When the time comes to give your dog a new treat for a game well played or distract them while you get some work done, think again before offering them a rawhide chew. Rawhide can be dangerous for your dog in the long run. Instead, consider moose antler chews: novel and nutritious alternatives provided by companies like Allagash Antlers in Maine.
Not sure why moose antler chews are so superior to rawhide? Let’s break down the significant differences between the two, plus go over the benefits of moose antler treats.
Rawhide: A dangerous treat for dogs
Although you can find rawhide treats in pet stores around America, an increasing wealth of evidence shows that rawhide is dangerous for your dog, and you should avoid it. While not the worst for small dog breeds or light chewers, vigorous chewers or bigger dogs often have significant issues with rawhide treats.
Why? In a nutshell, rawhide chews are made from dried and sometimes treated animal skins. Unfortunately, many moderate to aggressive chewers break up rawhide into splinters or shards, damaging dogs’ mouths and digestive tracts.
Furthermore, lots of rawhide chews are made from the leftovers of the leather industry. They’re not very digestible, leading to obstruction risks in your dog. Plus, there’s some evidence that rawhide treats are exposed to contaminants such as salmonella. Add to that the potential for tooth damage, and it’s no wonder many pet owners are moving away from rawhide treats for their pups!
But if rawhide treats are so bad for dogs, what else can you give them to gnaw on or as a reward? Turns out, there is a healthy alternative you may have missed: moose antler chews.
Benefits of moose antler chews for canines
Moose antlers are the perfect chew treats for dogs who love to gnaw on bones, sticks, and other hard substances. Today, you can find three types of dog chews made from moose antlers:
- Paddle chews, which are flat and ideal for moderate strength chewers
- Tine chews, which are round and perfect for more aggressive chewers
- Base chews, which are dense and make perfect treats for super-strong chewers who never let up!
Not only are moose antlers mentally stimulating and enriching for canine companions, but they also provide health benefits that rawhide treats can’t match.
Moose antler chews are renewable resources
For starters, moose antler chews are renewable resources. Like other cervids, moose shed their antlers every fall and grow new ones in the winter. Those discarded antlers serve no other primary purpose, but our canine companions can chew on them!
Healthy vitamins and minerals
More importantly, moose antlers come chock-full of healthy vitamins and minerals, including but not limited to vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. All of those nutrients are great for your dog, particularly if they’re a picky eater and you have trouble getting them to eat a well-rounded diet.
Safer to chew and gnaw
On top of that, moose antler chews are much safer for your dog to bite consistently. That’s because moose antlers are tougher than rawhide. They don’t splinter, either, meaning there’s less of a mess for you to clean up after the fact. If that wasn’t enough, moose antler chews don’t have a stinky odor — say goodbye to your living room smelling like rawhide.
Dental boost
Your dog’s teeth are essential for their health and enjoyment. Moose antlers can help you take care of them by removing tartar and plaque buildup all without having to take a doggie toothbrush to their teeth. If you have a puppy, moose antler chews can also be advantageous – they’ll give your puppy something productive to chew on while they teeth and lose their little chompers.
Long-lasting
Need a treat that lasts as long as your dog’s attention? Look no further than moose antler chews, which are supremely durable and long-lasting. After all, they have to be since they’re used for almost an entire year when attached to adult moose!
100% natural
Last but not least, moose antler chews are 100% natural. That means you never have to worry about:
- Artificial chemicals or ingredients
- Preservatives
- Other harmful elements
When your dog chews on antler naturally discarded from a moose, all they get is the raw antler material and the nutrients mentioned above. Since it’s essential to protect our pups from harmful chemicals, moose antlers are even better than initially thought.
Make the switch to moose antler chews
As you can see, it’s a good idea to make the switch to moose antler chews ASAP. Not only will your dog take to the new treats quickly, but they’ll thank you when they don’t have digestive problems in the future! Fortunately, you can pick up some tasty moose antler chews AND support a small business by shopping at Allagash Antlers today!