What Exactly are Antler Dog Chews Anyway?

Updated: July 14, 2022

Quick!

It’s Mr. Waxter-Baxter’s birthday and he already has every toy a dog could possibly ever hope to own. The last squeaky toy you gave him was a flop, and he no longer wags when you bring home anything stuffed or bacon-flavored.

What to do…

How about giving Mr. Baxter-Waxter something that will blow his canine mind? Of course, I’m talking about antler dog chews.

"Naturally shed antlers are collected from farms and woods by a variety of antler collectors, who then sell the antlers to dealers."

Have you heard of antler dog chews or seen them in your local pet store but weren’t exactly sure what they were or why your dog would like them so much? To start, they are exactly what they say they are, antlers from an animal in the wild. And no, these animals are not harmed to get their antlers. Every year deer, elk, and moose throughout North America naturally shed their antlers. These naturally shed antlers are collected from farms and woods by a variety of antler collectors, who then sell the antlers to dealers.

The Natural, Safer Chew Toy

For as long as dogs (and wolves and coyotes) have existed, they have naturally chewed on two different things to keep their teeth clean and strong (and from their point of view, because they taste delicious). Those two things are bones and antlers.

Here are some reasons why you should consider giving your fur baby antler dog chews for their next treat:

Safer Chewing

Cooked dog bones and the processed ones you find in pet stores are incredibly hard and much more likely to either chip your dog’s teeth or splinter, causing your dog to potentially choke or swallow bits of bones that may do damage to their GI tract. Antlers are a softer and therefor safer alternative.

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They Last a Long Time

Have you ever bought a bag of bully sticks or rawhide chews (never give your dog rawhide chews as they pose a risk for chocking and blockage) only to see your dog go through the whole bag in a week? Most other chew toys simply don’t last, and you can wind up shelling out a lot of money in a year.

Antler chews last much longer and give your dog hours of joy while saving you money!

Odorless

Unlike other chew toys, antlers have virtually no odor or residue that stain your carpets and furniture. Finally, a toy that doesn’t disgust you or guests.

antler dog chews

Nutritious

You’ll feel good giving your fur baby a treat that not only entertains them but is good for them as well. Natural antlers are packed with beneficial nutrients yet have no artificial ingredients sourced from God-knows-where.

Safety Tips

While antlers are definitely the safest choice for dog chews, it’s still important to supervise your dog while they chew. Here are some other tips to help your dog stay safe while enjoying his or her treat:

  • Always inspect your dog’s antler chew to make sure it’s large enough so that there is no possibility your dog may choke on it. Obviously, bigger breeds will work through a chew faster than smaller breeds, so keep checking for size. Once the chew gets worn down, take it away and replace with a new, bigger chew.
  • Check the chew for any sharp edges that could cut your dog’s lips and tongue. If you find any, you can easily remove sharp edges by rubbing the antler against concrete or sandpaper.
  • Watch your dog as he or she chews. Never give a chew to your dog before leaving your house. They should always be supervised, even with safe chews.
  • Be sure that your dog is gnawing on the antler instead of biting it hard in an attempt to break it in half. Though antlers are softer than bones, they can still damage teeth should your dog be trying to crack it in half.

Why Purchase Antler Chews from Pet Parents®?

Since antler chews have become more popular over the last few years, some poorer quality ones have come onto the market. These chews are often cheaper, and for a reason, they are of lesser quality. Often processed, these chews can be brittle and splinter easily when chewed.

Pet Parents® is proud to offer our customers fresh, grade A antlers sourced right here in the United States. We carefully cut and clean the antlers, so you can feel good about giving them to your fur baby.

If you’ve been wondering what to give your dog for his or her birthday this year, consider blowing their canine mind with our Gnawtlers.

"Pet Parents® is proud to offer our customers fresh, grade A antlers sourced right here in the United States."

The author

MICKA V.

Author Bio

Micka Virtudazo is a full-time content creator at Pet Parents® who lives with thirteen adorable American Bullies and a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Gretel. She especially enjoys writing how-to articles as she feels through this she can connect to other pet parents on a more personal level.

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