As dog owners and caretakers of numerous shelter dogs, we understand the never-ending quest for the perfect, long-lasting toy. The frustration of buying a supposedly indestructible dog toy, only for it to be reduced to mere fragments within an hour, is a feeling many can relate to. We’ve all hoped that “this one will be the one,” only to be met with disappointment shortly after unwrapping it. It’s a sigh born not of relief, but of sheer desperation as you witness the first signs of a toy’s demise.
At Benafim Dog Shelter, our extended canine family has put hundreds of toys through their paces. While we use the term “we,” it’s truly our dogs who are the experts in discerning which toys stand up to the challenge. They know a thing or two about what makes the Best Dog Toys For Dogs That Chew. With that in mind, we put five highly-touted “indestructible” toys to the ultimate test with our resident power chewers: Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Their feedback, unburdened by diplomacy, offers reliable, honest, and trustworthy insights into what truly works for aggressive chewers.
Real, Honest, and Reliable Reviews from Our Experts – The Benafim Shelter Dogs
Over the course of a week, these five specific 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—endured constant chewing, playing, burying, retrieving from water, and intense scrutiny. Let’s hear what our canine connoisseurs have to say about these options for tough chewers.
Five different dog toys laid out for review, ready to be tested by shelter dogs
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
We invested £19.16 in the XXL Bison-flavored Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, which is specifically marketed for the most powerful chewers and dogs weighing over 23kg. Our nine-year-old Pitt Bull, Nero, a dog we believe to be more intelligent than our entire human team, spent hours meticulously chewing this toy, yet it barely showed a mark. Despite its large size, it’s remarkably light, making it easy for dogs to carry. The toy’s slightly curved design also makes it simple for them to grip with their paws, streamlining the chewing process and enhancing satisfaction for your furry friend looking for the best dog toys for dogs that chew through everything.
Nero, a white Pit Bull, intently chewing a large, curved Nylabone dog toy outdoors
Maya, a three-year-old rescue who previously had no experience with toys, immediately took a liking to the Nylabone. Having been abandoned and terrified of humans, she likely never had toys during her early life. However, this toy didn’t elicit any confusion; Maya was instantly engaged, enjoying a good chew and running around with it, even prompting Max and others to chase her. One of its standout features is how easy it is to clean—if you can manage to pry it away from an eager dog. Furthermore, the Nylabone consistently retains its flavor, providing ongoing appeal. For dog owners who prioritize cleanliness and hate lingering smells, this bone offers a mess-free and odor-free experience, making it a fantastic choice.
Black Nero, a Cane Corso cross known for his exceptionally powerful chewing, can easily shred a huge tree trunk. He also tends to chew through strong fencing materials when anxious or left alone. Impressively, this Nylabone proved to be “Black Nero-proof,” enduring hours of his dedicated chewing with barely a tooth mark. He genuinely enjoyed it, solidifying its status as a top contender for tough chew toys for dogs.
A dark-colored Cane Corso cross, Black Nero, actively chewing a large Nylabone toy with determination
The Details
This toy is bison-flavored throughout (also available in chicken and turkey) to encourage chewing, and it features raised nubs designed to help clean teeth and gums. It is made from safe, non-toxic materials. The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy measures 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm, weighs 485 grams, and is specifically designed for dogs weighing 23 kg and above.
Summary
With paws on heart, every dog at the shelter would wholeheartedly recommend the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy. Their collective advice is clear: if your dog loves to chew, gets easily bored, and needs something truly tasty and durable to sink their teeth into, this is an excellent choice. It consistently delivered on its promise of durability, even against our most determined chewers.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball, priced at £9.99, initially received a less enthusiastic reception from our canine reviewers compared to some other toys. However, this reaction was fleeting. The intelligent concept behind this toy combines play and a treat dispenser, keeping dogs amused for hours. For us humans, inserting treats was effortless, and unlike some other treat dispensers, it didn’t require excessive effort or “brain power” for the dogs to successfully extract their rewards.
Interestingly, our dogs seemed to appreciate the soft, bouncy, rubbery side of the ball more than its treat-dispensing function. Jean, in particular, absolutely adored this toy. He would chew the rubbery side for hours, bury it, and then eagerly rediscover it, much to the dismay of his best friend, Komo, who couldn’t get a look in.
Jean, a brown dog, attempts to chew and destroy the red Kong Rewards Ball, showing its durability
From the massive Jambo to the petite Star, every dog at the shelter engaged with and chewed this toy. We found not a single tooth mark, and no treats were left inside, which is a clear indicator of its effectiveness as a simple treat dispenser and its robust construction, making it one of the best tough chew toys for dogs.
The Details
The Kong Rewards Ball measures 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm, weighs 417 grams, and is designed for dogs weighing 16 kg and above.
Summary
Our dogs found the Kong Rewards Ball to be an excellent all-around toy, skillfully combining two of their favorite activities: play and food. It proved to be a durable and tough toy, capable of withstanding extensive chewing, vigorous bouncing, and interactive play. Its simple yet effective treat-dispensing mechanism further enhanced its appeal, making it a reliable option for active chewers.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone, costing £14.99, generated the most excitement when we first unwrapped it. Sadly, this initial enthusiasm was short-lived once Black Nero got his formidable paws and teeth on it. While he undeniably had immense fun for about 30 minutes—playing tug-of-war using its end handles, enjoying a good chew, and happily fetching it from the lake—the toy’s fate was sealed.
Black Nero, a powerful chewer, joyfully jumps to catch the orange CyunCmay XL bone mid-air
With its soft, rubbery texture and pliable material, we harbored concerns about its ability to withstand the rigorous testing by our dogs, who take their job very seriously. Unfortunately, Nero quickly proved our fears correct. Within just 30 minutes, distinct teeth marks appeared, and the bone was nearly split in two, as clearly depicted in the photos below. This clearly demonstrates that not all toys marketed as “indestructible” live up to the claim, especially for dogs that are aggressive chewers.
Close-up of the orange CyunCmay XL bone showing visible teeth marks and significant damage, almost split in two
The Details
This toy measures 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm and weighs 330 grams. It is made from TPR environmentally friendly material, is free from chemical smells, and is described as safe and non-toxic. Its surface is designed to help clean a dog’s teeth and control plaque and tartar.
Summary
Despite being marketed as strong, durable, and suitable for medium to large dogs, our dogs’ test results for the CyunCmay XL Bone tell a different story. Indestructible? No. Fun for a short while? Yes. If your goal is a chew toy that won’t be demolished in minutes, this is not the right choice for your dog. However, if you’re looking for an enjoyable toy for retrieving and supervised play, rather than prolonged chewing, it was very popular with our dogs, encouraging them to run around and play. Our dogs were visibly disappointed when their fun with this toy was so abruptly cut short.
HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
Admittedly, the HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, priced at £16.32, is primarily designed for dental cleaning. However, it was met with such unenthusiastic faces from our expert reviewers—the dogs—that we were left quite perplexed. Even its squeak failed to excite them. Maya, in fact, initially ran and hid when she heard the strange noise emanating from the unusual-looking red object. Being the brave girl she is, Maya eventually gave it another try, inspecting it for a few moments.
Maya, a medium-sized dog, lies down outdoors inspecting the red Hetoo dental care toy
To attempt to make this “toy” more appealing, we smeared peanut butter into its grooves, hoping to encourage our reviewers to chew it. While this kept Maya interested for a few minutes, she soon wandered off, leaving the toy behind. This toy struggled to capture the attention of even our most active chewers, demonstrating that sometimes, even with added incentives, a toy might not hit the mark for engagement.
The Details
Made from natural rubber, the HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy measures 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm and weighs 417 grams.
Summary
The HETOO toy failed to excite our dogs or keep them entertained for more than a few minutes. And yes, it squeaks—annoyingly so for us humans! Black Nero and Maya were the only dogs who showed any interest whatsoever, and even that was very short-lived. For pet parents seeking effective toys for aggressive chewing dogs uk that also provide dental benefits, this particular option proved to be a less engaging choice based on our extensive testing.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The dogs’ initial reaction to the Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, which we purchased for £15.85, was truly hilarious. Was it a bird, a plane, or perhaps a UFO? This reaction was likely due to its substantial size. Unlike many other Kong treat toys, this one is crafted from a harder plastic polymer rather than rubber. From a human perspective, its twist-off lid makes filling it with treats a breeze. However, our dog experts initially struggled with this wobbly red object. They wanted to play with it (all except our sweet Killo, who was utterly perplexed), and they understood there were treats inside, but couldn’t figure out how to get them out.
Then, the humans at the shelter had an “aha!” moment: the Kong Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces, not the stone-pebbly ground of the kennels, and of course, the treat size needs to be compatible with the dispenser hole. Once these human errors were corrected, the Wobbler became a hit. It’s an excellent example of the best chew toys for tough chewers that combine mental stimulation with physical activity.
Pebbles, a medium-sized brown dog, is focused on the red Kong Wobbler, trying to get treats out
The Details
Made from a durable plastic polymer, the Kong Wobbler measures 13 x 19 cm in diameter, weighs 485 grams, and is designed for dogs weighing 12 kg and above. It has a maximum filling capacity of 250 grams.
Summary
Once our dogs understood how the Kong Wobbler worked, and we humans realized it required a smooth surface and correctly sized treats, this Kong was a tremendous success. Its large size makes it challenging for dogs to pick up in their mouths, which might actually be a benefit as it reduces the chance of them getting their teeth into it and potentially destroying it. Indestructible? According to our dogs, yes. Easy to use? Yes, once the humans learned the optimal treat size for the small dispensing hole, making it one of the best toys for tough chewers dogs and an excellent choice for mental enrichment.
Conclusion – Our Dog’s Verdict
After extensive discussion, numerous seemingly serious meetings, and a considerable amount of barking and happy tail wags (we won’t name the loudest!), our dogs have confirmed their final verdict on these five “indestructible” toys.
Top Picks for Chewers and Players
| Brand & Item | Features | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone | Extremely tough, tiny bristles for teeth cleaning, perfect for chewers. | Tough, durable nylon |
| KONG – Rewards Ball – Ultra Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy | Dispenses treats, great for dogs who love to play and chew. | Long-lasting Kong rubber |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof, excellent for mental stimulation and slow feeding. | Durable plastic polymer |
For dog owners seeking the ultimate durable companion for their power chewers, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out as a true champion. It withstood the most aggressive chewing with minimal signs of wear, making it a stellar choice for dogs that destroy other toys in minutes.
The Kong Rewards Ball and the Kong Wobbler also proved to be highly effective, offering a fantastic combination of durability and interactive mental stimulation. These are ideal for dogs who enjoy both chewing and engaging in problem-solving activities to get their treats.
While the CyunCmay and HETOO toys offered some fleeting entertainment, they ultimately fell short of our “indestructible” expectations for dedicated chewers. Choosing the right toy for your dog’s chewing habits is crucial for their safety and enjoyment. Always observe your dog with new toys and opt for those that match their chewing intensity to ensure lasting fun and prevent potential hazards. Happy chewing!
