How Antlers Are Graded And Why It Matters

At Mountain Valley Antlers, we believe every dog deserves the paw-fect chew—and that starts with grading our antlers to ensure only the best make it to your furry friend. Think of it like picking the ripest apple from the tree or the best stick in the yard (your pup would totally approve). Here’s the scoop on antler grading and why it makes a difference for your dog’s safety, nutrition, and chewing delight.

Grade A — The Gold Standard

What It Is: The cream of the crop antlers—freshly shed, dense, dark, and packed with nutrients. These are gathered within a year of when it’s shed, and is the only type of antler we use at Mountain Valley Antlers.

 

Why Your Dog Will Love It:

  • Maximum freshness means higher moisture content perfect for carving away as they chew.
  • Chocked full of calcium, phosphorus, and glucosamine for stronger bones and joints.
  • Durable and long-lasting— your dog will get hours and hours of enjoyment and enrichment.
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Grade B — Still Pretty Awesome

What It Is: Slightly older antlers (2-3 years), sun-bleached white with some tiny surface cracks on one or both sides of the antler. These antlers still have plenty of chewing life left!

 

Why They Work:

  • Core “meat” of the antler (bone marrow) is intact, so they’re still safe and sturdy.
  • Much less moisture content and can sometimes start becoming brittle leading to a chew that doesn’t last nearly as long as Grade A
  • Still maintain 60% - 80% of their initial nutrient content 
  • The only reason we don’t use them is because they aren’t the highest quality possible, so we choose to only offer Grade-A antlers.
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Grade C — The Chalky Pretenders

What It Is: Very Old antlers (10-25+ years), brittle antlers that are well past their prime. Although they’re chalky, brittle, and dry– a lot of companies will dress them up to appear more appetizing.

 

Why You Should Skip Them:

  • Higher risk of splintering = not safe for your pup.
  • Very dry and crumbly. Barely holding themselves together
  • Maintain 15% - 25% of their initial nutrient content
  • Many competitors "doctor them up" with dyes, smoke, or flavorings to make them look fresh.

Let’s be real: Your dog deserves way better!

Why Grading Matters For Your Dog

Choosing the right antler grade isn’t just about quality—it’s about giving your pup a chew that’s safe, nutritious, and enjoyable.

Safety First: Lower-grade antlers (like Grade C) are more brittle and can splinter, putting your pup at risk. Mountain Valley Antlers only offers Grade A antlers because your dog’s safety is non-negotiable.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Fresh antlers retain higher levels of calcium, phosphorus, and glucosamine, which are essential for your dog’s bone and joint health. Antlers are also high in protein and healthy fats. Antlers act like a natural bone broth for your dog right in their chew toy. Bonus: They’re also naturally great at keeping teeth clean!

Long-Lasting Fun: Grade A antlers are super durable, which means more chewing time for your pup and less time replacing chews for you.

What Sets Mountain Valley Antlers Apart?

Not all antler brands play by the same rules. Many competitors cut corners by using low-grade antlers and masking them with artificial tricks. Here’s why Mountain Valley Antlers is different:

100% Natural

No dyes, no coatings, no boiling in broths—just pure, natural antlers the way nature intended.

 

Grade A Quality

Everything we sell online is Grade A, meaning your pup gets the freshest, safest, and most nutritious chew available.

Transparency You Can Trust

We don’t hide behind flavorings, artificial ingredients, or filler– what you see is what you get: top-tier antlers for your best friend.

Why Your Pup Deserves Mountain Valley Antlers

Your dog chewing on something isn’t just a treat; it’s an experience. With Mountain Valley Antlers, you’re giving them a safe, natural, and nutritious chew they’ll love. And with only Grade A antlers in our lineup, you can rest easy knowing your pup is gnawing on the best of the best.

Ready to upgrade your dog’s chew game? Shop Mountain Valley Antlers today—because your pup deserves nothing but the top dog of chews.

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