Deer Antlers: Super-Nutritious Organic Dog Antler Chews

Farm to Pet Deer Antlers for Dogs come from whitetail deer sheds right here in our backyard of Illinois and Wisconsin. Most of us grew up nearby and these beautiful whitetail deer were frequent visitors to our yards and neighborhoods. Spying their magnificent antlers through the trees was always a treat – and now they make perfect healthy chew treats for our beloved dogs!

Whitetail deer, and elk and reindeer for that matter, naturally and painlessly shed their antlers every year, leaving a treasure trove of natural, organic, ecofriendly dog chew toys in the process. In fact, antlers are the fastest growing tissue of any mammal and can grow up to an inch in one day, arguably making elk and deer the most productive natural dog chew factories on earth!

Once they are shed, our deer antlers for dogs are hand harvested by a local farm that carefully selects only grade A or B antlers, meaning that they are promptly gathered and meticulously inspected for maximum freshness. Deer antlers that have been lying exposed for too long can sun bleach and dehydrate, compromising the durability and splinter-resistance that only high-quality deer antlers provide. 

Other than the source – namely, whitetail deer as opposed to elk or reindeer – deer antlers have both similarities and differences from elk antler and reindeer antler sheds for dogs. The key similarity is composition. Deer antlers contain nearly 40 percent protein due to the marrow they encase, while the outer layers are similar to bone but less prone to breakage and splintering and contain high levels of calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals.

Where deer antlers differ from elk and reindeer antlers is primarily their size and shape. While deer antlers are actually smaller than elk antlers, 3-9 pounds versus up to 20 for elk, they have more prongs. As a result, deer antlers can’t be cut down or split in half since the pieces would become too small for a dog to safely chew. In contrast, elk and reindeer antlers can be portioned into more pieces and then even split further yet still be large enough not to pose a choking risk as a dog chew toy. Because deer antlers must be kept whole to be used as dog chew, the finished product actually ends up being a much larger dog chew than a cut piece of elk or reindeer antler!

As you can guess from the section above, the protein and mineral content in deer antlers makes them extremely nutritious and healthy as natural antler dog chews. High levels of essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and trace elements support many canine biological systems and promote your dog's overall health and vitality in the process. Plus, their glucosamine and chondroitin content also supports bone and joint health, making them ideal for active dogs and large breeds.

Of course, as dogs gnaw away the outer layers of the deer antlers, the reward in the center is the tasty marrow, rich in protein, non-allergenic, and with virtually no fat or calories per serving. And the gnawing action is even beneficial in itself. Chewing on a deer antler for dogs promotes good canine oral hygiene by strengthening teeth and jaws and helping prevent and remove plaque, tartar and calculus buildup.

When they come from a trustworthy source like Farm to Pet and are used properly, deer antlers are a safe dog chew bone option. Antlers, especially high-quality ones, are naturally resistant to splintering, much more so than bones, which helps prevent choking and injuries to teeth and gums while chewing and possible intestinal damage if shards were to be swallowed. Plus, the layers that dogs ingest while chewing are fully, easily, and safely digestible, all without the mess and odor of many other dog chew types.

Of course, there are some precautions to take, such as ensuring your dog is over six months of age (no more milk teeth!) and has no loose or missing teeth or other dental problems that could cause issues with hard chews. In addition, antlers should be inspected regularly for signs of excessive wear or breakage and promptly replaced as needed. And finally, dogs should always be supervised while they are chewing, whether it be deer antlers or any dog chew toys.

Due to their large size and extremely tough exterior, our whole deer antlers are best suited for large dogs (35 pounds and over) that are very aggressive and experienced chewers. These durable organic deer antler chews give big dogs hours of chewing pleasure, exercise and mental stimulation, not to mention distraction during times of stress or boredom and a sense of accomplishment when they reach that inner marrow!

For smaller dogs and different chewing styles, check out our selection of Elk Antlers and Reindeer Antlers for Dogs and the size and chew style guidelines for each to find the option that is best suited to your pup.

Are you the proud paw-rent of a chewing challenged or senior pup – or perhaps have a cat in the house that wants in on the antler action? They can still enjoy the nutritional benefits and flavor of antler sheds with no chomping required thanks to our organic Antler Powder pet food topper!