How to choose the right deer antler for your dog: the size to match how big they are, the hardness to match how they chew, how to give it and when to take it away. Antler is for adult dogs, not for puppies. For dogs it doesn’t suit, we tell you what to choose instead.
Under ingredients, a red deer antler has a single line: 100% red deer antler, naturally shed. In other words, exactly the antler the deer sheds on its own, every year. It is hard, so you choose two things carefully for your dog: the size, to match how big they are, so the piece can’t fit whole in their mouth, and the hardness, to match the way they chew. An antler is for adult dogs with healthy teeth who chew patiently, with you beside them. It is not for puppies. All our antlers are gathered in a single collection. Here we go through them one by one, by size, along with what to choose when an antler isn’t the right fit.
What size of deer antler suits your dog
Hold the antler next to your dog’s muzzle. The antler should be clearly longer than the width of their mouth and must not fit whole inside it. If you’re torn between two sizes, go for the larger one.
| Antler | Length | Weight | Dog size | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red deer antler S | 10 cm | approx. 20–50 g | small | easy chew |
| Red deer antler M | 12 cm | approx. 40–70 g | medium | easy chew |
| Fallow deer antler M | 13–16 cm | approx. 45–75 g | medium | softer than red deer antler |
| Red deer antler XL+ | 18 cm | approx. 120–224 g | large | hard chew |
| Red deer antler XXL | 20 cm | approx. 120–200 g | large | hard chew |
The weight is approximate and varies from piece to piece. Size takes priority: don’t pick a smaller size just to make it easier to chew. A piece that is too small for their mouth can be swallowed.
For large dogs, our antlers are whole, a hard chew. If your dog is large or falls between M and XL+, and is only now discovering antlers or chews gently, you’ll find what to choose instead further down.
Easy chew or hard chew: how to choose the hardness
With red deer antler, the difference between easy chew and hard chew comes down to the marrow, the porous part inside, and to how quickly your dog gets to it.
Easy chew
On the red deer antler S and the red deer antler M, the marrow is exposed from the start. Your dog gets to it sooner and chews more gently. It’s the option for a first antler and for dogs who chew in moderation.
Hard chew
The red deer antler XL+ and the red deer antler XXL are whole pieces of antler, the densest in the range. They are made for large adult dogs who chew tenaciously and have healthy teeth, not for dogs who are just starting out with antlers.
Fallow deer antler
The fallow deer antler M comes from the fallow deer, and the producer says it is softer than red deer antler. It is also more porous, so it suits medium-sized adult dogs who chew seriously but not aggressively.
If your dog is small or medium-sized and you don’t yet know how they chew, start with an easy chew sized for them, and watch them closely the first few times.
Are deer antlers safe for dogs? What vets say
We’ll say it plainly: vets point out that antler is so hard it can crack or chip a tooth. Many of them advise against giving antlers at all, and those who accept them set clear rules: the right size, supervision and checking the antler.
Vets also give a simple test: if you can’t make a dent with your thumbnail in what you give your dog to chew, it is too hard for their teeth. Antler doesn’t pass this test. That’s why we keep it on our shelves only with the rules written on each antler’s page: an adult dog, the right size, you beside them while they chew, and the antler taken away in time.
How to give the antler: supervision, water and when to take it away
- The first few times, watch closely how your dog chews: patiently, or forcefully, trying to break the antler.
- Leave fresh water within their reach.
- They only have the antler while you are there.
- After they have chewed, look the antler over. Take it away once it has become small enough to be swallowed, when it has cracks or sharp edges, or when a piece has come off it.
- Don’t boil it to soften it. Vets warn that a boiled antler splinters more easily.
If you notice that something isn’t right with their mouth, take the antler away and take your dog to the vet.
When something other than a deer antler is better
For some dogs, an antler isn’t the right choice:
- Puppies. Antler is not for puppies: not as an easy chew, and not while they are changing their teeth. Veterinary sources say to wait until the puppy is at least a year old. Until then, ask your vet what they can chew.
- Older dogs and dogs with sensitive teeth. For them, ask your vet first.
- Dogs who try to break the antler or swallow big pieces.
- Large dogs who are only now discovering antlers or who chew gently. Our antlers for large dogs are made for dogs who are already used to antlers.
For adult dogs who find antler too hard, there are softer, edible chews: beef sticks and dried skin chews. These, too, are for chewing with you beside them.
How a deer antler reaches us
Our antlers come from a verified producer in Poland. In short, these are the steps:
- Deer shed their antlers on their own, every year. The antlers are gathered from the forest, and no deer is hunted or harmed for them.
- They are pressure-washed and sterilised.
- They are portioned into the sizes that suit each dog size, then the edges are sanded smooth.
- Each piece is checked by hand: shape, smoothness, integrity.
- Before packing, the batch receives a veterinary health certificate, in Poland.
What remains is a single ingredient: the antler. We read the label before we put anything on our shelves and, as with everything we sell, we ask ourselves: would we give it to Nova?
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a dog have a deer antler?
From adulthood. Antler is not for puppies: on our pages, every antler is for adult dogs. Veterinary sources say to wait until they are at least a year old. Until then, ask your vet what they can chew.
What size of antler should I get for my dog?
The antler should be clearly longer than the width of their mouth and must not fit whole inside it. In short: S for small dogs, M (red deer or fallow deer) for medium dogs, XL+ or XXL for large dogs. If you’re torn between two sizes, go for the larger one. XL+ and XXL, however, are made for dogs who are already used to antlers, not for beginners.
What do easy chew and hard chew mean?
On an easy-chew antler, the marrow is exposed from the start, so it is gentler to chew: it’s the option for a first antler. A hard-chew antler is a whole, dense piece, for large dogs who chew tenaciously and have healthy teeth.
Can I boil the antler to make it softer?
No. Vets warn that a boiled antler splinters more easily. If you want something softer, choose an easy chew (for small and medium dogs) or an edible chew.
How long does a deer antler last, and when do I throw it away?
It depends on the dog: from a few days to a few weeks. Take it away once it has become small enough to be swallowed, or when it has cracks or sharp edges.
If you don’t know what to choose
Size first, to match your dog. Then hardness, to match how they chew: an easy chew to start with, a whole antler for large dogs who chew tenaciously. All our antlers are in the Antlers collection, with the size and weight written on each one. If you’re not sure, fill in your dog’s profile (size, age, sensitivities) and we’ll show you on every antler whether it suits them. Or write to us at contact@petique.ro.
