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The Kinds of Toys to Definitely Avoid if Your Dog Is Destructive—& 14 Extra Durable Options to Buy Instead
By Megan McCarty,
1 day ago
Dog owners know that even the sweetest pups can cause total destruction. If you often find dog toy stuffing littered around your home, it’s time to upgrade to indestructible options. Durable toys help keep your aggressive chewer entertained and engaged, hopefully not tempted to gnaw on household items.
Tough chewers should always be supervised with toys. Opt for indestructible balls or extra tough chew bones made of robust materials like rubber or nylon; they’ll have the best chance of withstanding your pup’s powerful jaw and sharp teeth. Just think: you’ll stay sane and your dog will stay safe.
What Toys to Avoid if Your Dog Is Destructive, According to Vets
Take a close look at the toy’s material. “Plush, stuffed, or rope toys in general should be avoided for dogs that tend to have destructive behavior—especially for those dogs that like to eat the aftermath,” says Katie Merkatoris, DVM, a Madison, Wisconsin-based licensed veterinarian on JustAnswer Pets.
Regardless of a toy’s material, always supervise your dog when playing with toys. Keep in mind that some dogs will eat toys in their entirety, so make sure their toys aren’t a size that they could swallow whole.
Another no-no for destructive dogs: tennis balls. “Tennis balls can be chewed relatively easily, and as an emergency room doctor, I have seen many dogs with intestinal obstructions from ingesting these,” says Dr. Merkatoris.
Best Toys for Destructive Dogs, According to Vets
Tough chewers need tough er materials, like heavy-duty rubber or nylon. Whether that’s a ball, chewing bone, or fetch toy is highly dependent on your dog. You’ll want to be careful that the toys, no matter their material, aren’t too small for your dog’s mouth though. Small toys have a higher tendency to be swallowed, especially by aggressive chewers.
As always, consult with your primary veterinarian if you have questions or concerns.
Experts in This Article
Katie Merkatoris, DVM: A Madison, Wisconsin-based licensed veterinarian on JustAnswer Pets
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. BarkBox Superchewer is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Aggressive chewers are double the trouble and double the fun, so double down on their indestructible dog toys, too. BarkBox’s SuperChewer is a monthly subscription box specifically made for tough chewers. Each month, an adorably themed box will arrive on your doorstep filled with two extra tough toys and two full-size bags of treats, which you can customize for allergy and diet preferences. If a toy isn’t tough enough for your dog, BarkBox will replace it for free.
Gina Vaynshteyn, our senior commerce director, has been a BarkBox subscriber for over a year, and just recently started getting the Superchewer box for her two 90-pound German Shepherds. “I have been so happy with BarkBox, and now with Superchewer. My dogs destroy *every* toy, no matter how ‘indestructible’ it markets itself as. Ever since I started subscribing to BarkBox, it takes probably a year for my dogs to wear down their toys, and they have really big jaws and teeth—and a lot of energy,” she says.
Material: Rubber and nylon Special features: Each month features a new theme Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Varies
Pros: • Each box is a surprise • Treats are customizable • Boxes are themed Cons: • Toys may pile up after several months
KONG toys are notorious for their toughness. If the standard red version can’t withstand your aggressive chewer though, try the black Extreme version. The Extreme KONG comes in five sizes and its hollow interior can be filled with peanut butter for when you want to reward your good boy or girl. Its unpredictable bounce keeps all breeds of dogs entertained, helping solve boredom, digging, barking, and chewing.
Material: Rubber Special features: Hollow interior for treats Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Five sizes
Pros: • Keeps dogs entertained for an extended time • Allows for rewards with fillings • Dishwasher safe
Tug-of-war is no fun for anyone if your dog wins every time. For intense games—ones that don’t end in ripped apart toys—try Goughnut’s pull toy , which is made of extra tough rubber. Its figure-eight shape allows your dog to bite one end while you grip the other. This separation is key so that your dog doesn’t (accidentally!) bite your hand while playing.
Material: Rubber Special features: Figure-eight shape Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Two sizes
Pros: • Made of extremely tough rubber • Design decreases chance of accidental nips while playing • Lifetime replacement guarantee
Go fetch! If your dog has chewed through a tennis ball or two, try these durable rubber balls instead. They’re extra bouncy and buoyant, with a thick rubber core and textured surface. While they’re extra tough to withstand light chewing, they aren’t intended as chew toys.
Material: Rubber Special features: Thick rubber core Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Five sizes
Pros: • Ultra thick rubber core • Produces a high bounce • Floats in water
Cons: • Not meant to be a chew toy
Nylabone Power Chew Original Flavored Dog Chew Toy
Want to give your dog something to chew on? Your best bet is a Nylabone Power Chew . The durable design entertains extreme chewers, satisfying a natural urge while discouraging them from chewing on your shoes (or whatever else you find gnawed up). Another benefit of the Nylabone: as they chew, it helps control plaque and tartar, cleaning their teeth and freshening their breath.
Material: Nylon Special features: Freshens breath as dog chews Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Five sizes
Pros: • Satisfies urge to chew • Helps control plaque and tartar • Long-lasting
Motivate your dog to run off some energy with this flying disc . It’s lightweight and easy to throw long distances, but tough and durable, even for destructive dogs. It also doubles as a travel food or water bowl, and since it floats, is great for beach days too. While it’s the toughest flying disc on the market, keep it out of reach when not actively playing with it, as it’s not intended for chewing.
Material: Plastic Special features: Doubles as a travel food or water bowl Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Two sizes
Pros: • Easy to throw long distances • Encourages exercise • Dishwasher safe
A tough rubber toy may not satisfy your dog’s impulse to thrash, but this floppy knot toy from KONG will. It has minimal stuffing, and is instead stuffed with a knotted rope and a variety of textures and squeakers. Your pup can use it for fetch or solo play, throwing around its floppy design, without leaving behind a trail of stuffing.
Material: Polyester Special features: Minimal stuffing, many squeakers Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Two sizes Pros: • Minimal stuffing • Enticing floppy design • Squeakers provide noise stimulation
Cons: • Polyester will likely rip faster than rubber toys
As adorable as puppy breath can be, that charm can wear off as your dog ages. That’s where this Petopia pineapple chew toy comes in handy. Not only is it durable for aggressive chewers, but it helps tight tartar and plaque buildup as your dog plays with it. The interior can be coated in peanut butter or stuffed with kibble, keeping them extra engaged. If, somehow, your dog damages the pineapple within 101 days, Petopia will replace it for free.
Material: Rubber Special features: Fight tartar and plaque buildup Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Three sizes Pros: • Cleans dogs’ teeth as they chew • Can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter • Doesn’t use any paint or glue
Cons: • Even the largest size may be too small for big dogs
Indestructible dog toys often come with a higher price tag, and for good reason. Premium materials are naturally pricier, but a good bargain can still be found. Take this wishbone design , for instance. It’s less than $9 and is made of durable rubber that can withstand playing fetch and tug of war. The brand also offers 100 percent guarantee—or your money back.
Material: Rubber Special features: Two textures Life stage: All ages Dimensions: 10.2” long x 6” wide
Pros: • Affordable • Textured surface • Has a firm handle
For the fetch-loving dog, pick up a Bark Slingin’ Air Rose . The stem is made of nylon and the rose ball is made of foam, so depending on your dog’s tenacity, it’s safe to chew on but may not be entirely indestructible. Fingers crossed a few (dozen) rounds of fetch will tire your dog out enough to eliminate destructive activities at home.
Material: Foam, nylon Special features: Two toys in one Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Varies, two sizes
Pros: • Easy for dogs to hold • All parts safe to chew • Encourages exercise
Pick your fighter: bacon, chicken, or peanut. This Benebone wishbone is made of just two ingredients—nylon and real flavoring—so your chew-happy dog will love going to town on this toy. What’s not to like? It’s paw-friendly shape is easy to hold, it tastes almost as good as table scraps, and it stands up to heavy chewing.
Material: Nylon Special features: Authentic flavoring Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Four sizes Pros: • Topped with real flavor • Paw-friendly grip Cons: • Generally lasts about a month
When you simply can’t throw another ball for your fetch fanatic, try the Tree Tugger . Sit back and relax as your pup jumps, chases after, and pulls at the tugger, which stimulates a game of tug-of-war. The bouncy bungie cord is made of a ballistic nylon that even the toughest of tough chewers will have a hard time destroying. The cord attaches to an included ball with a hollow center, though you can tie any favorite ball or toy to it, and it’s especially great for heavy chewers since you can adjust the height so your dog can’t constantly gnaw at it.
Material: Nylon Special features: Interactive bungee material Life stage: All ages Dimensions: Adjustable up to eight feet
Pros: • Great for alone play • Adjustable height • Can be used with any ball or toy Cons: • Needs to be hand washed
Keeping your dog entertained and enriched takes a toy like the Qwizl , a puzzle chew toy that hides a treat that can be discovered during a play session. It was built for tough chewers, keeping dogs occupied and motivated for prolonged periods. It’s also lightweight enough for games of fetch, and for pool-loving pooches, it’s designed to float too.
Material: Plastic Special features: Able to hide treats inside Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Two sizes
Pros: • Keeps dogs engaged • Dishwasher safe • Can be returned to brand to be recycled
Soft materials generally aren’t a good match for destructive dogs. Tuffy toys are the, well , toughest you’ll find on the market though. They feature four layers of material that are cross-stitched multiple times, and the squeakers inside are sewn inside protective pouches for your dog’s safety too. Note that Tuffy toys are intended for interactive play, not chewing.
Material: Polyester Special features: Four layers of fabric Life stage: Adult Dimensions: Varies
Pros: • Multiple layers of fabric • Floats in water • Available in a variety of animal designs
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