Believe it or not, deer antlers are the perfect pet treat for your dog. While they may not be the first treat that comes to mind when you think of the perfect nutrition-packed chew toy, deer antlers may be the answer to your treat prayers! They are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but deer antler treats are also perfect for indoor chewing and your dog’s dental hygiene. But first, let’s jump into what deer antlers actually are.

 

What are deer antler treats?

Antlers grow on more than sixty kinds of male deer, and they are made up of a substance that begins as cartilage and slowly mineralises until it is bone-like. At first, it may seem that taking deer antlers from deer themselves is animal cruelty, but the best bit is that deer antlers actually shed naturally every single year, so deer have new antlers for the breeding season (apparently female deer LOVE antlers on their potential breeding partners!). So we are not stealing anything from deer, simply utilising their shed antlers!

Once these shed antlers are gathered, the only processing deer antlers go through is they are cut to size, sharp points are sanded, and then they are blanched so all kinds of germs are removed for your special dog. Then, they are distributed! The process is almost completely natural and, just like kangaroo tendons, deer antler treats contain one ingredient: deer antlers! And there are plenty more benefits than just one ingredient…

 

Benefits of deer antler treats

 

Deer antler treats love vitamins and minerals!
Deer antlers are absolutely packed with the best vitamins and minerals for your dog, such as

  • Calcium (this makes up majority of the antlers, kind of like bones!)
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Sulphur
  • Zinc

These vitamins and minerals are essential for keeping your dog’s bones and muscles healthy and strong. Think of it as your dog chews on deer antlers, their bones are soaking up all the good stuff to ensure they remain strong for the rest of their life!

 

Deer antler treats are perfect for maintaining dental hygiene!
We know dog treats are usually designed and marketed to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth while giving your dog something to entertain them, but no treat (except for kangaroo tendons) is quite like deer antlers! You see, normal chew sticks on supermarket shelves can be loaded with a range of nasty ingredients, such as fillers, chemicals, and additional calories. The best part of deer antlers is that they are made of just one ingredient! This means they are low in calories and they are made of the perfect natural material to remove plaque from the inside of your dog’s mouth. Deer antlers can last for hours, and act as the perfect toothbrush for your dog’s teeth and gums.

 

Indoor dogs (and owners) love deer antler treats!
There’s nothing worse than giving your dog a dental or long-lasting treat and finding it hours later either broken off into bits around the house or left on your bedroom carpet covered in saliva. Natural treats are also considered to pose unpleasant traits as they can become smelly, greasy, or moldy if hidden under the couch for months on end. Deer antlers are the answer to your prayers! They include no smell or greasiness and have a shelf life of up to three years.

 

 

Are there other kinds of antler treats?

Glad you asked! Yes, there are plenty of different kinds of antler treats, all of which include the benefits antlers contribute to your dog’s health. Different kinds of antler treats are perfect for dogs who may not enjoy chewing, are fussy with their food, or if you’re looking for a less expensive option.

 

Antler powder
Our Antler Powder is a natural dietary supplement promoting joint health, energy and vitality in both dogs and cats. Antler powder has been scientifically shown to increase mobility and quality of life in dogs and cats and can help pets recover from muscle injuries faster.

Antler powder is harvested during the ‘velvet’ stage of growth when the antler contains the most nutritional value found in the inner cartilaginous matrix. Antler powder contains a natural source of:

  • Glucosamine – a building block needed for the body to repair and make cartilage
  • Chondroitin – a protein that promotes joint cartilage growth and repair
  • Collagen – the main support of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue
  • Hyaluronic acid – nature’s lubricant for skin, join and eyes
  • Omega 3 and 6 – for energy and cell repair
  • Calcium and magnesium – to maintain strong bones and teeth
  • IGF, EGF & Amino acids – to build muscle mass and strength

We recommend sprinkling half a teaspoon of antler powder over your pet’s food every 2-3 days.

 

Antler biscuits
These are our yummiest option for introducing antler into your pet’s diet – antler biscuits! These natural pet treats are baked for optimum taste and contain only natural ingredients: wholemeal flour, coconut flour, polenta, psyllium husk, eggs, honey, ground deer antler and ground shark cartilage; a special treat for your pet!

 

As always, all of our Drool Pet Co treats are the highest quality, all-natural and grain-free products. All our products are handmade in small batches to ensure complete control over the ingredients and cooking process.

So there you have it, there are plenty of ways to introduce deer antlers into your pet’s diet, and plenty of benefits to enjoy at the same time!