, and appeared with some antlers in her mouth - unfortunately they were still attached to a well-rotted head…. so she didnt get to keep them...

    Haaahaaa! just gotta love the canine heart!/stomach!!! better she trotted off with them rather than just rolled in it and have you wonder why she smelled so bad while she was up on your couch/bed….!:)

Suggested Topics

  • Xylitol = Birch Sugar?

    Basenji Feeding
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    569 Views
    D
    Not sure how Xylitol is being marketed. It is an alcohol found in a lot of plants, including birch wood, which is the source of Xylitol used in medicines. And it is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Most of the time you find it in sugarless gum and candy. Here is an FDA warning "Paws Off Xylitol": https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs
  • Making homemade food

    Basenji Feeding
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    3k Views
    C
    Hello, I recommend reading: Early Kidney Disease - Difficulty Getting Her to Eat at https://basenjiforums.com/topic/15616/early-kidney-disease-difficulty-getting-her-to-eat/13 What may guide your path: Kidney values relative to normal. Is there proteinurea? For homemade, read DogAware and accompanying websites. Good luck!
  • Food

    Basenji Feeding
    19
    1 Votes
    19 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    I would find out what he scared of or what he dislikes about the car. Is it the car itself, the sensation of being closed in, the movement when the car is being driven? Then work on whatever the problem is, with food. As for food, I use raw duck and vegetables. And I hand-feed all meals, so I never have a problem with not eating/partially eating. I would also recommend hand-feeding for anyone who does have a dog with food issues. Shredded chicken is good (as long as he doesn't have any reactions). But that and some kibble isn't a balanced meal. You may wish to look into a vitamin supplement, specifically something that has a focus on omega 3 (since chicken is high in omega 6), Vitamin C & the B vitamins (because if all he's eating is chicken and kibble, where is his source of vitamin C and the B vitamins?), zinc & copper (same reasons). All the best. EDIT: I just realized this thread is a year old and was bumped by what is almost certainly a bot.
  • Kibble recommendations?

    Basenji Feeding
    38
    0 Votes
    38 Posts
    5k Views
    M
    I'm trying to keep up with comments directed towards me but I just want to thank everyone for your experiences and recommendations about food and everything else on this thread. I appreciate all of you!
  • 1 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    S
    I had a somewhat similar experience. Joey had a seizure which I correlate to taking Simparica. He looked terrible so took him to the vet when the first seizure happened and he was late Stage 2. Put him on Royal Canin kidney kibble and Hills kidney wet food and 4 years later he has only had 1 more seizure and his kidney values have remained constant. I will believe your homemade version is most likely better if you have the correct proportions. All the best to your Bs! Joey will be 15 in November.
  • Looking to try one of these....

    Basenji Feeding
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    10k Views
    D
    8 mos old is still on Royal Canine medium size puppy as recommended by vet. Very interested in how you change up their food. Glad to hear that because I would like to change him from chicken based to something else as adult. Had always been advised not to keep changing food as it was hard on their system. Breeder advised to use high protein and fat dog food (60% protein, 30% fat). What is your opinion on this? I am starting to add 1/2 tsp coconut oil daily to dog food for winter feeding. Advised it had ingredients similar to mother's milk. What say you about this?