For dogs that love to chew, finding toys that can withstand their powerful jaws is essential. Aggressive chewers require durable options that are both safe and engaging, preventing them from destroying toys too quickly and potentially ingesting harmful pieces. This guide explores some of the best dog toys designed for aggressive chewers, incorporating insights from veterinarians and dog trainers to ensure your pup stays happy and safe.
Top Picks for Durable Dog Toys
When selecting toys for dogs with a strong propensity to chew, durability and safety are paramount. The following options have been vetted by experts and tested to ensure they can stand up to even the most enthusiastic chewers.
Best Overall: Kong Extreme Tires
The Kong Extreme Tires toy is a standout choice for aggressive chewers, offering a unique shape with nooks and crannies that dogs find appealing. Made from tough, natural rubber, it’s durable yet gentle on teeth and gums. This toy can be filled with treats like peanut butter, enhancing its appeal and providing mental stimulation. Its robust construction means it can withstand significant chewing, and its unpredictable bounce adds an element of fun during play. Available in two sizes, it’s designed to accommodate different breeds.
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 a double layer of tough fabric and minimal stuffing, reducing mess if your dog manages to rip it open. The internal squeaker adds an extra layer of engagement, and its material is designed to resist shedding even with vigorous chewing. This toy has proven resilient, even holding up to washing machines and attempts to cut it with scissors.
Best Rope: Pacific Pups Rescue 6-Knot Knotted Rope Toy
This extra-large cotton rope toy is perfect for interactive play, especially in multi-dog households. Its tightly knotted design offers greater durability than many other rope toys. While some fiber wear is expected with aggressive chewing, the multiple knots help maintain its integrity. It’s important to supervise dogs during play with rope toys to prevent ingestion of loose fibers. If your dog starts to chew on loose pieces, trading the toy for a treat is a recommended strategy to prevent resource guarding.
Best Chew: Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew
For dogs that love to chew on sticks, the Petstages Dogwood Calming Chews offer a safer alternative. Made from a blend of wood and hemp, these toys mimic the texture of real sticks without the risk of splintering or causing dental or intestinal damage. They are soft enough for safe chewing and float, making them suitable for water play. While they will show wear over time, they provide a durable and enjoyable chewing experience.
Best Interactive: Fable The Puffin Game
The Fable The Puffin Game is an interactive puzzle toy designed to challenge and entertain dogs. It dispenses kibble or treats, satisfying a dog’s natural instinct to work for rewards. The adjustable difficulty level makes it suitable for various dogs, and its weighted base ensures stability during play. While durable, it’s still advisable to supervise aggressive chewers with puzzle toys to prevent damage to internal components.
Best Ball: Chew King Supreme Rubber Ball
For fetch-loving dogs, the Chew King Supreme Rubber Ball offers exceptional durability. Made from tough rubber, it withstands strong jaws and maintains its integrity during vigorous play, both indoors and outdoors. Its textured surface provides good grip for both dogs and owners, and it bounces well for exciting games of fetch. Available in multiple sizes, it’s crucial to select the appropriate size for your dog to prevent accidental swallowing.
Best Bone: Spot Bam-Bones Plus
The Spot Bam-Bones Plus is a T-shaped chew toy made from nylon and bamboo, offering a safe and enticing alternative to real bones. Its ridged design and chicken flavor make it particularly appealing to dogs. While durable, its texture is slightly softer than other hard nylon chews, allowing for safe indentation with a fingernail, a key indicator of a safe toy. It is available in chicken, peanut butter, and beef flavors.
Best for Treats: Kong Extreme
A super-chewer version of the classic Kong, the Kong Extreme is made from a more robust rubber compound designed for the most aggressive chewers. It’s ideal for stuffing with treats like peanut butter, yogurt, or kibble, providing a long-lasting challenge for your dog. While excellent as a treat-dispensing toy, its size and shape may make it less ideal for general chewing compared to the Kong Extreme Tires. Proper sizing is crucial to ensure the toy cannot be swallowed.
Best Tug Toy: Kong Wubba
The Kong Wubba is designed for interactive play, such as tug-of-war and fetch, rather than constant gnawing. Its durable ballistic nylon exterior and reinforced stitching make it tough enough for energetic play sessions. The toy features two squeaky balls and fabric tails, which are easy for owners to grip during tug games. It offers a good balance of durability and playability for dogs that enjoy interactive activities.
Best Subscription Box: Bullymake
For a consistent supply of durable toys, the Bullymake subscription box is an excellent option. Curated specifically for aggressive chewers, each monthly box typically contains two to three toys made from robust materials like nylon, rubber, and rope, along with treats. This service ensures that even the most destructive dogs have access to toys that can withstand their chewing habits.
What to Look For in Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
Selecting the right toy for an aggressive chewer requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety and satisfaction:
- Safety: A key indicator of a safe chew toy is its material. Experts suggest that you should be able to make an indentation in the toy’s material with your fingernail. Toys that are too hard can lead to dental damage. Dense rubber is often recommended, but always be mindful that even durable materials can break into small pieces.
- Durability: The toy must be able to withstand the force of an aggressive chewer’s jaws. However, even with durable toys, supervision is crucial to prevent ingestion of detached parts.
- 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. Consult sizing charts or your veterinarian if you are unsure.
- Materials: Beyond durability, consider the material’s texture and safety. Rubber is a popular choice. For plush toys, look for double-layered fabric and reinforced seams. Offering a variety of textures can also cater to different chewing preferences.
How We Tested and Selected These Toys
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. The testing process involved observing dogs interacting with the toys over extended periods and assessing their resistance to chewing and damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
What is the best dog toy for a heavy chewer?
Toys from the Kong Extreme line, made from tough rubber, are frequently recommended for heavy chewers due to their durability and safety for teeth and gums.
What material is best for aggressive chewers?
Dense rubber is generally considered ideal for aggressive chewers. However, for dogs who enjoy shredding plush toys, extra-durable options with reinforced construction are available, but require close supervision.
What should I give an aggressive chewer?
The best toy balances safety with your dog’s individual preferences. While durability is important, the toy must also be engaging. For dogs that tend to swallow pieces, edible chews designed for consumption might be a safer option.
Why does my dog aggressively chew toys?
Chewing is a natural and enjoyable behavior for dogs. Aggressive chewing is often a sign of enthusiasm for the activity itself. It becomes a concern only when dogs redirect this behavior to inappropriate items. Factors like boredom or anxiety can also contribute to destructive chewing, but for many dogs, it’s simply a pleasurable pastime.
