Dogs are known for their playful nature and their tendency to chew on everything. As dog owners, we’ve all experienced the frustration of buying a new toy, only to see it destroyed within minutes. It’s a common dilemma, especially for owners of powerful chewers. To help navigate the market of “indestructible” dog toys, we enlisted the help of our canine experts at Benafim Dog Shelter. These dogs, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles, rigorously tested five popular toys to provide their honest, no-holds-barred feedback. Their expertise, honed through countless hours of chewing, playing, and even burying, offers a unique perspective on what truly stands the test of time and canine destruction.
Meet Our Expert Reviewers
At Benafim Dog Shelter, we have a dedicated team of furry friends who put toys through their paces. Nero, a handsome Pitt Bull with a discerning palate for destruction, leads the charge. Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles also contribute their unique chewing styles and play preferences to our testing process. Their insights, free from human biases, provide an invaluable look at the durability and appeal of various dog toys. We understand that finding the right toy can be a challenge, and our goal is to provide clear, reliable information to help you make the best choice for your dog.
Rigorous Testing: The Toys Under the Microscope
We subjected five highly-touted “indestructible” dog toys to an exhaustive week-long trial: 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 chewed, tossed, buried, retrieved from water, and generally put through the wringer by our shelter dogs. Their reactions ranged from unbridled enthusiasm to utter perplexity, all of which contribute to this comprehensive review.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy: A Chewer’s Dream
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, particularly the XXL Bison flavored version, was a standout hit among our canine testers. Designed for powerful chewers weighing over 23kg, this toy impressively withstood hours of dedicated chewing from Nero, a Pitt Bull known for his strength and intelligence. Even Maya, a rescue dog initially wary of toys, took an immediate liking to its size and satisfying chew. The toy’s curved design makes it easy for dogs to grip with their paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
Durability and Appeal
Black Nero, whose powerful chewing has been known to conquer even sturdy fencing, also found the Nylabone to be a formidable challenge. After extensive chewing, barely a tooth mark was visible. The toy’s flavor is infused throughout, ensuring continued appeal, and its non-messy nature is a significant plus for owners. Its durable nylon construction, combined with raised bristles designed to clean teeth and gums, makes it both a long-lasting and beneficial toy.
Kong Rewards Ball: Play and Treats Combined
The Kong Rewards Ball offers a dual-action appeal: it’s a toy dogs can play with, and it dispenses treats. While some of our dogs, like Jean, were initially more captivated by its soft, bouncy texture and the challenge of burying it, the treat-dispensing mechanism proved effective and easy for humans to load. Jean’s dedication to this toy, involving hours of chewing and re-burying, speaks to its engaging nature. The ball’s durable rubber construction meant that despite vigorous play, no tooth marks were evident.
Interactive Fun
This toy encourages interactive play and mental stimulation as dogs work to retrieve treats. Its design is suitable for a variety of dogs, from the immense Jambo to the small Star, all of whom enjoyed the challenge. The Kong Rewards Ball is a testament to Kong’s reputation for creating durable and engaging toys that combine physical activity with rewarding treats, making it a favorite for dogs who love both play and food.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone: Short-Lived Excitement
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone generated significant initial excitement among the dogs, partly due to its pliable, soft rubbery texture and convenient handles at each end, which made it ideal for tug-of-war. Black Nero, in particular, enjoyed playing fetch with it in the lake and engaging in tug-of-war. However, this excitement was short-lived. The toy’s pliable material, while initially appealing, proved to be no match for powerful chewers. Within 30 minutes, significant teeth marks and a near split were evident, disappointing our persistent testers.
Durability Concerns
Despite being described as strong and durable, this toy did not live up to its “indestructible” claim for our shelter dogs. While it provided temporary fun, especially for retrieving and short chewing sessions, it is not recommended for dogs with strong chewing habits. The surface is designed to help clean teeth, but its lack of longevity significantly detracts from its value for owners seeking a truly durable chew toy.
Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy: Lacking Appeal
The Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, primarily designed for dental cleaning, failed to capture the sustained interest of our canine reviewers. Even the squeaking feature, intended to enhance engagement, was met with less enthusiasm than expected, with Maya even exhibiting a fearful reaction initially. To encourage interaction, peanut butter was added to the grooves, which briefly held Maya’s attention before she lost interest.
Limited Engagement
Only Black Nero and Maya showed consistent, albeit very short-lived, interest in this toy. The lack of sustained engagement suggests that this toy may not be suitable for dogs who require more stimulating or durable play options. While it’s made from natural rubber and designed to clean teeth, its minimal appeal to our test group makes it a less recommended option for general play.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy: A Wobbly Success
The Kong Wobbler presented a unique challenge and then a triumphant success. Its large size and harder plastic polymer construction initially baffled some dogs, including Killo, who seemed perplexed by the wobbly red object. However, once placed on a smooth surface and with the correct treat size used, the dogs quickly understood its purpose. The Wobbler requires dogs to nudge and interact with it to dispense treats, providing both a physical and mental workout.
Engaging and Durable
The larger size of the Kong Wobbler makes it difficult for dogs to get their teeth fully around it, reducing the risk of destruction. Our canine testers deemed it indestructible and easy to use once the initial learning curve was overcome. This toy is a fantastic option for providing extended entertainment, encouraging healthy eating habits, and keeping dogs engaged, proving that some wobbly objects can indeed be a dog’s best friend.
Conclusion: The Shelter Dogs’ Verdict on Indestructible Toys
After extensive testing and numerous “board meetings” (complete with barking and tail wags), our shelter dogs have reached a consensus. For dogs that love to chew, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy is a clear winner, offering unparalleled durability and lasting appeal. For those who enjoy interactive play and the reward of treats, the Kong Rewards Ball and the Kong Wobbler both stand out as excellent choices, providing hours of engaging fun. While some toys like the CyunCmay bone and the Hetoo squeaky toy offered momentary entertainment, they ultimately failed to meet the “indestructible” standard set by our discerning panel. When selecting a toy, consider your dog’s specific chewing habits and play style to ensure you invest in a product that brings lasting joy and durability.
