Welcoming a new dog into your home, or perhaps you’re already a seasoned dog parent looking for toys that can withstand enthusiastic play? The quest for an “indestructible” dog toy is a common one. Many owners have experienced the disappointment of a beloved toy being destroyed within minutes, leading to a sigh of desperation. We understand this feeling all too well, having tested numerous toys with our own dogs and the extended canine family at Benafim Dog Shelter. This review delves into five popular “indestructible” dog toys, putting them to the ultimate test with our discerning canine experts. See Nero’s adoption profile here.
Putting “Indestructible” to the Test: The Shelter Dogs’ Verdict
To truly assess the durability and appeal of these toys, we subjected five contenders – 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 – to rigorous testing. Our team of experienced chewers, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles, dedicated a week to thoroughly investigating each toy. They chewed, played, buried, retrieved, and even took them for a dip in the water. Here’s their honest, no-holds-barred feedback.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy: A Chewer’s Dream
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, in a Bison flavor and XXL size, is designed for powerful chewers weighing over 23kg. Our 9-year-old Pitt bull, Nero, spent hours gnawing on this toy, leaving barely a mark. Its size is substantial yet manageable for dogs to carry, and the curved design makes it easy for them to grip with their paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
Even Maya, a 3-year-old dog previously unaccustomed to toys, took an immediate liking to the Nylabone. She enjoyed chewing it and enthusiastically ran around with it, engaging other dogs like Max in playful chases. The toy is easy to clean and, crucially, retains its flavor indefinitely, a significant bonus for owners tired of messy, smelly toys.
Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits, including disintegrating even strong fencing material when anxious, also found the Nylabone to be a worthy adversary. He thoroughly enjoyed the toy, and after hours of intense chewing, it remained virtually unscathed. This toy is truly “Black Nero proof” and a clear favorite among our more vigorous chewers.
[Image: Nero testing the Bison-flavored Nylabone.]Gallery of Dogs Enjoying the Nylabone
- Komo
- Nora
- White Nero
Toy Details
- Flavor: Bison (also available in chicken and turkey)
- Features: Raised bristles for dental cleaning, safe, and non-toxic.
- Measurements: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Designed for: Dogs over 23 kg
Summary
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy receives a resounding paws-up recommendation from all our shelter dogs. It’s the ideal choice for dogs who love to chew, get bored easily, and need a tasty, durable outlet for their energy.
Kong Rewards Ball: A Treat-Dispensing Delight
The Kong Rewards Ball initially garnered a mixed reaction, but its appeal quickly grew. This toy cleverly combines playtime with a treat dispenser, offering hours of amusement. Inserting treats was straightforward, and the dogs didn’t have to exert excessive effort to receive their rewards.
Interestingly, the dogs seemed to favor the soft, bouncy rubber side of the toy over the treat-dispensing aspect. Jean, in particular, was enthralled, spending hours chewing and burying the ball before rediscovering it. His companion, Komo, was notably envious of Jean’s enjoyment. Despite its initial mixed reception, no tooth marks were found on the rubber, and all treats were successfully dispensed, highlighting its effectiveness as a simple and engaging treat dispenser.
Gallery of Dogs Engaging with the Kong Rewards Ball
- Nora
- Jean
- Baldo
- Star
- Jambo
Toy Details
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
- Designed for: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above
Summary
The Kong Rewards Ball is an excellent all-around toy, combining the dogs’ love for play and food. It’s a durable toy that withstands vigorous chewing and interactive play, while also serving as an effective treat dispenser.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone: Short-Lived Excitement
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone generated significant initial excitement among the dogs. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived, particularly for Black Nero, who managed to inflict considerable damage within just 30 minutes. Despite its soft, pliable rubber texture and handy handles for tug-of-war, the toy proved unable to withstand the rigorous testing by our canine panel.
The soft rubber material, while initially appealing, was quickly compromised. Within half an hour, significant teeth marks were visible, and the bone was nearly split in two. While the dogs enjoyed playing fetch and tug-of-war with it for a brief period, its lack of durability makes it unsuitable for dogs prone to destructive chewing.
Gallery of Dogs Interacting with the CyunCmay Bone
- Jean
- Nora
- Kilo
- Jean (again)
- Pebbles
- Pebbles (resting)
- White Nero
Toy Details
- Measurements: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 grams
- Material: TPR environmentally friendly, non-toxic.
- Features: Designed to help clean teeth and control plaque.
Summary
Although marketed as strong and durable, the CyunCmay XL Bone did not hold up to our dogs’ testing. While it provided short-lived fun, especially for retrieval games, it is not recommended for persistent chewers. The dogs were disappointed by its quick destruction.
Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy: Lacking Appeal
The Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, primarily designed for dental hygiene, failed to impress our canine testers. Even the squeaking feature, which we hoped would generate some excitement, was met with unenthusiastic responses. Maya, our most sensitive reviewer, initially hid from the strange noise but later cautiously inspected the toy.
To encourage engagement, we filled the grooves with peanut butter. This temporarily held Maya’s interest, but she soon lost focus and wandered off. Black Nero and Maya were the only dogs to show any significant interest, and even that was fleeting. The toy’s design did not capture the dogs’ attention for more than a few minutes.
Gallery of Dogs with the Hetoo Toy
- Black Nero
- Maya
Toy Details
- Material: Natural rubber
- Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
Summary
The Hetoo toy proved to be unengaging for our dogs. It failed to entertain them for extended periods, and the squeak, while annoying to humans, did little to rouse canine interest.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy: A Wobbly Success
The Kong Wobbler elicited a rather amusing initial reaction from the dogs, with some mistaking it for an aerial object. Its substantial size and hard plastic polymer construction differentiate it from other Kong treat toys. For humans, the twist-off lid makes filling with treats simple.
While the dogs initially struggled to figure out how to release the treats, particularly on the uneven surface of their kennels, we discovered that using it on smooth floors and ensuring appropriate treat sizes were key. Once these factors were addressed, the Kong Wobbler became a hit. Kilo, initially perplexed, eventually enjoyed the challenge. The toy’s large size also makes it difficult for dogs to get a destructive grip on it.
Gallery of Dogs Engaging with the Kong Wobbler
- Komo
- Kilo
- Climber
- Pebbles
Toy Details
- Material: Plastic polymer
- Measurements: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Designed for: Dogs weighing 12 kg plus
- Maximum Filling Capacity: 250 grams
Summary
Once the dogs understood the Wobbler’s function and humans optimized its use on a suitable surface with the correct treat size, it became a favorite. Its durability, according to our dogs, is excellent. The larger size minimizes the risk of destruction, making it a successful interactive toy.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Dog Toy Verdict
After extensive testing and much deliberation (and barking!), our shelter dogs have reached a consensus on these 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 |
Highly Recommended:
- For Chewers: Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
- For Players: KONG – Rewards Ball
- For Interactive Fun: KONG Wobbler
For owners seeking durable and engaging toys, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out for its resilience against powerful chewers. The KONG Rewards Ball offers a fantastic blend of play and treat motivation, while the KONG Wobbler provides an entertaining interactive challenge. Remember, even the toughest toys can eventually show wear and tear, so always supervise your dog during playtime.
