Bringing a new toy home for your canine companion should be a moment of joy, but for many dog owners, it’s a fleeting experience. The excitement of a new plaything quickly turns to a sigh of despair as the toy succumbs to powerful jaws within hours, or even minutes. We understand this frustration all too well. As dedicated dog owners and caretakers of a rescue shelter family, we’ve subjected countless toys to the ultimate test: the relentless chewing of our dogs. This review focuses on “indestructible” dog toys, putting five popular options through their paces with our team of furry experts at Benafim Dog Shelter, including the handsome Nero, who is available for adoption.
Putting “Indestructible” to the Test: Our Expert Reviewers
To provide you with reliable and trustworthy feedback, we acquired five toys claimed to be indestructible: 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. For one week, these toys were chewed, tossed, buried, retrieved, and generally put through the wringer by our diverse pack, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Their feedback, delivered with the unfiltered honesty only a dog can provide, is as follows.
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, a dog of exceptional intelligence and chewing prowess, spent hours with this toy, leaving barely a scratch. Its substantial size is deceivingly light, making it easy for dogs to carry. The slightly curved design provides a comfortable grip for their paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
Maya, a 3-year-old rescue who was initially timid around humans and likely had little experience with toys, took to the Nylabone immediately. She enthusiastically chewed and carried it, even enticing other dogs like Max to chase her. This toy is remarkably easy to clean and, more importantly, retains its flavor indefinitely. For owners who detest mess and odor, the Nylabone is a game-changer, offering no smell and no mess.
Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits – capable of dismantling tree trunks and even bending strong fencing when anxious – met his match with this Nylabone. He not only failed to break it but thoroughly enjoyed hours of chewing, with only faint tooth marks to show for it.
Gallery of Dogs Enjoying the Nylabone
- Komo
- Nora
- White Nero
Product Details
- Flavor: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey)
- Features: Raised bristles to aid in cleaning teeth and gums. Non-toxic and safe.
- Dimensions: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended For: Dogs over 23 kg
Shelter Dog Summary
Every dog at Benafim Shelter wholeheartedly recommends the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy. For owners with dogs who love to chew, get bored easily, and need a flavorful, durable outlet, this toy is an excellent choice.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball initially garnered less overt enthusiasm from our canine testers compared to other toys, but this proved to be a short-lived reaction. The concept of combining a chewable toy with a treat dispenser is ingenious, keeping dogs amused for extended periods. We found it incredibly simple to load with treats, and unlike other dispensers, it didn’t require excessive effort from the dogs to retrieve their reward.
Interestingly, the dogs seemed to favor the soft, bouncy rubber exterior over the treat-dispensing function. Jean, in particular, was captivated by the ball, burying it and chewing the rubbery surface for hours, much to the chagrin of his companion, Komo.
Gallery of Dogs Interacting with the Kong Rewards Ball
- Nora
- Jean
- Baldo
- Star
- Jambo
From the largest Jambo to the smallest Star, every dog at the shelter engaged with this toy. Not a single tooth mark was observed, and no treats remained inside, indicating its effectiveness as a treat dispenser.
Product Details
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
- Recommended For: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above
Shelter Dog Summary
The dogs perceive the Kong Rewards Ball as a well-rounded toy that merges two of their favorite activities: playing and eating. It’s a durable toy that withstands significant chewing and interactive play, functioning as a simple and effective treat dispenser.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay XL Bone generated the most initial excitement among our dogs upon unwrapping. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived, particularly for Black Nero. While he had a blast for about 30 minutes, playing tug-of-war with its handles, enjoying a good chew, and even retrieving it from the lake, the toy’s soft, pliable rubber texture proved vulnerable. Our fears that it wouldn’t withstand extreme testing were realized quickly.
Gallery of Dogs with the CyunCmay XL Bone
- Jean
- Nora
- Kilo
- Jean
- Pebbles
- Pebbles
- White Nero
Product Details
- Dimensions: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 grams
- Material: TPR, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, with no chemical smell.
- Features: Surface designed to help clean teeth, control plaque, and tartar.
Shelter Dog Summary
Despite being marketed as strong and durable for medium to large dogs, our testing revealed otherwise. While fun for a brief period, this toy is not suitable for dogs who are dedicated chewers. However, it proved to be a popular retrieving toy that kept the dogs engaged in active play. Unfortunately, the short-lived fun left many of our dogs disappointed.
Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
Admittedly, the primary design of the Hetoo toy is for dental cleaning. However, it was met with such a lack of interest from our expert canine reviewers that we were perplexed. Even the squeaker failed to elicit much excitement; Maya, in fact, initially hid from the strange noise emanating from the peculiar red object. Despite her initial apprehension, Maya bravely investigated the toy.
To enhance engagement, we inserted peanut butter into the grooves, which held Maya’s attention for a few minutes before she moved on.
Gallery of Dogs Testing the Hetoo Toy
- Black Nero
- Maya
Product Details
- Material: Natural rubber
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 Grams
Shelter Dog Summary
The Hetoo toy failed to excite our dogs or hold their attention for more than a few minutes. The squeaker, which might be annoying for humans, did not charm our testers. Black Nero and Maya showed the most interest, but even their engagement was very brief.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Kong Wobbler elicited a hilarious reaction from our dogs, initially resembling a bird, plane, or UFO. Its considerable size might have contributed to this confusion. Unlike many other Kong treat toys, this one is made from a hard plastic polymer, not rubber. From a human perspective, the twist-off lid makes filling it with treats straightforward. Our dogs, however, initially struggled to figure it out. They understood treats were inside but couldn’t access them. We soon realized that the Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces, not the pebbly ground of their kennels, and that the treat size needed to be compatible with the dispensing hole.
Gallery of Dogs Interacting with the Kong Wobbler
- Komo
- Kilo
- Climber
- Pebbles
Product Details
- Material: Plastic polymer
- Dimensions: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended For: Dogs weighing 12 kg and above
- Maximum Filling Capacity: 250 grams
Shelter Dog Summary
Once the dogs understood the toy’s function and we humans identified the optimal surface and treat size, the Kong Wobbler became a hit. Its large size makes it difficult for dogs to pick up, potentially reducing the risk of destruction. According to our dogs, it’s indestructible and easy to use. However, owners need to be mindful of the treat size to ensure effective dispensing.
Conclusion: The Shelter Dogs’ Final Verdict
After extensive “meetings” and thorough deliberation (accompanied by much barking and wagging), our canine panel has reached its verdict on these five “indestructible” toys.
| Brand & Item | Features | Flavor | Material | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone, XXL, for Dogs Over 23 kg | Extremely tough. Bristles clean teeth. Perfect for chewers. | Bison | Tough, durable nylon | Click For Price |
| KONG – Rewards Ball – Ultra Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy | Dispenses treats, great for dogs who love to play. | – | Long-lasting rubber | Click For Price |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof. | – | Long-lasting rubber | Click For Price |
