Bringing a new toy into your dog’s life should be a moment of joy, but for many pet owners, it’s a cycle of hope followed by the familiar sight of destruction. You might buy a toy believing this is the one that will finally withstand your dog’s powerful jaws, only to watch it disintegrate within hours. This frustration is a common experience, one shared by dog owners and the team at Benafim Dog Shelter, who care for a diverse pack of canine companions.
Recognizing this universal challenge, we embarked on a mission to find truly indestructible dog toys. Our “experts” – a panel of discerning dogs including Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles – put five popular toys to the ultimate test. They chewed, they played, they buried, and they generally gave these toys a run for their money. The following are their honest, unvarnished opinions, delivered with the brutal honesty only a dog can provide.
Benafim Shelter Dogs: The Ultimate Toy Testers
For this comprehensive review, we purchased five highly-rated “indestructible” 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 rigorous testing, enduring chewing sessions, energetic play, and even some good old-fashioned burying and retrieval. Here’s the feedback from our furry panel.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy: A Champion of Durability
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, in a Bison flavor and XXL size, is specifically designed for powerful chewers and dogs over 23kg. Nero, a 9-year-old Pitt bull with a reputation for strong chewing, spent hours with this toy, leaving barely a mark. Its substantial size is manageable for dogs, and the curved design makes it easy to grip with their paws, enhancing the chewing experience.
Even Maya, a rescue dog initially hesitant around toys, took an immediate liking to the Nylabone. She enjoyed chewing it and happily engaged in play with other dogs, encouraging them to chase her. A significant advantage is its ease of cleaning and, crucially, its long-lasting flavor, which our dogs found highly appealing. For owners who dislike messy toys, the Nylabone remains odor-free and mess-free.
Black Nero, known for his destructive chewing habits, including bending strong fencing when anxious, found this Nylabone to be a formidable opponent. Despite his powerful efforts and hours of chewing, the toy remained remarkably intact, with only minimal tooth marks. The Nylabone is highly recommended by our shelter dogs for any dog that loves to chew, gets bored easily, and needs a satisfyingly durable and flavorful toy.
- Details: Available in Bison, Chicken, and Turkey flavors. Features raised bristles for dental cleaning. Made from safe, non-toxic nylon.
- Dimensions: 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs over 23 kg
Kong Rewards Ball: Interactive Fun with a Treat Twist
The Kong Rewards Ball initially met with a mixed reaction, but its appeal quickly grew. This toy cleverly combines playtime with a treat-dispensing function, making it an engaging option for dogs. For humans, inserting treats is straightforward, and for the dogs, accessing the treats requires just the right amount of effort.
While the treat dispenser is a clever feature, the dogs seemed to favor the durable, squishy rubber side of the toy. Jean, in particular, was captivated by the Rewards Ball, spending hours chewing it before burying it and retrieving it again. Across the board, from large breeds like Jambo to smaller dogs like Star, all our testers enjoyed playing with and chewing this Kong toy. Notably, not a single tooth mark was visible after extensive chewing, and the treat dispenser proved effective.
- Details: Combines interactive play with treat dispensing. Made from durable Kong rubber.
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 16 kg and above.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone: Short-Lived Excitement
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone generated significant excitement upon unwrapping. Black Nero, our most enthusiastic tester, had a blast with this toy for about 30 minutes. He enjoyed tug-of-war thanks to the handles at each end, had a good chew, and even fetched it from the lake. However, its soft, pliable rubber material proved to be its downfall. Our fears were realized as the toy quickly showed signs of damage. Within half an hour, significant teeth marks and a near split were evident, proving it was not truly indestructible.
Despite its lack of durability for aggressive chewers, dogs like Pebbles and Jean found it to be a fun toy for retrieval and interactive play. However, the short duration of enjoyment left the dogs disappointed.
- Details: Made from environmentally friendly TPR material, free from chemical smells. Designed with a textured surface to help clean teeth and control plaque.
- Dimensions: 32.9 x 12.2 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 330 grams
- Summary: While fun for retrieval and short chewing sessions, this toy is not suitable for dogs who are aggressive chewers.
Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy: Lacking Appeal
The Hetoo Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, designed primarily for dental hygiene, failed to impress our canine testers. Even the squeaky feature, which sometimes excites dogs, elicited little enthusiasm. Maya, our most timid tester, was initially scared by the squeak but later showed some brief interest in inspecting the toy. To boost engagement, we added peanut butter to the grooves, which kept Maya occupied for a few minutes before she lost interest.
Only Black Nero and Maya showed any sustained interest, and even that was short-lived. The Hetoo toy did not hold their attention for long, making it a disappointing addition to our review.
- Details: Made from natural rubber. Features a squeaker.
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm
- Weight: 417 Grams
- Summary: This toy did not capture the dogs’ interest for more than a few minutes and is not recommended for dogs seeking extended entertainment.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy: A Wobbly Success
The Kong Wobbler presented an initially amusing spectacle for the dogs due to its size and unconventional shape. Made from a hard plastic polymer, it differs from other Kong toys. The twist-off lid makes it easy for humans to fill with treats. However, the dogs initially struggled to figure out how to dispense the treats.
We discovered that the Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces, not the rough terrain of the kennels. Additionally, the treat size needs to be compatible with the dispensing hole. Once these factors were adjusted, the dogs thoroughly enjoyed the Wobbler. Its large size also makes it difficult for dogs to get their teeth around, reducing the risk of destruction. According to our dogs, this toy is both indestructible and easy to use, provided the humans understand its specific requirements.
- Details: Made from a plastic polymer. Features a treat-dispensing mechanism. Dishwasher-proof.
- Dimensions: Diameter 13 x 19 cm
- Weight: 485 grams
- Recommended for: Dogs weighing 12 kg and above. Maximum filling capacity: 250 grams.
Conclusion: The Dogs Have Spoken!
After extensive testing and many spirited “discussions” among our canine panel, we have reached a verdict on these five “indestructible” dog toys.
| Brand & Item | Features | Flavor | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, Monster Bison Bone | Extremely tough, cleans teeth, enticing flavor. | Bison | Tough, durable nylon |
| KONG – Rewards Ball – Ultra Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – Large Dogs | Dispenses treats, engaging for play. | N/A | Long-lasting Kong rubber |
| KONG Wobbler – Interactive Dog Toy for Treat Dispensing – Medium/Large Dogs | Can be stuffed, dishwasher proof, interactive treat dispensing. | N/A | Long-lasting Kong rubber |
For the ultimate chewers, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands out. For dogs who love interactive play and treats, both the KONG Rewards Ball and the KONG Wobbler are excellent choices. While the CyunCmay bone and the Hetoo toy offered momentary amusement, they did not meet the “indestructible” standard. Always consider your dog’s chewing habits when selecting a toy to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment.
