Every dog owner with an extreme chewer knows the struggle: you bring home a new toy, filled with hope that this will be “the one”—the toy that lasts more than an hour, a day, or even a week. But almost immediately, before you can fully enjoy the sight of your happy dog, you spot the first signs of destruction. It’s a sigh of sheer desperation, not relief, a feeling we know all too well at Dog Care Story, especially when searching for chew toys for heavy chewing dogs.
As dedicated dog owners and caretakers of our extended canine family at Benafim Dog Shelter, we’ve put hundreds of toys through rigorous testing. While we, the human team, facilitate the process, it’s truly our dogs who are the experts. They have an unparalleled understanding of what makes a toy truly durable and engaging. We understand the bold claim of an “indestructible” toy, so we challenged five popular options with some of our most powerful chewers at the shelter, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Their reliable, honest, and sometimes hilariously undiplomatic feedback is compiled here to help you find the best toys for your extreme chewer.
Our Experts’ Honest Reviews: The Benafim Shelter Dogs
A collection of five different "indestructible" dog toys laid out for testing by shelter dogs
We meticulously selected five toys marketed as “indestructible” to test with our enthusiastic canine panel. These included 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. Over a week, these toys endured countless hours of chewing, playful retrieves, wide-eyed inspection, water submersion, and even a few burial attempts. Let’s delve into what our canine experts had to say about their performance.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, a XXL Bison-flavored bone, is designed specifically for powerful chewers and dogs weighing over 23kg. Our seasoned Pitt bull, Nero, known for his intelligence and formidable chewing power, spent hours gnawing on this toy, yet it barely showed a mark. Its generous size, combined with a lightweight feel, makes it easy for larger dogs to carry. The slightly curved design provides an excellent grip for paws, simplifying the chewing process and enhancing satisfaction.
Nero, a handsome white Pitt bull, intently chewing on the large, curved Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
Even Maya, a three-year-old who initially had little experience with toys due to her past abandonment and fear of humans, immediately took to the Nylabone. It sparked an instant interest, providing her with a good chew and encouraging playful runs that even enticed Max to chase her. One of the standout features for human owners is its ease of cleaning and the fact that its flavor never fades. For those who dread mess and lingering smells, this bone is a fantastic choice, leaving no residue or odor. This makes it a top contender when considering indestructible dog toys for large breeds.
Black Nero, a Cane Corso cross, is infamous for his extraordinary chewing strength, capable of dismantling huge tree trunks and even bending strong fencing when anxious. Yet, the Nylabone proved Black Nero-proof. Despite hours of relentless chewing, it showed almost no tooth marks, a testament to its durability. More importantly, Black Nero genuinely loved it, demonstrating that tough toys can also be highly engaging.
The Details
- Flavor: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey), infused throughout to encourage chewing.
- Design: Features raised nubs to help clean teeth and gums.
- Safety: Safe and non-toxic material.
- Measurements: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm.
- Weight: 485 grams.
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 23 kg and above.
Summary
Every dog at the shelter wholeheartedly recommends the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy. If you have an extreme chewer who gets bored easily and needs a truly durable and flavorful toy to sink their teeth into, this is an excellent choice. It proved to be a genuinely resilient option for even the most powerful chewers among our test group.
Kong Rewards Ball
The Kong Rewards Ball initially received a somewhat lukewarm reception from our enthusiastic canine reviewers compared to some other toys. However, this reaction was fleeting. The clever design, combining a bouncy plaything with a treat dispenser, quickly won them over, providing hours of amusement. For us humans, loading treats was remarkably simple, and unlike some other dispensers, the dogs didn’t require excessive mental effort to access their rewards.
Interestingly, our dogs seemed to appreciate the soft, squishy, and bouncy texture of the ball more than its treat-dispensing function. Jean, in particular, absolutely adored this toy, often burying it after hours of dedicated chewing on its rubbery side, only to unearth it again for another play session. His best friend Komo, much to his dismay, barely got a look in.
Jean, a shelter dog, happily chewing on the soft, durable rubber of the Kong Rewards Ball, attempting to access treats
From the massive Jambo to the petite Star, every dog at the shelter engaged with the Kong Rewards Ball. Not a single tooth mark was found on its surface, and unsurprisingly, no treats remained inside for long. This is a clear indicator of both its robust construction and effective, simple treat-dispensing mechanism. It’s a fantastic option for dogs who love interactive play combined with the motivation of food.
The Details
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm.
- Weight: 417 Grams.
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above.
Summary
Our dogs found the Kong Rewards Ball to be an excellent all-around toy, skillfully blending two of their favorite activities: play and food. It’s a durable and tough toy that can withstand extensive chewing, vigorous bouncing, and interactive play, all while offering an effective and straightforward treat-dispensing experience. For owners looking for a robust, engaging, and rewarding toy, this is a solid contender.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone generated immense excitement among our dogs upon unboxing. Sadly, this enthusiasm proved short-lived once Black Nero, our formidable chewer, got his paws and teeth on it. While he undeniably had a blast for about 30 minutes, engaging in tug-of-war with its end handles, enjoying a good chew, and fetching it from the lake, its “indestructible” claim quickly faltered.
Its soft, rubbery texture and pliable material immediately raised concerns about its ability to withstand extreme testing. Our fears were confirmed swiftly by Black Nero. Within just 30 minutes, the results were evident: distinct tooth marks and the toy nearly split in two.
A bright orange CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone, visibly damaged with deep tooth marks and nearly torn in half after only 30 minutes of play
While the toy was popular for retrieval and active play, particularly with its ability to float, it simply couldn’t stand up to serious chewing. Our dogs, who had initially been so excited, were left visibly disappointed when their fun with this particular “indestructible” toy was cut short. For dogs that truly enjoy active chewing, this toy falls short of expectations, highlighting the challenge of finding truly chew toys that dogs can t destroy.
The Details
- Measurements: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm.
- Weight: 330 Grams.
- Material: TPR environmentally friendly material, marketed as having no chemical smell, safe, and non-toxic.
- Design: Surface intended to help clean a dog’s teeth and control plaque and tartar.
Summary
Despite being described as strong, durable, and suitable for medium to large dogs, the CyunCmay toy’s performance with our extreme chewers tells a different story. Indestructible? Decidedly not. Fun for a brief period of active play and fetching? Yes. If your primary goal is a chew toy that won’t be destroyed in minutes, this is not the right choice for your dog. However, for supervised play and retrieval without prolonged chewing, its popularity with our dogs was undeniable, even if it led to short-lived joy.
HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
Admittedly, the HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy is primarily designed for dental cleaning rather than being a pure plaything. However, it was met with such a profound lack of enthusiasm from our expert canine reviewers that we were left genuinely perplexed. Not even its squeak managed to ignite excitement; in fact, Maya initially ran and hid from the strange noise emanating from the peculiar-looking red object. Despite her initial apprehension, Maya, being the brave girl she is, eventually cautiously inspected it for a few moments.
To try and make this “toy” more appealing, we applied peanut butter within its grooves, hoping to encourage our reviewers to engage with it. This strategy managed to keep Maya interested for only a few minutes before she wandered off, abandoning the toy.
Maya, a cautious shelter dog, carefully inspecting the red, squeaky HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
Black Nero and Maya were the only ones who showed any discernible interest, and even that was incredibly brief. For us humans, the incessant squeaking quickly became rather annoying, a sound we could definitely live without! While the toy’s dental claims might hold some merit for less aggressive chewers or those with a specific interest in textured objects, it failed to captivate our extreme chewers or offer lasting entertainment.
The Details
- Material: Made from natural rubber.
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm.
- Weight: 417 Grams.
Summary
The HETOO toy largely failed to excite our dogs or keep them entertained for more than a few minutes. Its primary feature, the squeak, proved more annoying to humans than engaging for dogs, and its appeal even with added incentives was short-lived. For extreme chewers or those seeking an engaging play toy, this option did not meet expectations.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The initial reaction of our dogs to the Kong Wobbler was priceless, a mix of confusion and curiosity. Was it a bird? A plane? A UFO? Its considerable size—it’s quite large—might have contributed to this comical bewilderment. Unlike many other Kong treat toys, which are typically made from rubber, this one is crafted from a harder plastic polymer. From a human perspective, the twist-off lid makes filling it with treats a breeze. Our true experts, the dogs, however, initially struggled with this wobbly enigma. They clearly wanted to play and understood treats were inside, but getting them out proved to be a puzzle.
It was then that we humans realized a critical detail: the Kong Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces, not the stone-pebbled kennel floors where our dogs usually play. We also discovered that the treat size needed to be compatible with the dispenser hole—a definite “Doh!” moment for us.
Pebbles, a shelter dog, intently trying to interact with the large, red Kong Wobbler interactive treat dispensing toy on a smooth surface
Once these adjustments were made, and the dogs grasped the concept, the Kong Wobbler became a huge hit. Its large size, which makes it difficult for dogs to pick up and chew directly, is perhaps a blessing in disguise, reducing the chance of premature destruction. When it comes to being best chew toys for big dogs that also offer mental stimulation, this one truly shines.
The Details
- Material: Made from a durable Plastic polymer.
- Measurements: Diameter 13 x 19 cm.
- Weight: 485 grams.
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 12 kg and above.
- Maximum Filling Capacity: 250 grams.
Summary
Once the initial learning curve was overcome by both dogs and humans (regarding surface and treat size), the Kong Wobbler proved to be an excellent interactive toy. Our dogs confirmed its indestructibility and ease of use, making it a fantastic option for mental stimulation and slow feeding. Its design makes it difficult to destroy, ensuring it lasts for extreme chewers who also benefit from problem-solving challenges and controlled treat dispensing.
The Final Verdict: Finding the Best Toy for Your Extreme Chewer
After extensive deliberation, numerous serious-looking meetings, and a chorus of barks and happy tail wags from our canine panel, the Benafim Shelter dogs have reached their final verdict on these five “indestructible” toys. When it comes to finding the Best Toys For Extreme Chewer Dogs, some clearly outperformed others.
| Brand & Item | Features | Material | Verdict for Extreme Chewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone | Extremely tough, tiny bristles for teeth cleaning, bison flavor infused. | Tough, durable nylon | Highly Recommended: Withstood the most powerful chewers with minimal damage. Great for sustained chewing and dental health. |
| 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 | Recommended: Durable and engaging, especially for interactive play and treat motivation. Survived extreme chewing without damage. |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing – Dog Slow Feeder | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof, promotes slow feeding and mental stimulation. | Hard plastic polymer | Highly Recommended: Excellent for mental stimulation and slow feeding, incredibly durable against chewing due to its design. |
| CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone | Flexible, designed for tug-of-war, claims dental benefits. | TPR environmentally friendly material | Not Recommended for Chewing: Destroyed quickly by extreme chewers. Only suitable for supervised play and retrieval, not prolonged chewing. |
| HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy | Squeaky, grooves for dental cleaning or treat paste. | Natural rubber | Not Recommended: Did not engage extreme chewers and offered minimal entertainment value or durability against dedicated chewing. |
For owners of extreme chewers, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy and the KONG Wobbler emerged as the top contenders, offering impressive durability and engagement. The KONG Rewards Ball also proved to be a resilient option for those seeking a mix of chewing and treat dispensing. These selections demonstrate that while truly “indestructible” might be an elusive claim, there are certainly robust options designed to stand up to the most enthusiastic chewers.
Challenging a powerful chewer with the right toy can provide essential mental and physical stimulation, helping to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Choose wisely from these tested options to keep your extreme chewer happy and engaged for longer. Explore more tips and product reviews to ensure your furry friend always has the safest and most suitable toys!
