Dogs that love to chew can quickly destroy toys, making it essential to find durable options that are both safe and engaging. This guide explores some of the best dog toys for aggressive chewers, with recommendations from veterinarians and dog trainers, focusing on materials, durability, and safety.
Our Top Picks for the Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
When selecting toys for dogs with a strong chewing habit, durability and safety are paramount. Here are our top recommendations:
Best Overall: Kong Extreme Tires
The Kong Extreme Tires toy is an exceptional choice for aggressive chewers, offering a balance of durability and appeal. Made from extra-tough natural rubber, it’s designed to withstand intense chewing while remaining gentle on a dog’s teeth and gums. Its unique shape and texture, with nooks and crannies, make it engaging even without treats. This toy can also be filled with treats like peanut butter, adding an extra layer of enjoyment and mental stimulation for your dog. The Kong Extreme Tires comes in two sizes, small and medium/large, to accommodate different breeds and weights. It’s a durable option that your dog will likely return to repeatedly.
Best Plush: Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose
For dogs that prefer softer toys, the Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose offers a durable plush option. It features two layers of tough fabric and minimal stuffing, reducing mess if your dog manages to tear it apart. This toy includes an interior squeaker for added excitement and is designed to be a comfort toy as well as a chew toy. Its material doesn’t shed easily, and it has proven to be remarkably resilient, even surviving washes and attempts to pierce it with scissors. This cuddly toy provides comfort and chewing satisfaction.
Best Rope: Pacific Pups Rescue 6-Knot Knotted Rope Toy
This substantial rope toy is made from thick cotton and is ideal for interactive play, especially in households with multiple dogs. The knots are tight and firm, providing a good chewing texture. While aggressive chewers may show some wear on the fibers over time, the multiple knots help maintain its integrity. It’s a great option for games of tug-of-war and fetch, promoting exercise and bonding. This rope toy is excellent for interactive play and is quite durable.
Best Chew: Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew
Mimicking the texture of natural sticks but with enhanced safety, the Petstages Dogwood Calming Chews are made from a composite of hemp and wood. They offer a safe alternative to real sticks, which can splinter or cause damage. These chew toys are designed to withstand chewing and are even buoyant, making them suitable for dogs who enjoy water play. While they will show wear, they resist splintering, unlike natural wood. These chews provide a safe way for dogs to satisfy their urge to chew on stick-like items.
Best Interactive: Fable The Puffin Game
Puzzle toys are excellent for engaging a dog’s mind and satisfying their natural need to solve problems. Fable’s The Puffin Game is a highly durable food-dispensing toy with an adjustable difficulty level. It can hold up to 1.5 cups of kibble or treats, encouraging slower eating and providing mental stimulation. Its weighted base keeps it stable while allowing for interactive play. This toy is a great way to keep an intelligent dog occupied and challenged.
Best Ball: Chew King Supreme Rubber Ball
For dogs that love to fetch and chew, the Chew King Supreme Rubber Ball is a robust choice. Made from super-tough rubber, it’s designed to withstand strong jaws. Its textured surface provides good grip for both dogs and owners, and it boasts excellent bounce for extended play sessions. It’s important to select the correct size to prevent swallowing hazards. This ball is built for vigorous play and is resistant to damage.
Best Bone: Spot Bam-Bones Plus
The Spot Bam-Bones Plus offers a unique T-shaped design with various textures and a enticing chicken flavor (also available in peanut butter and beef). Made from nylon and bamboo, it’s a safe alternative to real bones or antlers, which can be too hard and potentially damage teeth. The textured surface provides a satisfying chewing experience. This bone-shaped chew is designed to be both appealing and safe for aggressive chewers.
Best for Treats: Kong Extreme
The Kong Extreme is a super-chewer version of the classic Kong toy, made from heavy-duty rubber. It’s ideal for filling with treats, peanut butter, or yogurt, turning it into an engaging food puzzle. While it’s excellent for treat dispensing, its unique shape can make it less ideal for general chewing compared to the Kong Extreme Tires. Always ensure the toy is the appropriate size for your dog to prevent choking hazards. This toy is a staple for treat-dispensing and keeping dogs occupied.
Best Tug Toy: Kong Wubba
The Kong Wubba is designed for interactive play like tug-of-war and fetch, rather than prolonged chewing. Its exterior is made of durable ballistic nylon with reinforced stitching, and it features two balls—one that squeaks and one with a good bounce. The extended fabric strips are easy to grip for playing tug. While not intended for aggressive chewing, it is remarkably durable for its intended use. This toy is fantastic for interactive games and resisting wear during tug sessions.
Best Subscription Box: Bullymake
For owners of persistent chewers, a subscription box like Bullymake can be a convenient solution. Each monthly box contains two to three durable toys made from materials like nylon, rubber, and rope, along with treats. These toys are specifically curated to withstand aggressive chewing, ensuring a steady supply of engaging and tough options for your dog. Bullymake delivers a curated selection of tough toys designed for aggressive chewers.
What to Look for in Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
When choosing toys for dogs that chew aggressively, consider these factors:
- Safety: The material should be safe and not easily broken into small, ingestible pieces. Experts recommend that a toy should be soft enough to be indented slightly with a fingernail. Toys that are too hard can damage a dog’s teeth.
- Durability: The toy should be able to withstand significant chewing pressure. However, direct supervision is always recommended, as even the toughest toys can eventually be destroyed.
- Size: Ensure the toy is appropriately sized for your dog. A toy that is too small can be a choking hazard or lead to intestinal blockages if swallowed.
- Materials: Dense rubber is often recommended for its durability and safety. For softer options, look for toys with multiple layers of fabric and reinforced seams. Different dogs may have different texture preferences, so offering a variety can be beneficial.
How We Tested
Our recommendations are based on a combination of expert advice from veterinarians and dog trainers, along with hands-on testing. We evaluated toys for their durability, safety, and appeal to dogs with aggressive chewing tendencies.
Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers FAQs
What is the best dog toy for a heavy chewer?
Toys from the Kong Extreme line, made of tough rubber, are highly recommended for heavy chewers due to their durability and safety for teeth and gums.
What material is best for aggressive chewers?
Dense rubber is often ideal. For plush toys, look for those with reinforced seams and multiple fabric layers, always supervising play to prevent ingestion of stuffing or fabric.
What do you give an aggressive chewer?
Balance safety with your dog’s preferences. Toys should be durable but also engaging. If your dog tends to swallow pieces, consider edible chews designed for safe consumption.
Why does my dog aggressively chew toys?
Chewing is a natural and pleasurable behavior for dogs. Aggressive chewing typically becomes a concern only when it’s directed towards inappropriate items like furniture. Boredom or anxiety can sometimes contribute to destructive chewing.
