Antler sheds for dogs

[FuzzHawk]

Question:

My german Shepard enjoys chewing antler and I know they are a good option for larger dogs.

Does anyone know the “shelf life” a an antler shed found in the wild or one left behind by a hunter?

During my trip out today, I came across a single moose antler with dried blood on it. Im guessing it has not been there longer than a month. If this was cleaned up and boiled, would there be any issues in cutting it up into smaller pieces and giving them to my dog as a chew?

 

[45ACPKING]

don't even need to boil it.
My dog is a 9month old rottwieller. At 5 months I gave her some 2pt elk antlers about 1 3/4" diameter that I had been saving for couple years for maybe making a knife or bush sword handle.
She ate them down to the crowns no problem.
Dogs are built to eat these things but certain bones should be avoided.
I don't give my dog rib bones , spine or the lowest leg bones for various reasons from splintering, choking, braking teeth(lower leg bones)

otherwise, no issues.
Mine is busy chompin on a freshly boned out leg bone, the middle one between scapula and lower leg bone.

 

[DVXDUDE]

Dont boil the bone. It will cause it to splinter when the dog chews on it.

My lab loves the deer antlers I give him. He will chew them right down to nothing.

 

[brybenn]

My mastif chews moose legs and deer antlers to nothing. She has powerful jaws and enjoys making a racket. As long as theyre still hard theyre go to go

 

[mbogo3]

Hope your dogs aren't house dogs or they may eat your mounts!

 

[verminaard]

As mentioned, don’t boil it. Like a bone, an antler will be more prone to splintering if it is cooked.

 

[jackleg]

They will keep for years, just cut it up as is and store in the house, if you leave them outside the rodents get to them. I have heard of keeping them in the freezer but I never have and they seem fine.

 

[asphalt599]

Our dog loves deer antler as well.

 

[Royzo]

My dog found a deer shed and left it on the yard. Cost me a tire !!!!

 

[verminaard]

They will keep for years, just cut it up as is and store in the house, if you leave them outside the rodents get to them. I have heard of keeping them in the freezer but I never have and they seem fine.

I keep mine in the freezer now if I have a bunch that I know will take her a while to get through. Vacuum sealed with a moisture pack.
My house is fairly dry, so they hardened up too much if she wasn’t going through them fast enough. Vet dental work is expensive.

The vacuum bags and moisture packs have been the key. The freezer is only used because my dog really likes frozen things, and they are not taking up space elsewhere.

 

[FuzzHawk]

The only issue with the moose shed I found is that it smells like piss. Tried the pressure washer but it didnt help. Any suggestions?