How Do You Prepare Deer Antlers for Dogs?

Nothing beats deer antlers to keep dogs entertained and provide them with excellent nutritional value and health benefits. They're super durable and long-lasting too!

Besides, watching your dog gnaw on a big, juicy deer antler is always a fun sight. You can rest well knowing that the yummy treat will suppress your furry friend's urge to chew on your shoes or furniture or bite your hand and compromise their oral health.

But what if your pup doesn't seem amused by deer antlers?
Now, that's a problem you never thought was coming.
It's true that some dogs don't seem to enjoy gnawing on deer antlers as much as others. This may be because they find them too hard or don't like the taste or smell.

There are ways to prepare deer antlers for dogs so your pup will be more excited about chewing on them.

Sterilizing is the first step in preparing deer antlers for dogs. If you've found them fresh, you'd want to ensure no dirt or bacteria on the bones.
Some suggest soaking the antlers in alcohol, but you must ensure it's the right solution. To save yourself the trouble, you may reach out to professionals who can do the job for you.

Alternatively, you can use over-the-counter bleach water to sterilize deer antlers. Leave them upside down in the container for one or two hours to let them absorb the solution. This will remove any debris that may be on the antlers. The solution turning cloudy will be proof.

Once you've taken the antlers out of the container, rub them with a clean cloth. You can also scrub them with a twig or metal rod piece to ensure they are perfectly clean.

Lastly, soak the deer antlers in clean water for half an hour to eliminate any bacteria left behind. Once out, use a towel to prevent water from getting soaked into the antlers. Then, leave them to air-dry before offering them to your dog.
If your dog doesn't seem to like deer antlers, consider coating them in dog-safe peanut butter or some other food spread. You could also soak them in a chicken or beef broth before giving them to your pup. This will make the antlers more palatable, providing your dog with a tasty treat!

Follow the steps below to soften deer antlers for dogs.

Step 1: Get your hands on a clean pan big enough to contain the antler. Alternatively, cut the antler into small pieces and put them in a pot.

Step 2: Fill the container with clean water or chicken or beef broth to make the antler clean and tasty at the same time.

Step 3: Soak the antler pieces in the solution. Make sure they are fully submerged.

Step 4: Leave them soaked for a day or two, depending on how soft you want them to be. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you should be looking at 24+ hours. Otherwise, a day would be enough.

Step 5: Remove the antler pieces from the container and let them dry up before serving them to your furry friend.

It's believed that boiling raw deer antlers is important to get rid of dangerous bacteria. However, ensure the antlers are fresh because old and dry ones tend to splinter when boiled.

That said, you don't necessarily have to boil deer antlers for dogs. Putting them in boiling water is enough to remove bacteria and grime. Once taken out, you must immediately immerse them in cold water. This process is called blanching.

Boiling deer antlers involves submerging them in the cooking pot for 30 minutes. However, if you're going with the most recommended practice, i.e., blanching, you should leave the antlers for only a couple of minutes in boiling water. This way, there will be little to no risk of the bone becoming brittle or splintering.
If you keep the antlers boiling for too long, you'll only be inviting a choking hazard for your dog.

Deer antlers are a great way to keep your dog's teeth clean and their gums healthy. They are also a great source of minerals and vitamins that can benefit your dog's overall health.

If you come across fresh antlers, prepare them per the tips above to let your dog enjoy this natural and healthy chew. Make sure you follow all the steps correctly and mind the time when blanching the bones for best results.

We understand that it can get overwhelming to prepare deer antlers for dogs if you're a beginner, considering the many risks associated with wrong choices.

Lucky for you, Pet Expertise has affordable Natural Whole Antlers for dogs of all sizes and breeds. They are 100% safe and natural so you don't need to prepare them before treating your pup. Since they are less likely to splinter, you don't have to worry about your dog swallowing sharp pieces.

What's more?

Our deer antlers will keep your dog entertained for months before you have to replace them. Nevertheless, we advise keeping an eye on your pet when chewing on the antler and taking it away as soon as it gets worn down.

Once you receive our deer antlers, you'll only have to smear them with peanut butter or your dog's favorite spread to make them tastier. You may also soak them in clean water for a few minutes to ensure they are dirt-free, although we always deliver fresh and clean antlers.