Bringing a new dog toy home, filled with the hope that it will withstand more than just a few hours of enthusiastic play, is a familiar scenario for many dog owners. However, the reality often leads to disappointment as toys quickly fall apart, leaving both owner and dog disheartened. This is a challenge we understand deeply, not only as dog owners ourselves but also through our extensive experience caring for a multitude of dogs at the Benafim Dog Shelter. We’ve put numerous toys to the test, relying on our most discerning critics – the dogs themselves – to provide honest feedback. This review delves into five toys marketed as “indestructible,” rigorously tested by our shelter dogs to determine which truly live up to their claims.
Real, Honest, and Reliable Reviews from Our Experts – Benafim Shelter Dogs
To assess the durability and appeal of these toys, we selected five distinct products: 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. These toys were subjected to a week of intense scrutiny, involving chewing, playing, burying, and retrieving, under the watchful eyes of our dedicated canine testers, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Here’s their unfiltered verdict.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, particularly the Bison-flavored XXL version, is designed for powerful chewers weighing over 23kg. Our 9-year-old Pitt bill, Nero, spent hours chewing this toy, leaving barely a mark. Its generous size is balanced by its lightness, making it easy for dogs to carry. The curved design and textured surface provide a satisfying grip for paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
*Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy – tested for durability.*
Maya, a 3-year-old rescue dog who was initially timid, took an immediate liking to the Nylabone. Despite her likely lack of prior toy experience, she enthusiastically engaged with it, running around with it in her mouth and prompting playful chases with other dogs.
The toy is exceptionally easy to clean and retains its flavor, a significant advantage for owners tired of messy, smelly toys. Even Black Nero, known for his powerful chewing habits and anxiety-related destructiveness, proved unable to break this Nylabone. After extensive chewing, the toy showed minimal signs of wear, and more importantly, Black Nero seemed thoroughly engaged and content.
*Black Nero, a powerful chewer, struggles to make a dent in the Nylabone.*
All the dogs at the shelter highly recommend the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy. Its durability, engaging flavor, and dental cleaning features make it an excellent choice for dogs who love to chew and need a long-lasting, satisfying outlet for their energy. You can find tough dog toys for aggressive chewers like this one on Amazon.
The Details
- Flavor: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey)
- Features: Raised bristles for cleaning teeth and gums, safe and non-toxic.
- Measurements: 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 is a resounding success among our canine testers. It offers an engaging and durable chewing experience, proving itself a worthy investment for owners of strong chewers.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball combines playtime with a treat-dispensing feature, offering a clever way to keep dogs engaged. While initial enthusiasm was moderate, the dogs soon discovered the joy of interacting with this toy. For human handlers, inserting treats was straightforward, and the dogs found it relatively easy to access the rewards, which is not always the case with similar interactive toys.
*The Kong Rewards Ball offers a fun challenge for dogs.*
Interestingly, the dogs seemed to enjoy the tactile experience of the soft, bouncy rubber side even more than the treat-dispensing aspect. Jean, in particular, became very attached to the ball, spending hours chewing its rubbery surface before burying and rediscovering it.
All the dogs, from the largest to the smallest, engaged with the Kong Rewards Ball. Notably, not a single tooth mark was found on the toy, and the treats were consistently dispensed, indicating its effectiveness as both a durable plaything and an interactive feeder. This toy is a great example of dog toys for heavy duty chewers that also provide mental stimulation.
The Details
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs of 16 kg and above
Summary
The Kong Rewards Ball is a well-rounded toy that appeals to dogs’ dual love for play and food. Its durability against chewing and interactive nature make it a valuable addition to any dog’s toy collection.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone initially generated significant excitement among the dogs due to its pliable, rubbery texture and the handles at each end, which are perfect for games of tug-of-war. Dogs enjoyed fetching it from the lake and engaging in playful tugging.
*The CyunCmay XL Bone’s texture proved inviting but not durable enough.*
However, this excitement was short-lived. Black Nero, within approximately 30 minutes of intense chewing, left significant teeth marks and nearly split the bone in two. Despite its advertised durability and suitability for medium to large dogs, its soft, pliable material proved no match for determined chewers. While the dogs found it fun for a brief period, particularly for retrieval games, it failed the “indestructible” test.
*Damage to the CyunCmay XL Bone after just 30 minutes.*
The Details
- Measurements: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 grams
- Material: TPR environmentally friendly material
- Features: Designed to help clean teeth and control plaque.
Summary
While popular for short-term play and retrieval, the CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone does not withstand prolonged chewing from aggressive chewers. It serves better as a fetch toy than a durable chew toy.
HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
The HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy was designed with dental hygiene in mind, featuring grooves intended to clean a dog’s teeth. However, it failed to capture the sustained interest of our canine testers. Even the squeaky feature, which sometimes excites dogs, elicited a fearful reaction from Maya, who hid when she first heard the noise.
*The HETOO toy focuses on dental cleaning but lacks engagement.*
To encourage interaction, peanut butter was added to the toy’s grooves. This briefly piqued Maya’s interest, but she soon lost focus and abandoned the toy. Black Nero and Maya showed the most engagement, but their interest was fleeting.
The Details
- Material: Natural rubber
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
Summary
The HETOO toy did not prove to be an engaging or durable option for our dogs. Its lack of appeal and short-lived interest make it a less recommended choice compared to other options.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Kong Wobbler presented a humorous challenge for the dogs due to its substantial size and unique wobbling motion. Made from a hard plastic polymer rather than rubber, its twist-off lid makes it easy for humans to fill with treats. Initially, the dogs struggled to figure out how to release the treats, and we realized that its effectiveness is dependent on smooth surfaces and appropriately sized treats that fit through the dispensing hole.
*The Kong Wobbler requires a smooth surface and the right treat size to function optimally.*
Once the dogs understood the toy’s mechanism and it was used on a suitable surface, it became a hit. Its large size makes it difficult for dogs to get their mouths around, which likely contributes to its durability by minimizing direct chewing damage. Our dogs’ verdict? Indestructible and easy to use, once the initial learning curve was overcome. This is a fantastic example of best plush toys for heavy chewers that also incorporates interactive elements.
The Details
- Material: Plastic polymer
- Measurements: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs of 12 kg plus
- Maximum Filling Capacity: 250 grams
Summary
The Kong Wobbler, after initial understanding and correct usage, proved to be a durable and engaging interactive toy. It encourages problem-solving and provides a satisfying challenge for dogs.
Conclusion – Our Dog’s Verdict
After extensive testing and deliberation (and likely a few spirited debates among themselves), our shelter dogs have reached a consensus on the five “indestructible” toys.
| Brand & Item | Features | Flavored | Material | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone, Cleans Teeth, Bison Flavour, XXL, for Dogs Over 23 kg | Extremely tough. Tiny bristles to help clean teeth. Perfect for chewers. | Yes | Tough, durable nylon | Click For Price |
| KONG – Rewards Ball – Ultra Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – For Large Dogs | Dispenses treats, great for dogs who love to play. | Yes | Long lasting Kong rubber | Click For Price |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing – Dog Slow Feeder for Healthy Eating – For Medium/Large Dogs | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof. | Yes | Long lasting Kong rubber | Click For Price |
Based on their enthusiastic play and the minimal damage inflicted, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out as the top recommendation for dedicated chewers. The Kong Rewards Ball and Kong Wobbler are excellent choices for dogs who enjoy interactive play and treat dispensing, offering a good balance of durability and engagement. While the CyunCmay Bone and Hetoo toy provided some temporary amusement, they did not meet the rigorous standards of true indestructibility. For owners seeking durable options, exploring toys for dogs that chew everything is a worthwhile endeavor.
