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 for Dental Health January 30 2014, 0 Comments

      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!

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!