The three different varieties of antlers we sell are broken down below, along with some general advice on how to pick the best antler chew for your dog. Please be sure to size the antler appropriately for your pet’s weight and chewing tendencies in addition to selecting the proper antler type.
SPLIT ELK ANTLERS – RidgeRunner’s split elk antler chews are a terrific option for pups, older dogs, more cautious or infrequent chewers, and dogs that have never chewed on elk antlers. These elk antlers have been broken in half, making it simpler for the puppies to access the delectable, nutrient-rich marrow inside. With more aggressive chewing dogs, split elk antler chews won’t last as long as full elk antlers, but they’ll still be a terrific treat for your dog. Additionally, we provide our hugely well-liked little and medium-sized quarter split elk antlers. These are excellent for tiny dogs and puppies who require the greatest amount of marrow exposure.
WHOLE ELK ANTLERS – Whole elk antlers from RidgeRunner are the ideal chew for dogs who are more aggressive chewers and require a greater challenge. Your dog will have to work harder to ground the antler chew down because the marrow is not exposed. Compared to deer antlers, elk antlers have a softer outer core, making them simpler to grind down. Elk antlers in their whole form are a nice option for dogs who enjoy chewing but aren’t heavy-duty all-day chewers. Elk antler chews from the base of the antler, which are denser and last longer, or from the upper half of the antler are available upon request (softer and easier to chew). We want to satisfy you, so please let us know how chewy your dog is.
DEER ANTLERS, WHOLE – RidgeRunner’s deer antlers are the ideal chew for really powerful chewers who are experts at demolishing anything they get their hands on. The outer core of deer antlers is denser, which makes these chews considerably more difficult. Antlers for RidgeRunner deer are naturally shed from wild Colorado mule deer. Mule deer antlers are preferred because they are less damaging to your dog’s teeth than the more typical whitetail deer antlers. Additionally, farm-raised deer rather than wild, free-ranging animals are the source of the vast majority of whitetail deer antler. Once more, we can offer you a piece from the antler’s base, which will be very hard and dense, or a piece from the upper antler, which will be a little softer.
Do veterinarians suggest antlers for dogs?
Not every dog will react negatively to antlers. No matter how much your dog likes them, antlers are not guaranteed to be safe even though some owners give them to their dogs for years without any issues.
While the majority of veterinarians advise against giving antlers to dogs, if you do decide to do so, it is a good idea to watch your dog while he chews on the antler (or any chew toy).
Elk or deer antlers are great for dogs.
all ok! You are aware that I am the proprietor of Mountain Dog Chews, a specialty retailer of Grade A+ elk antler chews. Today, I participated in numerous blogs where people questioned the distinctions between the various antler chews and treats available. Despite the fact that we are new to the scene, I have spent my entire life around dogs and antlers due to my love of the great outdoors, so I’d like to weigh in and offer some guidance (Antlers For Dogs 101?)!
(AMENDMENT) 3/12/16- Elk antler material still offers the most ideal, accommodating type density, therefore as a whole, I still prefer it over any over any cervid species (whitetail deer, caribou, etc.). Elk Antler creates chews that are not only more dependable but also safer. Whitetail deer antlers, in contrast, lack a significant amount of the advantageous core marrow and are extremely hard throughout (imagine jawbreaker hard). In contrast to Whitetail Deer antlers, which are fairly solid and VERY hard, we do offer Moose and Mule Deer antler chews, which we have just discovered offer a balance of softer marrow and a beautiful chew-able outer wall. Because whitetail deer presents a greater risk when chewed, we do not recommend that kind of antler chewing. Mule deer and elk are nearly equally as soft as the moose antler chews, which often appear to be the softest antler we carry. When all is said and done, it turns out that antlers are less likely to splinter than cooked meat bones, and elk, mule deer, and moose antler chews can be almost worry-free long-lasting chews resistant from splintering concerns (if processed correctly and sized appropriately). However, Whitetail Deer antlers may easily snap or crack when at the mercy of a voracious chewer. To me, personally, it’s an apples to orange
If you’ll indulge me, I’ll mention one more issue (or rather, a few aspects related to it) to bear in mind while thinking about ANY antler chew from ANY brand/store… Make sure you know what you’re buying first (before I witnessed shenanigans myself, I had assumed the following would be a GIVEN in doing business; unfortunately it’s not, and it’s a significant issue)! That is, there is a lot of false information spread across this market; it is actually bold. By analogy, if one sold sacks of “dog food,” as it is generally referred to, I might end up buying anything from horse flesh to premium, hand-made organic kibble that equals what I eat for supper! People who just put low-grade, chalk-white antlers in a bag or box and label them “antlers for dogs” are, in my opinion, doing a tremendous disservice to the pet business. specifically because to
I safety concerns with using Grade B/C/D shed antlers, which are worn white, frequently fractured, and devoid of the same nutritional benefits as fresh, brown Grade A+/A chews. In the worst instance, these chews could endanger our puppies. There will be more on this in point (ii), but the main point is to reject trash. I once met a man who claimed to sell “antlers,” explaining that since “antlers are antlers, what you get is what you get.” There was no consideration given to the difference between deer and elk, nor was the quality of the antlers given any thought. In general, we should all have higher expectations.
(ii) a broad ignorance of the shed antler market’s commodities aspects (from which antler chews are derived). In a nutshell, every type of antler has a market, and each market has its own (but time-tested) “rating” system that is fairly subjective. Generally speaking, chews manufactured from deer sheds are far less expensive (to the maker, notice) than chews made from elk antlers. Moreover, the cost decreases dramatically with lesser grades in terms of grading (again, to the manufacturer, note). As an illustration, take the grading system employed in relation to elk sheds:
Grade A: The top 10% of antlers each year are used to make these chews, which are made from fresh, brown antler shedding. In essence, these chews will only contain high-quality shedding from the current year. Furthermore, they are among the best of the best and should serve as the minimal standard for your expectations when buying antler chews, barring our Grade A+ categorization mentioned above. There are now just TWO other suppliers in America that will give you genuine Grade A antler chews, as far as I can tell. Therefore, demand that your supplier or reseller give a representation as to grade quality (if not our A+, then at least A) if you want antler chews that genuinely come from current-year sheds and that contain the beneficial minerals promised. fictitious financial data: The brand’s raw acquisition cost is about $15 per pound. 2.5 pieces on average are produced every pound. The average retail cost per chew is about $12. Gross margin on average is $15 per pound.
Grade B: The majority of the so-called “high end” antler chew brands that you can acquire online, etc. currently come in Grade B. And that, my friends, is not really saying much (despite the fact that we still have to talk about two lower tiers!). With one exception, Grade B reflects the “best” antler chews on display if you have been to a significant U.S. pet industry trade fair in the previous twelve months. In our shed hunting community, grade B is referred to as “hard white” frequently. These antlers are typically one or two years old, and portions of them have probably been chewed on by rodents (ground squirrels, marmots, etc.) to some extent. They are also likely to be severely dried out and bleached white from weather exposure. These are not referred to as “hard whites” without good reason… Unfortunately, because of false information and effective marketing, the biggest, most established wholesalers in the pet sector sell thousands of pounds every day. What about your dog? Probably. Ought WE to care? Undoubtedly. fictitious financial data: The brand’s raw acquisition cost is about $10 per pound. 3.5 pieces on average are produced every pound. $10 is the typical retail cost per chew. Gross margin on average is $25 per pound.
Grades C and D: We’ll combine these two groups because, even under the best-case scenario, these are (quote me! JUNK. Instead of choosing these inferior antler chews, please give your dog a pig ear or a bully stick. Don’t squander your money on Grade A+ or A brown antler chews for your dog’s safety and health if there are cheaper options accessible. To my personal disappointment (as a true sportsman), these sub-prime Grades of chews are easily recognizable and can unfortunately be found under a few well-known brands TODAY on the shelves of one of the largest big-box pet retailers as well as on the shelves of one of America’s largest retailers of fly-fishing tackle, outdoor clothing, and other quality gear. These sub-prime Grades of antler chews are made of antlers that have, in the best case scenario, been exposed to several seasons of sun, wind, and rodents, and/or (more typically) many years of sun-baking, to the point where one may actually scratch off white powder from surfaces. In any case, the antlers have lost enough moisture that, if you look closely, you will notice cracking within the crystalline structure of the antler. I can’t think that any self-respecting dog owner would willingly give their dog this type of chew or support in any way the people promoting the adoption of those companies because these sub-prime Grades would readily crumble and split. Once more, anticipate more—much more! fictitious financial data: The brand’s raw acquisition cost is approximately $5/pound. 4.5 pieces on average are produced every pound. $8 is the typical retail price per chew. Gross margin on average is about $31/pound. Oh my goodness!
That’s it for our $0.02, then! Given the foregoing, it is ESSENTIAL that individuals (whether at the consumer level or the big-box store level) insist on knowing what they are getting AND making sure they are getting what they have paid for in terms of value and quality/product integrity and safety (…and without regard solely to profitsas anything worth doing is worth doing only with excellence).
In 2020, are antlers safe for dogs?
Here’s why using antlers on dogs is not advisable: Antlers are dangerous for dogs for three reasons, regardless of how they are cut or what species they come from:
- Broken teeth can be painfully caused by antlers.
- Smaller antler fragments might be a choking risk.
- Chewing on antler chews can result in obstructions that may need to be surgically removed.
Which antlers are the most pliable for dogs?
Your pet’s natural behavior is to chew, which is a crucial exercise for the health of your dog. Dogs chew to relieve stress, annoyance, and anxiety in canines.
The pet industry has continued to create dog chews since chewing is thought to be an essential aspect of a dog’s life. These come in a wide range of materials on the market, including rubber, plastic, and all-natural chews. Antler chews for dogs are among the most dependable and secure varieties of chews.
“For pet parents, choking dangers, splinters, broken teeth, and digestive issues are top concerns. The two antlers that are most frequently suggested to help with these issues are elk and deer antlers.”
Different Kinds of Antlers for Dogs
Dogs often have one of three common forms of antlers from antler-bearing mammals. These dog chews made from antlers provide a variety of chewing experiences. Some of these antler dog chews are not thought to be the best choice for your pet.
Moose Antlers for Dogs
The most marrow is found in moose antlers, which are also the softest dog antler varieties. Many canines enjoy the taste of moose antlers, although they are short-lived and soon disintegrate. This poses a risk of choking for dogs as well.
Deer Antlers for Dogs
Dog chews made of deer antlers are made of a strong, hard antler. There are two popular types of deer antler chews:
- One of the toughest and densest antlers are those of the whitetail deer. If your pet chews aggressively, they are excellent.
- More so than Whitetails, mule deer antlers are softer. Compared to whitetail deer antlers, these are darker in color.
Elk Antlers for Dogs
Elk antlers can weigh more than 10 pounds and are larger than any deer antler. For older dogs or puppies with fragile teeth, elk antlers make excellent safe chews.
The Gnawtlers from a reputable firm like Pet Parents are one of the antler chews on the market that are most frequently suggested. Gnawtlers are premium antler chews made from elk and deer. But what distinguishes these chews from the others? Find out by reading on!
What Makes Gnawtlers Different From the Rest?
Gnawtlers are Grade A quality raw antlers from the Rocky Mountain and Heartland regions of the United States that are deliberately chosen from deer and elk antlers. Why is this important? Even though elk and deer antlers are the best, there are still some low-quality antlers available. The best antlers for dogs can be found at Pet Parents, where color, density, shape, and weight are all carefully taken into account.
You may be certain that the deer and elk antler chews from Pet Parents are of the highest caliber.
- come from elk and deer antlers that have naturally shed their antlers, giving you the assurance that no animals were injured in the making of these chews for your dog.
- Keep your pet safe from choking hazards, broken teeth, and digestive issues by not breaking or splintering readily.
- excellent nutritional content and are brimming with minerals that will support your dog’s oral health, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus.
- long-lasting so that your pet can enjoy them for a very long time
- There are several sizes available, including tiny, medium, and large antlers for dogs in split elk and whole deer as well as extra-large antlers for dogs in whole elk.
- These antlers are more desirable because the natural bone marrow makes them less enticing to dogs than antlers that do contain dangerous additives like artificial flavoring and smell.
- Your dog can chew on these chews all day without worrying about soiling or staining your furniture or floor because they don’t contain color dyes and have no odor.
- Ensure the oral health of your dog by brushing their teeth regularly and guarding against periodontal disease.
Whole deer antler chews, whole elk antler chews, and split elk antler chews are all varieties of gnawlers.
