The question we field most frequently from our customers is: What's the best antler chew for my dog? Often, the only antler chews people have seen are at their local big box pet store. These antlers tend to be lower quality, smaller and quite expensive. We’ve had a lot of experience testing our antler chews on our own pack. From old dogs, puppies, super chewers, picky dogs and everything in between, we’ve tested out every style of antler on our pups. Below, we break down the types of antlers we carry and provide a guide to help you select the right antler chew that your dog will love.
ELK ANTLER CHEWS FOR DOGS
Whole Elk Antlers
Our high-quality whole elk antlers are the perfect go-to chew for moderate and occasional chewers. Elk antlers have a thinner outer core compared to other types of whole antlers. This makes them slightly easier to grind down, and a good choice for dogs that like to chew but are not heavy-duty all-day chewers.
Upon request, we can provide elk antler chews from the base of the antler (denser and longer lasting). You may also ask for a chew from the upper part of the antler (softer and easier to chew).
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Split Elk Antlers
Split elk antler chews are terrific for dogs new to antlers, tentative or occasional chewers, puppies or older dogs. Split elk antlers are cut into either halves or quarters making the delicious nutrient rich marrow inside easier to get to. Split elk antler chews will not last as long as whole elk antlers with more aggressive chewing dogs. However, they still make a great treat for your four-legged friend.
Half cut antlers tend to provide a little tougher chew (as far as splits go) while the quarter cuts are some of the least dense antlers we carry with marrow exposed on two sides. Quarter split elk antlers are great for smaller dogs, senior dogs and puppies that need as much of the marrow exposed as possible.
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Small split elk antlers are perfect for puppies
Elk Antler Medallions
Cut from the base of an elk antler, medallions contain the densest and most marrow-rich part of an elk's antler. Digging for the tasty marrow will give your dog hours of entertainment. Elk antler medallions are a long-lasting chew option for even the most vigorous chewers.
DEER AND MOOSE ANTLER CHEWS FOR DOGS
Deer Antlers
Our deer antler chews are perfect for heavy-duty chewers who are pros at destroying anything they get their teeth on. Thanks to their dense outer core, deer antlers provide much more of a challenging chew to access the tasty marrow.
RidgeRunner deer antlers come from naturally shed wild Colorado mule deer. We prefer mule deer over the more commonly found whitetail, because they go a bit easier on your pup's teeth. Consider requesting a denser cut from the base of the antler, or a slightly less dense piece from the upper antler.
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Moose Antlers
All of our moose antler chews come from wild, free-range Alaskan moose. Thanks to their sheer size, moose antlers provide a wide range of options for dogs. We sell moose antler chews in 3 varieties to meet the chewing habits of all dogs: moose paddles, split moose, and moose tine.
The least dense chew we carry, moose paddles have exposed marrow on multiple sides of the antler. Cut from the base sections of the moose antler, moose splits are similar to the elk splits, but denser. Finally, moose tines are the toughest chew in our lineup. The thick outer layer and dense, yummy marrow inside are perfect for the most vigorous chewers in your pack.
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Seasoned chewers like our moose paddles
PICKING THE RIGHT SIZE ANTLER CHEW
In addition to the density and shape of the antler, the right chew for your dog also depends on your pups age and size. The needs of your pup may change through it's life, so keep evaluating their chewing habits. Some dogs, like labs, may need large, challenging chews their whole life. Others may need a challenge during their teething phase, and can graduate to easier chews later.
When in doubt, we recommend sizing up. If your pup is on the upper edge of a size range or a more vigorous chewer, we suggest purchasing the next size up. A smaller dog can always handle a larger chew. However, an undersized antler for a more aggressive chewer will not last a long time. Not sure which size antler chew is right based on your dog's size? Check out our Antler Size Guide for detailed guidance.
At RidgeRunner Antlers, we proudly offer a wide variety of antler types, from petite antlers for tiny puppies to tough tines for aggressive chewers. This means your dog has options and will get the best antler chew possible. If you have further questions, please reach out! We're always happy to chat about antlers and dogs.