Antlers as chews for puppy?

Was wondering what everyone’s opinion of antlers as chews for puppy. There’s some very mixed reviews online some people saying they’re dangerous and puncturing their gums some saying they’re a great natural chew that’s safer than bones and rawhide. I have friends that find them great for their dogs but they’re a way smaller breed that doesn’t chew threw things as fast as my little shredder

Personally, I’d avoid antlers like the plague. Too many stories of broken teeth and worn enamel.
You can have a look through this very recent thread, buffalo horns are similar to antlers.
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t68042-buffalo-horns

I’d look to whimzees, smart bones, yakkers which IMHO are much safer and pretty much as natural too (compared to denta stix, for example)
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t62099-whimzee-dog-dental-chews

Totally agree!

How old is the puppy if theyre under six months  id give them whimzees greenies or puppy kong  you can put different fillings in the kong which can be frozen as well

She’s only 9 weeks old, going onto 10 now in 2 days I have a Kong for her but only interested for shirt while in it have a few different puppy chews but most puppy toys aren’t durable enough for her strong little jaw

Try wetting a white t towel, tie a couple of knots in it & freeze it. She can chew it safely & the cold will help ease those teething gums!

You could also freeze a couple of carrots & let her chew them.

There is a reason bones are left after a kill. Carnivores eat meat not bones. Dogs inherently have a want to knaw bones to extract the marrow and remaining meat not to the eat the bone. This can only really happen with fresh meaty bones...dried out antlers or any other type of pet store bone is NOT safe or natural really. It splinters and only really serves to harm their gums and teeth...they may taste good but thats about it. Fresh bone and dry bone behaves entirely different. If you want to give your dog a bone, get a fresh one from the butcher and adjust what kibble/canned food you give to them that day..or they may overeat.

Sorry, Hayley, but carnivores DO eat bones - just not the larger, weight bearing ones.

Yeah we’re trying out different frozen vegetables atm, she’s not interested at all in carrots very picky pup

Yeah we’re trying out different frozen vegetables atm, she’s not interested at all in carrots very picky pup

Mine wouldn’t eat frozen veg either but a bit of raw carrot or apple is completely something else !

Carrots, apples, coconut & melons are Katy's favourites
As for bones she loves a marrow bone & spends ages getting the marrow out but if I give her a knuckle bone she will eat the whole thing so she doesn't get them any more!

Coconut ? Not tried that yet. Fresh I presume ?
Mine love melon too

Yes a fresh one Nifty, she carries it around for a while then takes it to her Dad to open it as she can't I only give her half at a time as it tends to make them rather firm the other end

gillybrent wrote:Sorry, Hayley, but carnivores DO eat bones - just not the larger, weight bearing ones.

Well i doubt anyone is giving their dog a wishbone expecting them to chew on it the assumption is they wont eat a large bone.

lexii wrote:

gillybrent wrote:Sorry, Hayley, but carnivores DO eat bones - just not the larger, weight bearing ones.

Well i doubt anyone is giving their dog a wishbone expecting them to chew on it the assumption is they wont eat a large bone.

But you actually stated that carnivores eat meat, but not bones. They do eat bones!

If your dog is so young id cut the carrot in half and you dnt necessarily have to freeze it your pup maybe doesn't like veg cold just enough so they can hold the carrot and chew id recommend leaving bones till after 6 months raw uncooked bones and medium sized.

Jenc wrote:Yes a fresh one Nifty, she carries it around for a while then takes it to her Dad to open it as she can't I only give her half at a time as it tends to make them rather firm the other end

Do you have any tips on choosing the fresh coconut ?
Thanks !

Just make sure the coconut is solid all over if you knock on it with your fist just leave the hair on as well.

Ok, thanks !

Oh yes Misty loves a coconut too!

No no no to antlers for a puppy they are pretty harsh stick to all suggestions above

gillybrent wrote:

lexii wrote:

gillybrent wrote:Sorry, Hayley, but carnivores DO eat bones - just not the larger, weight bearing ones.

Well i doubt anyone is giving their dog a wishbone expecting them to chew on it the assumption is they wont eat a large bone.

But you actually stated that carnivores eat meat, but not bones. They do eat bones!

Well then let me reword it. Carnivores may eat insignificant bones, but not large structural bones they are not capable of swallowing or crushing down to a swallowable size

So I bought a coconut yesterday, the only one which had water inside on shaking.

How do you open ??
I guess I have to make a hole somehow to get water out first. Then cut or smash ?

Processed coconut much easier but fresh has gotta be a million times better

You can use a saw on it?

Crack it hard on the seam with a hammer, over a bowl to catch the milk. Then use the hammer to break lumps off, they can get it off the shell themselves But like I said, not too much in one go as their poo becomes extremely firm with coconut shreddings!

Ok, thanks.
But really leave the shell on ?? I bet mine will eat it too
The rest can keep in the fridge how long ?