Welcoming a new dog into your home is an exciting time, but it often comes with the challenge of finding toys that can withstand their enthusiastic play. Many dog owners have experienced the disappointment of purchasing a toy that quickly ends up in pieces, leaving their canine companions unsatisfied and owners frustrated. This review delves into the world of “indestructible” dog toys, putting five popular options to the ultimate test, not by human experts, but by a panel of discerning shelter dogs.
The Canine Reviewers: Benafim Shelter Dogs
At Benafim Dog Shelter, a variety of dogs, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles, are constantly testing the durability and appeal of dog toys. These dogs, with their diverse chewing styles and play habits, provide honest and unfiltered feedback. For this review, we purchased five toys: The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, The Kong Rewards Ball, The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy Bone, The Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, and The Kong Wobbler. Each toy was subjected to a week of rigorous chewing, playing, burying, and general mayhem to determine its true resilience and entertainment value.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, in a Bison flavor and XXL size, is designed for powerful chewers weighing over 23kg. Our 9-year-old Pitt bull, Nero, spent hours chewing this toy, leaving barely a mark. Its large size is manageable for dogs to carry, and the curved design provides an easy grip for paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
Even Maya, a 3-year-old rescue dog who was initially timid, took an immediate liking to the Nylabone. The toy’s appealing texture and durability encouraged her to play and engage with other dogs, like Max, in playful chases. Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits, also found the Nylabone to be exceptionally durable, showing no significant damage after extensive chewing.
An added benefit is the toy’s ease of cleaning and its long-lasting flavor, ensuring continued engagement for the dog without creating a mess.
Gallery of dogs playing with the Nylabone
- Komo
- Nora
- White Nero
The Details
- Flavor: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey)
- Features: Raised bristles to aid in cleaning teeth and gums.
- Dimensions: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs over 23 kg
Summary
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy receives a resounding recommendation from the shelter dogs. It is an excellent choice for dogs who love to chew, get bored easily, and require a durable and flavorful toy.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball initially garnered mixed reactions, but its appeal grew as dogs discovered its dual function: a playful toy and a treat dispenser. Inserting treats was straightforward, and the dogs found it easy to access their rewards. However, the dogs seemed to prefer the soft, bouncy texture of the ball itself over the treat-dispensing aspect.
Jean was particularly fond of the Rewards Ball, spending hours chewing it and burying it to retrieve later. Komo also enjoyed playing with it. Across all the dogs, from large breeds like Jambo to smaller ones like Star, the ball withstood significant chewing, bouncing, and interactive play without any visible tooth marks or damage. It also proved to be an effective and simple treat dispenser.
Gallery of dogs playing with the Kong Rewards Ball
- Nora
- Jean
- Baldo
- Star
- Jambo
The Details
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above
Summary
The Kong Rewards Ball is considered a well-rounded toy that combines play and food, satisfying dogs’ natural instincts. It is a durable and tough toy that holds up well to chewing and interactive play, while also serving as an effective treat dispenser.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone initially generated a lot of excitement due to its soft, rubbery texture and convenient handles. Black Nero enjoyed playing tug-of-war and fetching the toy, even from the lake. However, its pliable material proved to be less durable than anticipated.
Within 30 minutes, the bone showed significant teeth marks and was nearly split in two, indicating it was not suitable for strong chewers. While dogs like Pebbles and Jean enjoyed retrieving and playing with it, its lack of durability meant the fun was short-lived.
Gallery of dogs playing with the CyunCmay Bone
- Jean
- Nora
- Kilo
- Jean
- Pebbles
- Pebbles
- White Nero
The Details
- Dimensions: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 grams
- Material: TPR environmentally friendly material, designed to help clean teeth.
Summary
Despite being marketed as strong and durable, the CyunCmay XL Bone did not withstand the chewing of the shelter dogs. While it provided temporary fun, it is not recommended for dogs that are aggressive chewers.
HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
The HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, primarily designed for dental hygiene, received a lukewarm reception from the dogs. Even the squeaky feature failed to generate much enthusiasm, with Maya initially hiding from the sound. Applying peanut butter inside the grooves offered a temporary boost in interest, but Maya soon lost focus.
Black Nero and Maya showed the most interest, but their engagement was very brief. The toy did not hold their attention for long, and despite its dental cleaning design, it failed to provide lasting entertainment for most of the dogs.
Gallery of dogs playing with the HETOO Toy
- Black Nero
- Maya
The Details
- Material: Natural rubber
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
Summary
The HETOO toy did not excite or entertain the shelter dogs for an extended period. Its squeaking feature was more of a human annoyance than a dog attractant, and the dental benefits were overshadowed by its lack of engaging play value.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Kong Wobbler, made from a hard plastic polymer, initially confused the dogs with its size and wobbly nature. Kilo, in particular, seemed perplexed by the red object. While humans found it easy to fill with treats, the dogs struggled to dispense them, especially on the uneven surface of the kennels.
Once placed on a smooth surface and with the correct treat size, the dogs engaged enthusiastically. Its large size makes it difficult for dogs to pick up, reducing the likelihood of destructive chewing. The shelter dogs deemed it indestructible and easy to use, provided the treat size is appropriate for the dispensing hole.
Gallery of dogs trying to use the Kong Wobbler
- Komo
- Kilo
- Climber
- Pebbles
The Details
- Material: Plastic polymer
- Dimensions: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 12 kg plus
- Capacity: Maximum 250 grams of filling
Summary
After understanding its function and being used on an appropriate surface, the Kong Wobbler became a hit. Its size and design contribute to its durability, making it a strong contender for indestructible toy status.
Conclusion: The Dogs Have Spoken!
The shelter dogs have deliberated and reached a consensus on these five “indestructible” toys. For dogs who love to chew, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out. For interactive play and treat dispensing, the Kong Rewards Ball and the Kong Wobbler are highly recommended. While the CyunCmay Bone and the HETOO toy offered some temporary amusement, they did not meet the durability standards set by the more robust options.
Here’s a quick summary of the top performers:
| Brand & Item | Features | Flavor | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone, Cleans Teeth, XXL | Extremely tough, bristles clean teeth, perfect for chewers. | Bison | Tough, durable nylon |
| KONG – Rewards Ball – Ultra Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, Large | Dispenses treats, great for playful dogs. | N/A | Long-lasting Kong rubber |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing, Medium/Large Dogs | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof. | N/A | Long-lasting Kong rubber |
For owners seeking toys that can withstand vigorous play, investing in options like the Nylabone or the Kong Wobbler appears to be the most reliable choice, ensuring long-lasting entertainment for their canine companions.
