Indestructible Dog Toys: A Shelter Dog’s Honest Review

Welcoming a new dog into your home is an exciting time, and ensuring they have engaging, durable toys is a crucial part of their happiness and well-being. However, many dog owners know the frustration of purchasing a toy that promises durability, only to see it destroyed within minutes. This is a common challenge, especially for owners of strong chewers. At Benafim Dog Shelter, we’ve taken on the mission to rigorously test a selection of toys marketed as “indestructible” to bring you reliable, honest feedback directly from our resident canine experts. Through extensive chewing, playing, and even burying, our dogs have put these toys to the ultimate test, providing insights that go beyond marketing claims. We’ve evaluated their performance, durability, and overall appeal to help you make informed decisions for your furry friends.

Real, Honest Reviews from Our Canine Experts

To assess the claims of indestructibility, we selected five popular toys: 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 by our diverse pack of dogs, including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Their evaluations, though lacking in human diplomacy, are undoubtedly trustworthy.

Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy

The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, particularly the XXL Bison-flavored version, proved to be a standout performer. This toy is designed for powerful chewers and dogs over 23kg. Nero, a 9-year-old Pitt Bull, spent hours chewing on it with minimal effect on the toy’s integrity. Its large size is manageable for dogs to carry, and the curved design offers an easy grip for their paws, enhancing the chewing experience. Maya, a rescue dog who was initially timid, also took an immediate liking to the Nylabone, finding enjoyment in chewing and carrying it, which even encouraged other dogs to play.

The Nylabone is easy to clean and, importantly, retains its flavor, a significant advantage for owners who dislike messy or smelly toys. Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits, including bending sturdy fencing when anxious, also found this toy to be a match for his power. After hours of chewing, the Nylabone showed barely any tooth marks, confirming its exceptional durability. The toy’s design includes raised bristles to aid in cleaning teeth and gums, and it’s available in various flavors.

• 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 recommendation from our shelter dogs. It’s ideal for dogs who love to chew, get bored easily, and require a tasty, durable option.

Kong Rewards Ball

The Kong Rewards Ball offers a dual function: a durable chew toy and a treat dispenser, designed to keep dogs entertained for extended periods. While initial enthusiasm might wane, the combination of play and reward is a clever concept. We found it easy to insert treats, and it didn’t require excessive effort from the dogs to retrieve them. Our dogs particularly enjoyed the toy’s soft, bouncy texture, often prioritizing chewing and playing over the treat-dispensing function.

Jean demonstrated a particular fondness for this toy, frequently burying it and engaging in hours of chewing. Despite its treat-dispensing capabilities, not a single tooth mark was found on the rubbery side after extensive play, highlighting its toughness. All dogs at the shelter, from large to small, enjoyed playing with and chewing on the Kong Rewards Ball, and the treats inside were dispensed effectively.

• Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
• Weight: 417 grams
• Designed for: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above
• Summary: This toy successfully combines play and food, offering a durable option that withstands significant chewing and interactive play.

CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone

The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone initially generated significant excitement among our canine testers due to its soft, rubbery, and pliable material. It features handles at each end, making it suitable for games of tug-of-war, and dogs enjoyed fetching it, even from water. However, this toy did not live up to its “indestructible” claim. Black Nero managed to inflict noticeable teeth marks and nearly split the bone in two within just 30 minutes of play.

While the toy’s surface is designed to help clean teeth, its soft texture proved to be its downfall against powerful chewers. Despite its short lifespan for aggressive chewers, dogs like Jean and Pebbles enjoyed playing with it for retrieval and light chewing.

• Measurements: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
• Weight: 330 grams
• Material: TPR environmentally friendly material
• Summary: While fun for brief periods of fetching and light chewing, this toy is not suitable for dogs that engage in heavy chewing. Its durability is questionable for powerful chewers.

Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy

The Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, designed primarily for dental cleaning, received a lukewarm reception from our dogs. Even its squeaking feature, intended to add interest, caused some dogs, like Maya, to retreat initially. To encourage engagement, we inserted peanut butter into the grooves, which briefly captured Maya’s attention before she lost interest.

Black Nero and Maya showed the most interest, but their engagement was very short-lived. The toy’s primary purpose of dental cleaning might be achievable with persistent effort, but its entertainment value for the dogs was minimal.

• Material: Natural rubber
• Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
• Weight: 417 Grams
• Summary: This toy failed to captivate our dogs, offering little entertainment value beyond a few minutes. Its squeaker feature proved more annoying than engaging for most.

Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy

The Kong Wobbler presents an interactive challenge for dogs, designed to dispense treats as it wobbles and rolls. Its large size and hard plastic polymer construction distinguish it from other Kong rubber toys. Initially, the dogs found it perplexing, especially on the uneven surfaces of their kennels. We discovered that the Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces and requires treats that are appropriately sized for the dispensing hole.

Once the dogs understood how to interact with it and we optimized the treat size and surface, the Kong Wobbler became a hit. Its substantial size makes it difficult for dogs to pick up and chew, thus preserving its durability. Our shelter dogs confirmed its indestructibility and ease of use once the initial learning curve was overcome.

• Material: Plastic polymer
• Measurements: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
• Weight: 485 grams
• Designed for: Dogs weighing 12 kg plus
• Capacity: Maximum 250 grams of filling
• Summary: Once understood and used on the correct surface, the Kong Wobbler is an effective and durable interactive treat-dispensing toy. Its size deters chewing, contributing to its longevity.

Conclusion: The Dogs Have Spoken

After extensive testing and deliberation (and likely much barking), our canine experts have delivered their verdict on these five “indestructible” dog toys. The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out for its exceptional durability and appeal to avid chewers. The Kong Rewards Ball and Kong Wobbler offer engaging interactive experiences, combining play with treats effectively. While the CyunCmay bone and Hetoo toy provided temporary enjoyment, they ultimately fell short in durability and sustained engagement for our powerful chewers.

When choosing toys for your dog, consider their specific chewing habits and play style. For strong chewers, investing in robust options like the Nylabone or the Kong Wobbler is recommended. For dogs who enjoy interactive play and puzzle-solving, the Kong Rewards Ball is an excellent choice. Always supervise your dog during playtime with new toys to ensure their safety and to monitor the toy’s condition.

Product Comparison