Worth knowing · Chew material

Elk antler

Also appears on labels as: naturally shed elk antler, antler

Shed antler, essentially dense bone, sold whole or split.

Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.

Where it comes from: Collected from the ground on ranches and public land after animals drop them naturally.
Why it's in the product: A very long-lasting chew with some mineral content.
Safety and toxicity: No chemical concern. The problem is hardness: antler is a well-known cause of slab fractures in dogs' carnassial teeth. The common veterinary rule of thumb is that if you cannot dent it with a thumbnail, it can break a tooth.
Interactions and who should be careful: Powerful chewers and dogs with existing dental disease are highest risk.

General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.

Not in anything we've scored yet

No product in our database lists this on its panel. That says more about how much we have scored so far than about how common the ingredient is.