Since Canophera chews are all-natural, they are meant to be broken down as the dog chews. Many pet parents question the longevity and life cycle of each chew. While each of our chews vary in their durability and longevity, the biggest variable is actually your dog. Each dog has their own specific chewing behaviors and tendencies that are going to impact their chew in different ways.  

One of the biggest factors in determining the longevity of each chew is the amount of time the dog spends chewing. We recommend daily chew time around 20 mins to allow your dog to achieve optimal stress-relief and enjoyment. If the dog is chewing for longer periods or more frequently this will obviously break the chew down faster. 

Every dog chews differently and we recognize this by offering a variety of chews to suit each type of chewer. While some dogs chew very slowly and gently, others are more aggressive and determined chewers. These varying styles will greatly affect the longevity of your chew.  

To learn more about what chew could be right for your specific dog, check out our Canophera chew-o-meter here. 

While all dogs have different chewing tendencies, pet parents still want to know what to expect from each chew as their dog chews. 

Red Deer Antlers.

Our nearly indestructible chews for the strongest power chewers are made from quality grade-A red-deer antlers. They are packed with minerals, calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support your dog‘s health and mobility. They are odor-free and non-allergenic. 

We offer both antler splits and wholes. Splits give direct access to the bone marrow, which is best for moderate to heavy chewers. Wholes on the other hand are for those superpower chewers that want and need to work to get to the marrow.  

Both splits and wholes will break down as the dog chews. As the dog chews, they will ingest the small pieces and some will come off onto the floor. This is completely normal and expected. When the antler becomes too small for your dog to safely chew, we suggest taking it away and discarding it. This will give your dog the premium chew experience. 

Sheep Horns.  

Our Sheep Horns are 100% all-natural and are a great way for dogs to relieve stress and satisfy their natural desire to chew. They also strengthen the dental muscles and promote dental health as the fibers of the sheep horn serve as a natural toothbrush.  

As the dog chews, small pieces of the Sheep Horn will come off. These are fully digestible in small amounts. The dog can continue to chew the horn; however, when it becomes too small for your dog, please discard it. If your dog is a more aggressive or persistent chewer, we recommend sizing up. Also check out your product tag for more information on the life cycle of your chew. 

After a chew session, we encourage pet parents to wash the horn, dry it, and place it in the freezer to keep it extra fresh for pet. This is especially necessary for slower chewers.  

Pet Safety.

Like any chew toy, always keep an eye on your pet as they chew, as each dog has a unique chewing behavior. Some things to watch for as a pet parent: 

• Since the antlers and sheep horns are natural products, there may be some flakes or mess left behind. This is normal and remember to have your vacuum or broom handy. 
• If your dog has bitten off a larger piece, simply toss it away. Keep watching them, because they may have graduated to a larger chew size. 
• When in doubt on choosing the correct size for your dog, size up. 
• Also remember that this is a chew, not food. The small pieces that flake off are digestible in small amounts, but please do not let them eat every piece! 
• When the chew becomes less than 20% of its original size, please discard it for the safety of your dog.