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When youre out hunting in the woods, its always a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for deer antlers. Often found near deer trails and feeding areas, they can be quite a find. And if youre lucky enough to stumble upon them, think beyond using them as hunting trophies.
For instance, what if you gave them to your dog as a chew toy and a nutritional treat?
Dogs love to play with and chew on bones, and deer antlers make great toys for them. However, you must first make them safe and palatable for your canine.
In this article, well answer all the burning questions about what you should and shouldnt do with raw deer antlers before giving them to your dog.
How do you smooth out deer antlers?
As a quick summary, one of the most common ways to soften a deer antler for your dog is to soak the antlers in water for 1 or 2 days, depending on how aggressive your dog chews. The longer that you soak the deer antler, the softer it will get.
A dense and fine piece can be cut and roughly shaped before forming. If it is mor thin walled it would be better to leave any shaping till afterwards. The antler is put in water to soak for 12-24 hours and then put in a put of boiling water for an hour or so. After this you can press it to desired shape.
Cutting Deer Antlers and Preparing Them as Dog Chew Toys
You can come by a deer’s antlers as a by-product of a deer hunt, or from finding a set that’s been shed. Dead deer that still have a profile pair also act as a good source of fresh antlers, just don’t let the dog in on the fact.
Depending on how you see it, cutting a deer’s antlers from its head can be another chore or an adventure in itself.
Since we are going to be feeding the antlers to the dog, there’s no point in taking too much care not to scratch them. Correct cutting angles are also for antlers that you’re looking to prepare for mounting, so two or three adjoining cuts will do.
How do you prepare deer antlers for dogs?
Deer antlers make great chews for dogs because they are durable and help keep teeth clean. However, it is essential to sterilize them before giving them to your dog, especially if you find them outdoors. This article is on how to sterilize deer antlers for dog chews. This will provide you with detailed information on how to go about the process.
Dog chews are not only great for your dog’s health but also great for your health. There are numerous advantages of giving your dog chews which you can read in this article.
However, since these chews come with unique smells and tastes that most pet parents find repulsive, it is essential to sterilize them before giving them to your dog.