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Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, but some pups love to gnaw more than others. If your dog is a super chewer, you'll want to provide them with a collection of the best dog toys for aggressive chewers. There's no such thing as an indestructible dog toy, but some options are tougher than others. Unstuffed Dog Toys
We spoke to veterinarians and dog trainers, then tested and researched dozens of options to find the best dog toys for tough chewers. Our top pick is the Goughnuts .75 Black Ring Pro 50, an extra strong rubber toy that holds up to repeated gnawing without breaking into small or sharp pieces. Our experts say fabric toys also have their place among chew toys. Our top stuffed toy pick, Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose, has two layers of durable fabric and minimal stuffing for less mess.
Whatever toy you give your dog, it's important to supervise them. Being aware of your dog's tendencies is key, says Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a veterinary behaviorist at Insight Animal Behavior Services. Some dogs tend to gobble up what they destroy, a dangerous habit that may result in serious medical emergencies due to intestinal blockage.
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Best overall: Goughnuts .75 Black Ring Pro 50 - See at Amazon
Best plush: GoDog Furballz Plush Squeaker Ball - See at Chewy
Best stuffed: Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose - See at Chewy
Best squeaky ball: Chuckit! Ultra Squeaker Ball - See at Chewy
Best fetch ball: Kong Extreme Ball - See at Chewy
Best ring: Kong Ring - See at Chewy
Best rope: Mammoth Cottonblend 3 Knot Rope Toy - See at Chewy
Best bone-shaped: Pet Qwerks BarkBone - See at Chewy
Best stick: Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew - See at Chewy
Best stuffable: Kong Extreme - See at Chewy
Best for tug: Kong Wubba - See at Chewy
Best disc: Kong Flyer - See at Chewy
Best big ball: Jolly Pets Teaser Ball - See at Chewy
Best interactive: Fable The Puffin Game - See at Fable
Best rubber: Kong Extreme Goodie Bone - See at Chewy
Best for puppies: Kong Puppy Tires - See at Chewy
Best subscription box: Bullymake - See at Bullymake
This ultra-durable ring toy has a handy safety indicator that lets you know when it's time for a replacement.
Durability is vital, says Ivan Petersel, a professional dog trainer and founder of Dog Wizardry. That's even more important when dealing with an aggressive chewer. Strong jaws can easily rip through materials like fabric, but a toy that's too hard can damage your dog's teeth.
Toys made of natural rubber, like the Goughnuts 0.75 Black Ring Pro 50, are some of the best dog toys for aggressive chewers. They are durable yet gentle on a dog's teeth and gums. And since no toy is completely chew-proof, the Goughnuts Ring has a helpful red indicator that lets you know when to take it away from your pup. If you notice the ring's indicator changing from yellow to red, the toy's rubber is wearing thin and it's time for a replacement. This toy is for dogs between 10 and 40 pounds, but the brand also sells toys for different breeds and chew strengths.
This fuzzy Furballz toy has reinforced stitching and two layers of fabric to withstand aggressive-chewer dogs.
"Destuffing a plushy toy is a joyous, satisfying, and perfectly safe activity for some dogs, where a very durable toy would sort of defeat the purpose," says Patrick Flynn, a professional dog trainer and founder of Patrick's Pet Care. However, direct supervision is always necessary. Flynn also cautions against allowing puppies and dogs known to eat toy parts to destroy plushies. These pups could ingest the material and potentially choke or experience a bowel obstruction.
Thankfully, some stuffed toys survive a little longer than others. The Furballz Plush Squeaker Ball is a round purple-colored plush toy with a fuzzy exterior that squeaks when chewed hard. The toy consists of two layers of fabric with a thick underlayer for added durability. Double-stitched, reinforced seams help protect the toy against repeated chewing.
This cute, cuddly plush toy has minimal stuffing, making it an excellent pick for super chewers who love to rip and shred.
Like humans, dogs have individual preferences when it comes to texture. Some dogs prefer stuffed toys, whether to chew on, snuggle, or sink their teeth into them. Puppies, in particular, are often attracted to soft, plush toys, says Petersel.
If your super chewer is stuff-obsessed, we recommend Marvin the Moose. The cuddly stuffed animal has an interior squeaker for more stimulating play. It has an extra layer of tough material and contains less filling than typical stuffed toys, so there's less mess to clean up when your dog eventually rips it to shreds.
This squeaker ball is a great addition to any game with your pup. You can fetch it now for over 20% off at Chewy.
Many dogs can't resist chasing balls, especially one as bouncy and squeaky as the Ultra Squeaker Ball. The high-pitched noise of a squeaker can trigger a dog's prey drive and stimulate natural hunting instincts, says Petersel.
With a textured surface, the rubber ball is easy for both humans and dogs to grip. Its excellent bounce makes for unpredictable movement to challenge dogs. The ball is compatible with the brand's Classic Launcher to help you throw farther. It also floats, making it great for dogs who enjoy playing in the water.
This heavy-duty rubber ball is excellent for playing fetch with super chewer dogs.
The best dog toys for aggressive chewers are, of course, ones they love. Toys that bounce are typically great for fetch because they mimic the movement of prey, keeping your dog engaged, says Petersel. The extremely bouncy Extreme Ball allows dogs to satisfy their innate prey drive. And it's made of ultra-durable rubber that's ideal for fetching or chewing.
As always, keep in mind that dogs are individuals, says Ballantyne. Some might go wild for balls, but others might prefer playing fetch with toys that combine materials like ropes and balls. Additionally, being aware of potential hazards while playing fetch is important. Flynn says throwing a super bouncy ball too hard might lead dogs to injure themselves while trying to catch it.
This sturdy ring toy has unique nubs that may help clean teeth.
The Kong Ring encourages appropriate chewing behavior and keeps chew-focused dogs busy and away from things like sofa cushions and chair legs. The toy's durable rubber will last a while, and its nubs may help clean teeth. "Ridges, nubs, and grooves on a chew toy may help prevent plaque and tartar buildup," says Dr. Bradley Quest, an expert in pet oral health and principal of veterinary services at BSM Partners.
Even with the toughest chew toys for dogs, a super chewer is likely to eventually destroy whatever you offer them, so supervision is crucial, says Ballantyne.
Mammoth's tightly woven cotton rope is ideal for playing tug of war with strong-jawed pups.
The Mammoth rope toy is a durable natural cotton rope toy that's great for interactive play, like tug. The tough, tightly wound fibers held up best among the rope toys we tested.
As with other rope and fabric toys, make sure to closely supervise your aggressive chewer to ensure they're not ingesting any fibers while playing. If you spot your dog munching on rope pieces, Ballantyne recommends making a trade instead of taking the toy away outright. "A lot of dogs will develop resource guarding because things keep getting taken away from them," she says. "A really easy way to prevent this from happening is to make sure they trade up for something like a treat."
This durable nylon bone has an enticing bacon flavor.
Made of tough, durable nylon, the BarkBone is a good choice for dogs that love to chew. The toy's bone-like design and strong bacon flavor are extra enticing.
While nylon toys are sturdy, they're not forever toys. "Whether [a toy] be rubber or some sort of synthetic material, it's likely that if you have a dog who's a really intense chewer, they're going to be able to destroy it," says Ballantyne. So when the bone begins to fray, it's time to replace it.
These wood and hemp toys are a safe alternative to antlers, real bones, and sticks.
While durability is an important concern for aggressive chewers, Ballantyne cautions against offering things like antlers or bones. "There's a really high risk of them breaking their teeth on those, especially if they're a really aggressive chewer," she says. Wood sticks also pose a risk and can get stuck between a dog's teeth or the roof of their mouth, sometimes even damaging the intestinal tract, she adds.
With a natural texture from hemp and wood, Dogwood Calming Chews are a safe alternative to branches and sticks that can splinter. Plus, for dogs who love water play, these toys float.
Dog Blanket This super-chewer version of the Kong Classic has plenty of room for treats.