The Healthy Pet Blog

Antlers: The Ultimate Superchew! January 29 2021, 0 Comments

By now we've all heard of the term Superfood, referencing nutrient dense foods that have extreme health benefits. For people, it is believed that consuming these foods will help boost immunity, aid in disease prevention, and prolong life. With super foods being the latest trend in the health industry, it's only natural that we...

Best Ways To Keep Your Dog Lean & Healthy! May 14 2020, 0 Comments

We all want our dogs to live a long happy, healthy life. Perhaps the easiest way to keep our best friends around for a long time is keeping them fit and lean. Just like with people, dogs that are overweight can face a variety of health issues that can lead to a shortened life-span. Side effects of obesity in dogs include arthritis, diabetes, organ damage/failure, tumors, and even chronic skin conditions. Keep reading to learn the best ways to keep your dog healthy and lean!

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Busy When You’re Stuck at Home! April 24 2020, 0 Comments

Have you been hit with the challenge of keeping your high energy dog happy and entertained while you are all stuck at home together? Keep reading for some tips and ideas to keep your dog busy from home...

Getting Back to Nature August 22 2015, 0 Comments

Here at Silver Gate Antlers we launched our summer season by attending a variety of local fairs and farmer's markets. This gave us the opportunity to interact with our customers on a more personal level, as well as find out what some of the most frequently asked questions are when it comes to antler dog chews. Without a doubt the most commonly asked question we've heard from our customers is, "Do dogs really chew on these??".

Nowadays, walking into your local pet store or pet section at the supermarket can be overwhelming. The aisles are lined with a variety of rubber, nylon or plastic chew toys, all of which are brightly colored and have been molded into trendy shapes to attract the consumer. For those of us who want to give our four-legged friends a more healthy chew, we move on to the natural aisles. Here awaits another world of confusion. Rawhide, hooves, ears, snouts, bully sticks….the list goes on and on. Although many of these chews can be great for your dog, in the end it really depends on where they are made and how they are processed. And since most are served out of a bulk container with no packaging or tags, you can never be sure. Many of today's “all natural” chews come out of brazil and are preserved in formaldehyde prior to processing, let's repeat that, Formaldehyde! YUCK!!!

So to answer the aforementioned question, “Do dogs really chew on these?” The simple answer is YES, most dogs with a natural instinct to chew will indeed chew on a Silver Gate Antler. In fact, we make two different varieties to satisfy both the aggressive and the non-aggressive chewer alike.

Silver Gate Antlers Whole Antler Dog Chews
These chews are great for aggressive chewers. They are natural, unsplit pieces of antler cut into various lengths to accomodate all dog sizes.
Silver Gate Antlers Split Antler Dog Chews
These antlers are designed for fussy or less aggressive chewers. The antler has been split in half, therefore making it easier for your dog to get to the tasty marrow inside the bone.

And there you have it folks. Our chews are proudly Made AND Sourced in the USA with virtually no processing (other than cutting and sanding), and dogs love them! Treat your dog to a Silver Gate Antler today!

Silver Gate Antlers for Dental Health January 30 2014, 0 Comments

     With so many choices in your local pet stores now, what is the best option to help maintain your dog's oral health? While nothing replaces a toothbrush, there are many products that claim to aid in dental hygiene. From extra crunchy biscuits, glycerin based chews, bones and water additives, how do you choose?

     The most advertised form of Dental treats for Dogs today are good old-fashioned rawhide chews. People have been feeding rawhide to their dogs for ages, why change now? Well for starters rawhide is composed of the inner layer of the hide of a cow or horse (sounds appetizing already, doesn't it?). It is primarily a by-product of the leather industry, and by the time this by-product reaches a plant that processes it for the pet industry it is usually starting to rot. What do they do then? Bring on the chemicals! After cleaning and processing many brands of rawhide, in the end, contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals. If this doesn’t deter you from feeding your dog rawhide, don’t forget that it is poorly digested and can lead to stomach irritation and possibly even intestinal blockage which can require surgery. An awful price to pay for your pets pearly whites!

      So, now that you're informed on the dangers of rawhide treats and bones...What is the most natural, unprocessed, longest-lasting chew that helps maintain the oral health of your canine companion you ask? Silver Gate Antler Chews of course! Antlers are an annually growing bone extension of the skull in male deer and elk. During the growth process the Antlers are covered in velvet which delivers blood and nutrients to the growing bone. Because the Antlers are collected after they are shed, the deer and elk are not harmed in order to produce this all natural chew treat for your dog.

     At Silver Gate Antlers, we only use fresh "A Grade" Antler, which is collected shortly after it is shed. Dogs are more attracted to chew fresh Antler as opposed to older Antler that is chalky and cracked. Silver Gate Antlers are less likely to splinter like smoked or cooked bones, and are virtually non-staining and odor free. Because your dog is naturally attracted to chew Antler, it will help scrape excess plaque and tartar from his or her teeth. To top it off, Antlers contain healthy nutrients such as Calcium and Phosphorus.

      So, to sum it up, Silver Gate Antlers are 100% USA made and sourced. We offer both Deer and Elk Antler chews, and Elk Antler splits for those finicky dogs. They come in a variety of sizes from small to giant so you can choose the size that best accommodates your furry friend. So, what are you waiting for? Visit our website at www.SilverGateAntlers.com and get your pets dental health on the right track today!

A Buyer's Guide to Antler Dog Chews: You Get What You Pay For, Right? Wrong. September 22 2013, 0 Comments

Are you tired of purchasing expensive Antler Dog Chews from the big chain retailers who are selling white, chalky, cracked antlers? Believe it or not, not all antler dog chews are made the same. Over the last year many crafters have jumped on the antler dog chew bandwagon, selling their leftover "scrap" antler as dog chews. Usually this is the antler that is no good to them for crafting, and no good as dog chews if you ask us! These pieces are often old, weathered white pieces that are cracked throughout. Chalky, cracked antler is also more likely to splinter, causing your dog harm. These "knockoff" chews are becoming the norm in places such as Petsmart, Petco, Target, Walmart, etc.

If you've tried giving your dog one of these antlers and they've turned up their nose at it you may be in for a surprise. Here at Silver Gate Antlers we use only fresh, grade A antler that your dog is bound to love! It's like going from a select grade steak to a prime grade steak. Why should your dog settle for the "scraps" when you could be giving him/her the best! Fresh antler has the most aroma and is the most attractive to dogs, as well as having a nice brown or cream color to it. This type of antler has the highest moisture content and is usually a little softer than an older, dried out antler. While it is true that the older antlers may last a bit longer, if your dog has no desire to chew on it then what good is it, after all, that is why you purchased it right?.. to give them something to chew on!

At Silver Gate Antlers we offer an extensive line of Deer and Elk Antler Chews in a variety of sizes, suitable for all breeds of dogs. The next time you're shopping for a quality all natural chew for your dog check out our selection and buy with confidence, your dog with thank you! 


The Allergic Dog - Hypoallergenic Antler Dog Chews to the Rescue! June 11 2013, 0 Comments

“My vet said to stop feeding chicken…”

How often do we hear this in the pet industry?

For dogs with allergies, specifically itchy skin and hot spots, this is usually the first course of action. But does anyone ever take the time to explain to pet parents why chicken should be removed from their dog’s diet, and what other proteins should also be avoided?

In Chinese medicine Chicken is referred to as a “hot” or “warming protein.” It causes the body temperature to rise and therefore brings on an intense allergic reaction or inflames an already existing one, most commonly, severe skin irritation. However, the protein is not always the root of the reaction. Usually, the initial allergy is to another common food ingredient culprit…grain. Wheat, corn, sorghum and soy are all cheap fillers found in a lot of commonly known foods. The digestive tract of a dog was not designed to process these grains, and therefore, the body tries to detoxify itself by developing a layer of yeast on the skin and in the ear canal. The yeast infection can cause itching and flaking. Pair this with your hot protein, chicken, and your canine companion is now one flaking, scratching, chewing mess.

So what next? Most consumers are under the assumption that the next step is Lamb. But beware; Lamb is a hotter protein than chicken. Cooling and Neutral proteins should be fed to dogs that tend to be more prone to allergies.  Cooling proteins include Duck, Rabbit and Whitefish and Neutral proteins include Beef and Salmon.

How do you know if a dog’s body temperature tends to run warm or cool?

Warm dogs are commonly nervous, the body is hot to the touch, they usually have excessive thirst, they pant excessively even when at rest, and they will seek out cold places to lie. These dogs should be fed cool or neutral proteins.

Cool dogs suffer from fatigue, exercise intolerance; low appetite and they are slow moving. Cool dogs will often suffer from joint pain and stiffness during the cooler winter months. These dogs should be fed warm or neutral proteins.

Treats should also be considered when dietary alterations are made. Dogs that run warm should not be fed treats with hot proteins or grain fillers. Natural beef and duck jerky are great alternatives to biscuits. Dogs can also be kept busy with natural chews such as Elk and Deer Antler Dog Chews from the Silver Gate Antler Company without fear of an allergic reaction!