2023 VANGUARD AWARDS

Natural, sustainable and as close to nature as possible have become some of the many merits of giving dogs wood chews. Category leaders like Canophera and Ware Pet Products are seeing growth momentum as they continue educating pet owners about this category of chews alternatives and dispelling safety concerns as well as presumptions that any old piece of wood in the backyard would also suffice.

“Sales continue to be positive and steady for our Gorilla Chews,” said Ware Pet Products’ VP of Product Development and Sourcing John Gerstenberger. “To continue that momentum and growth, Ware is currently researching and conceptualizing Gorilla Sticks, which offer a different chew experience through shape, consistent diameter, and a better price point.”

Both Ware Pet’s and Canophera’s deference to the environment stand out in this category. Gorilla Chews and Canophera’s wood chews come from caffeine-free coffee wood, a natural byproduct during coffee production so no trees were uprooted or cut down for production. “The Gorilla Chews are thoughtfully upcycled from retired coffee trees that otherwise would have either gone to landfills or been burned,” he said.

Canophera sets itself apart with affordable premium quality and steadfast commitment to sustainability and in “how we handle all of the work from

Wood Dog Chews

helping farmers with the cutting of the trees to our own warehouses in Vietnam to help with our drying process but mostly to have the complete control of quality of our brand which no other company can say for that,” said President and Managing Partner Rob Johnson. “Canophera stands against mass production of toys with chemical ingredients or plastics. We don’t use any artificial ingredients in our chew sticks or our packaging. Our 100 percent natural chewing sticks ensure responsible consumption: trees are protected, our products are vegan, and we are against mass factory farming.”

Strict adherence to these values has helped usher in a ‘tremendous’ time for growth for the company in the first part of the year, said Johnson. “Not only did our distribution throughout the US grow exponentially with new distri- bution and partners, but we also expanded on the success of our ‘original’ wood chew line by adding several new product lines that launched at Global Pet Expo 2023,” he said. “With the same unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability, we launched our new Canophera Briar Roots and a new tug style chew made from upcycling the by-product of our Original Canophera Wood Chews and a fully sustainable coconut rope for added engagement.”

The idea of giving dogs a piece of wood tempts the suggestion that any tree branch will also satisfy the need to chew, but Ware Pet addresses this and other questions and misconceptions in its online FAQ.

The information is also helpful for Ware Pet Products’ retailer partners. “We are very proud of the relationships with our retailer partners that embrace our commitment to pet health, wellness and fun,” said Gerstenberger. “We offer our retail partners education, marketing materials, and a great assortment of solution-based products.”

Johnson added, “Education is everything to us, as we want our consumers to know that Canophera is constantly evolving and expanding our product lines. We started the coffee wood trend due to the long testing of how the sticks should be treated and what sizes are perfect for all dogs to be safe when chewing on CANOPHERA coffee wood sticks.”