Why Antler Chews?

Giving your dog something to chew is an important part of their day. It stimulates their mind by providing an activity that is instinctual and fulfilling to any member of the canine species. Chewing Elk Antlers and Deer Antlers has many benefits for a dog; it provides mental stimulation while exercising the jaw muscles. It also cleans the teeth effectively by scraping the tooth and loosening plaque and tartar build up. Elk and deer antler chews are a great option, especially for the heavyweight chewer. Antlers are 100% natural, odor-free and can be extremely long lasting. Elk and deer antlers will not splinter or chip away, instead they will be ground down over time as the dog chews on it. Wolves, foxes and other wild canines as well as rodents chew on antlers whenever the opportunity arises since antlers are full of many essential minerals such as calcium, zinc, glucosamine and magnesium. The marrow at the center is tasty, very nutritious and easy to consume and this chew is entirely mess free!

We only sell antler chews made with antlers that come from wild elk and mule deer from the Colorado Rockies and the adjacent Western states. The elk antler chews come in either whole or split depending on your dog's chewing habits. We only sell the deer antler whole due to the smaller diameter of the antler.

When it comes to durability, we rank the chews in the following order starting with the softest:

Split Elk Antlers - Since these are split down the middle to expose the marrow, these are great for puppies, older dogs or dogs that are new to chewing antlers. These will not last very long for hard chewing dogs but are still a terrific treat.

Whole Elk Antlers - These are great for harder chewing dogs that already enjoy antler chews. Since the marrow is not exposed other than on the cut ends, these antlers are a bigger challenge for your pup and will last much longer. Whole antlers vary in density depending on where they are cut from on the antler. Pieces cut closer to the base of the antler are very dense and will pose more of a challenge to hard chewing dogs. Pieces cut from the upper part of the antler have a less dense outer core and more marrow making them a little softer for dogs who are not as aggressive with their chewing. 

Whole Deer Antlers - Mule deer antler is much harder and denser than elk antler. Deer antlers have less marrow and a thicker outer core which makes them great for very hard chewing breeds that need more of a challenge. If properly sized to your dog's weight and chewing habits, deer antlers should last your pup many months.

The elk and deer antlers we purchase from my network of "shed hunters" are often found no more than a few hours from here. Very much how quality "farm to table" restaurants can tell you where their produce or meats come from, we know exactly where our antlers have come from...Steamboat, Gunnison and Glenwood Springs are our "farms". The antlers we purchase always come from wild elk that have naturally shed their antlers. We never purchase farmed elk antlers since they often contain antibiotics, steroids and other non-natural elements. 

** Always supervise your dog while they enjoy their RidgeRunner antler chew. We encourage pet owners to take the time and choose the correct type, size, and density of antler for their dog. Additionally, once an antler becomes too small and might pose a choking hazard, discard and replace it with a fresh one.