Welcoming a new dog into your life is an exciting experience, and finding the right toys to keep them entertained and safe is a top priority for many owners. However, the promise of “indestructible” dog toys often leads to disappointment, with many lasting mere minutes in the jaws of an enthusiastic canine. This review delves into five popular “indestructible” dog toys, putting them to the ultimate test with a panel of expert canine reviewers at Benafim Dog Shelter. We paid £76.31 for these toys to review.
Expert Reviews from Benafim Shelter Dogs
Our dedicated team of dog testers, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles, rigorously tested 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. They engaged in chewing, playing, burying, and fetching these toys for a week to provide their honest feedback.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, a Bison-flavored XXL option, is designed for powerful chewers weighing over 23kg. Nero, a 9-year-old Pitt bull, spent hours chewing this toy with minimal impact. Its large size is manageable for dogs to carry, and the curved design offers a comfortable grip. Maya, a younger dog with less toy experience, also took an immediate liking to it, engaging in enthusiastic chewing and play. Even Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits, proved no match for this durable toy, showing minimal signs of wear after extensive chewing.
This toy is easy to clean and, importantly, retains its flavor, making it continuously appealing to dogs. Its non-messy nature is a bonus for owners. The Nylabone features raised ridges to aid in cleaning teeth and gums and is made from safe, non-toxic materials.
Details:
- Measurements: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Designed for: Dogs over 23 kg
- Flavors: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey)
Summary: The shelter dogs unanimously recommend this Nylabone for dogs who love to chew, get bored easily, and need a durable, flavorful toy.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball offers an engaging combination of play and treat dispensing. While initial enthusiasm was moderate, the dogs soon appreciated the toy’s durable, squidgy rubber side and its effectiveness as a treat dispenser. Jean particularly enjoyed this toy, burying it and chewing it for hours. The ball is designed for dogs 16 kg and above and is made from long-lasting Kong rubber.
Details:
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 Grams
- Designed for: Dogs 16 kg and above
Summary: This toy is praised for combining two dog favorites: play and food. It’s a durable option that withstands chewing and interactive play, while also serving as an effective treat dispenser.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
Despite an initial excitement, the CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone proved to be less durable than anticipated. Its soft, rubbery, and pliable texture, while appealing for tug-of-war and fetching, was quickly compromised by aggressive chewers like Black Nero. Within 30 minutes, significant teeth marks were evident, and the toy was nearly split in two. While other dogs enjoyed playing with it briefly, its lack of durability makes it unsuitable for strong chewers.
Details:
- Measurements: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 Grams
- Material: TPR environmentally friendly material
Summary: While fun for short retrieval games, this toy is not recommended for dogs that engage in prolonged chewing due to its lack of durability.
Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
The Hetoo Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, designed primarily for dental hygiene, failed to capture the interest of most of our canine reviewers. Even the squeaky feature did not elicit much excitement, with Maya initially hiding from the noise. Adding peanut butter into the grooves offered temporary engagement, but the dogs quickly lost interest. Black Nero and Maya showed the most interest, but their engagement was very short-lived.
Details:
- Material: Natural rubber
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 Grams
Summary: This toy did not keep the dogs entertained for long and was generally met with indifference, even with the squeaking feature.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Kong Wobbler, a larger treat-dispensing toy made from a hard plastic polymer, initially puzzled the dogs. Its size made it difficult for them to pick up, and they struggled to access the treats. However, once placed on a smooth surface and with correctly sized treats, the dogs found it highly engaging. The Wobbler’s large size makes it less susceptible to destruction by chewing.
Details:
- Material: Plastic polymer
- Measurements: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Designed for: Dogs 12 kg plus
- Capacity: Up to 250 grams of treats
Summary: Once the dogs understood its function and humans realized the importance of a smooth surface and appropriate treat size, the Kong Wobbler proved to be an indestructible and enjoyable interactive toy.
Our Dog’s Verdict on Indestructible Toys
After extensive testing, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy and the Kong Wobbler emerged as the top recommendations for chewers and interactive play, respectively. The Kong Rewards Ball also offers a good balance of play and treat dispensing. While other toys provided temporary amusement, they ultimately fell short of the “indestructible” claim. For owners seeking durable toys, the Nylabone and Kong Wobbler are excellent choices, providing long-lasting entertainment and engagement for their canine companions.
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