Learn how deer naturally grow and shed antlers each year
A natural & renewable process – collected after the antlers fall
Deer grow and shed antlers as part of a normal yearly cycle. In species such as red deer, fallow deer, elk, and moose, antler growth and shedding are closely tied to seasonal daylight and hormone changes. Naturally shed antlers are collected only after they’ve dropped to the ground. That means the animal is not handled, chased or harmed as part of the collection process.
How the antler cycle works
- Spring–summer: rapid growth in “velvet” New antlers grow quickly and are covered in a fuzzy skin called velvet. Velvet has a rich blood supply (and nerves), delivering oxygen and nutrients to support fast bone growth.
- Late summer–autumn: hardening and velvet removal As the breeding season approaches, hormone levels shift and the antler mineralizes and hardens. Once growth is complete, the velvet dries and is rubbed off on trees, leaving “clean” hard antler.
- After the rut: shedding (casting) at the pedicle After the breeding season, testosterone drops. This triggers the formation of a natural separation zone at the base of the antler (the pedicle area). Osteoclasts - cells that resorb bone - help break down the attachment at the casting line, and the antler detaches. The pedicle typically scabs over quickly and the cycle begins again.
What antlers are made of
Once hardened, antlers are true bone. They contain a mineral component dominated by calcium and phosphorus, along with organic material (including collagen) and trace minerals. This is one reason antlers are such a durable natural material.
Antlers vs horns
Antlers are shed and regrown. Horns (such as on cattle, sheep, and goats) are generally not shed and are made of bone covered by a keratin sheath (similar to fingernails).
A renewable, animal-friendly material when responsibly sourced
Because antlers regenerate annually and naturally drop as part of the animal’s normal biology, naturally shed antlers can be described as a renewable material when they are collected after casting, without disturbing wildlife.
Buddylicious is using naturally shed deer antlers from the vast forests of Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Poland to make safe dog chews of the highest quality. Please see our blog about the deer antler chew production process here.
Chew Safety: Antlers are very hard and long-lasting, but that hardness can be too tough for some dogs. For these reasons we recommend our deer antler chews to all dogs older than 6 months and discourage use for very old dogs with dental problems/weaknesses. Always supervise chewing, choose the right size for your dog, and discontinue use if the chew becomes small enough to swallow or if your dog shows dental discomfort.
