Luckily for canines, nowadays there are many natural chew options to keep them busy, out of trouble, and healthy. One of the longest-lasting and most unique of all options are water buffalo horns. So here is your complete guide to water buffalo horns for dogs that includes everything you’ll need to know about them.
Where Do Buffalo Horn Chews Come From?
Unless you’re familiar with water buffalos, it’s fairly common to be a bit confused where these horn chews actually come from. They are not the horns of the American bison (which are often called “buffalos” in the United States) and not the horns of the African Buffalo (also known as the Cape buffalo).
The horns used for dog chews are the horns of the domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) which is a descendant of the wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee). While the wild water buffalo is considered an endangered species, the domestic water buffalo is not. There are millions of domestic water buffalo being raised on farms around the world.
These large creatures have been bred for around 5000 years by humans for labor such as tilling rice fields, but also and also to provide milk (which is made into a wide range of dairy products), meat, and leather.
Unlike the antlers of a deer that are shed seasonally, water buffalos (similar to cows and bison) have horns that stay on the animal for its entire life. However, they are not slaughtered to make water buffalo horn dog chews. The horns used for chews are instead a by-product of the water buffalo meat and leather industry.
By repurposing the horns as chews, it helps to ensure that as much of the animal is utilized as possible instead of going to waste. In addition to their horns water buffalo ears, trachea, tails, and cheeks are also sometimes used as chews, treats, and snacks for pets.
Typically buffalo horn chews for dogs are sourced from India but also sometimes from South American countries such as Brazil. They are then usually sorted, cut to size, and packaged in the USA.
Water Buffalo Horn Basics
Water buffalo horns are made up of two parts. The inner portion is known as the core and is made up of bone that is attached to the skull of the buffalo. The outer portion is made from keratin, a fibrous protein that is the same structural material that makes up hooves, hair, and nails, and functions as a hard protective covering.
It is this curved outer sheath that buffalo horn chews are made from. They do not include the core which is why they are partially or totally hollow. Interestingly cores are also sometimes made into chews as well. However, buffalo horn cores for dogs are smaller, don’t last nearly as long, and have a much softer honeycomb-like consistency.
Top Buffalo Horn Benefits
-All-Natural: Water buffalo horns are a single-ingredient chew. They are therefore all-natural and unlike manmade chews, they do not contain any chemicals, dyes, preservatives, or additives of any kind.
-Healthy: Because they are made up of keratin, horns are very high in protein but at the same time extremely low in fat which allows pets to enjoy chewing and consuming the horn while staying lean and healthy.
-Long-Lasting: One of the biggest advantages of water buffalo horns for dogs is simply how long they last. Exactly how long a chew will last will depend on several factors including the size and thickness of the horn along with the type of chewer a dog is. In general, however, horns can be expected to last for several months for heavy chewers and with less intense chewers or older pets, even longer.
-Minimal Mess: Unlike rawhide chews and other options, horns won’t stain carpeting or furniture and there is little to no mess left behind after chewing sessions.
-Maintain Dental Health: The natural texture of horns and their long-lasting nature make them an excellent tool for keeping your pet’s teeth and gums clean which is vital to their overall health.
Are Water Buffalo Horns For Dogs Safe?
Many dog owners, especially those who have never given their pet natural chews before, wonder if buffalo horns are a safe option. And this answer is yes, horns are considered safe for canines. The horns are hard, yet they soften up when chewed on and eventually start to become slightly gummy.
If you’re wondering if water buffalo horns for dogs splinter, the answer is yes they can. Just like raw meaty bones or other hard chews horns can splinter. However, horns are softer than bone and are typically thick so splintering is rare.
What Type Of Chewers Are They Best For?
Not all types of chews are suitable for every dog. However, because horns are hard but not too hard, they are ideal for a wide range of chewers from teething puppies to senior pets. Horns are especially well-suited for power chewers.
Can Dogs Eat Water Buffalo Horns?
Horns are considered safe for dogs to ingest small pieces or shavings during chewing. And like mentioned above because horns are made from keratin they are an excellent source of protein.
Many vets recommend water buffalo horn chews for dogs especially ones that have had problems in the past ingesting manmade chews or that have food sensitivities. Although while you should never give your pet a piece of horn that is small enough to be swallowed whole yet large enough to cause a blockage.
Do Water Buffalo Horns For Dogs Smell?
Will giving your dog a horn stink up your house or make smell like you’ve got a water buffalo living in it? No. However, like other chews made from animal parts they can have a slight smell, which may be one of the reasons dogs are so attracted to them. Every horn is different, so while some may have a mild natural scent others may not be noticeable to the human nose whatsoever. It depends on the horn.
Purchasing Horn Chews
When purchasing horns, a good rule of thumb is the thicker the better. Thicker horns not only last longer but are also stronger which helps prevent possible splintering. When buying online always be sure to read the reviews. You’ll also want to choose the appropriate size horn for your dog.
Most sellers will provide recommendations as to what size horn should be given to what size dog. If are debating between two sizes always go bigger, as the most important thing is to make sure that the horn is larger than your dog’s mouth (so that it can’t be swallowed). And of course the bigger it is the longer it will last!
How To Give Your Dog A Water Buffalo Horn
Just like with any type of chew, when giving your dog a horn you will need to supervise your pet’s chewing session. That way, if any pieces do happen to break off or if there is any splintering you can remove the pieces and get rid of the horn.
Eventually, when your pet has chewed the horn down to a size where it can potentially be swallowed you will want to throw it away and give it a new one. While most canines will naturally start to chew on a horn right away some are a bit more hesitant to try new chew materials. Or they simply may be picky.
An easy trick for getting pets interested instantly is to smear some peanut butter on the horn. Because horns are hollow another trick is to place the peanut butter inside the horn. Water buffalo horns for dogs that are filled with peanut butter and then frozen will make an extra special and yummy treat for your pets that last even longer!
Start Shopping for Water Buffalo Horns!
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