Bayleigh W.Customer review
★★★★★
“She's enjoying gnawing on it and hasn't ripped it to shreds…”
Bought: Deer Antler Chew - Extra Large
Gnawer or cruncher
6 Ways to Tell a Gnawer From a Cruncher Before You Buy an Antler
Most dogs show you in one session. Here are the 6 signs, and the antler to start with if yours is a gnawer.
Find your dog's antler
4.6528 reviews
- Naturally shed
- Sourced in the USA
- Veteran-owned
Which Chewer Is Yours?
| What you see | Gnawer | Cruncher |
|---|---|---|
| Body language | Lies down, settles in | Stands or sits up, gets to work |
| Paws | Hold the chew still | Rarely used |
| Sound | Slow, steady scraping | Sharp cracks |
| Teeth | Front teeth, one end | Back teeth, clamping down |
| What it leaves behind | A smoother end | Chips or broken pieces |
| Antler? | May be a fit, with supervision | Ask your vet; consider skipping |
Many dogs do a bit of both. A dog that is mostly a gnawer can still crunch when excited. This is a way to look, not a diagnosis.
A Gnawer Settles In; a Cruncher Gets to Work
Give a gnawer a hard chew and they take it somewhere comfortable, drop to the floor and stay there. A cruncher tends to stay upright and go straight at it, like the chew owes them money. Watch the first minute. It tells you a lot.
Gnawers Pin the Chew Down With Their Paws
Look at the front paws. A gnawer holds the chew still, tips it at an angle and works one end with the front teeth. A cruncher rarely bothers to hold anything. They just bite, usually with the back teeth, and that bite is the part to worry about with a very hard chew.
Already know your dog is a gnawer?
Pick a type and sizeListen for Scraping, Not Cracking
Close your eyes for a minute. Gnawing sounds like slow, steady scraping. Sharp cracks, or a dog that seems to be trying to snap the chew in half, point to a cruncher. Antlers are very hard and can fracture teeth, so a dog that cracks things should not be handed one on a hunch.
The Surface Gets Smoother, Not Chipped
After a few days of gnawing, the ends of an antler often look worn and smooth. Chips, flakes or loose pieces mean the dog is biting, not scraping. Take it away if that happens. Swallowed pieces can cause choking or a blockage.
“This antler keeps him busy … The big ones last a while and keeps his interest so I feel like it's a good value.”
A Gnawer Comes Back to the Same Chew
Gnawers like a project. They pick the same chew up again and keep working it. A cruncher tends to want it finished. If your dog goes through a hard chew in one sitting, or you are watching for the next crack, treat that as the answer.
How long an antler lasts varies a lot by dog and by piece, so we don't promise a number.
If It's a Gnawer: Type and Size
Small is for dogs 5 to 25 lb, Medium 25 to 45, Large 45 to 65, Extra Large 65 to 85, and Giant 85 and over. Weight is the starting point. When it arrives, it should be too big to fit entirely in your dog's mouth.
Deer
Generally harder and denser than elk.
Whole elk
Keeps the dense outer shell around the marrow.
Split elk
The easier introduction if a dog ignores a whole antler at first.
Find Your Dog's Antler
1 · Type
2 · Your dog's weight
3 · How to buy
ContinueAntlers are hard chews and can fracture teeth. Not for puppies, seniors with worn teeth, or dogs that crack hard objects. Details below.
Cruncher or Not Sure? Ask Your Vet First
If your dog bites down hard, or you can't tell yet, an antler is not the place to start. Try a softer chew for a week and watch the signs above, then ask your vet whether a hard chew suits your dog. Skipping antlers is a fair outcome, and we would rather you skip than guess.
Skip antlers for
- Puppies still losing baby teeth
- Senior dogs with worn or brittle teeth
- Dogs with dental damage or a past tooth fracture
- Dogs that bite down hard with the back teeth
Retire the antler when
- It's small enough to fit entirely in your dog's mouth
- It has a sharp edge or a split that catches a fingernail
- Your dog is swallowing pieces instead of shaving the surface
Supervise every session. Start with 10 to 15 minutes. Take it away if your dog is biting down hard instead of gnawing.
What Gnawing Looks Like
Photos and words from Heartland customers whose dogs gnaw.
Kim C.Customer review
★★★★★
“She chews for a while and settles down and then naps…”
Bought: Deer Antler Chew - Extra Large
Chaz T.Customer review
★★★★☆
“Otis loves his antlers! Lasts months for my active chewer.”
Bought: Deer Antler Chew - Extra Large
Zane H.Customer review
★★★★★
“He loves chewing on the antler and still has it many months later!”
Bought: Deer Antler Chew - Extra Large
15% off your first antler
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Questions Owners Ask
My dog does a bit of both. Now what?
Treat that as a maybe. Supervise closely, and stop if you hear cracking or see chips and loose pieces. Ask your vet whether a hard chew suits your dog before you try one.
Does a gnawer still need supervision?
Yes. Antlers can fracture teeth and swallowed pieces can cause choking or a blockage, even with a dog that mostly scrapes. Start with 10 to 15 minutes, size up correctly, and retire the antler when it gets small or sharp.
Does age matter?
Yes. Puppies still losing baby teeth and seniors with worn teeth should skip antlers, however they chew.
Deer, whole elk or split elk for a gnawer?
Deer is generally harder and denser than elk. A whole elk antler keeps the dense outer shell. Split elk is the easier introduction if a dog ignores a whole antler at first.
What if my dog ignores it?
Try split elk, the easier start. Our return policy covers items in the condition you received them, so a chewed antler can't be returned. Questions: info@heartlandantlers.com.
Shipping and delivery
Orders are processed within 2 to 3 business days. Standard shipping is $7.95, and shipping is free on eligible orders of $50 or more.