Best Dog Toys For Serious Chewers

In response to comment query: My dog has a massive chewing problem. He’s a small dog and anything other than a Kong, he’ll tear it apart and if I don’t give him rawhides to be busy he’ll start munching on my stuff! Help.

Two or more decades ago, rawhide chews were the “only” option for dog owners who are looking for durable chew toy to meet their dog’s oral hygiene requirements and at the same time to keep them mentally stimulated. Fast forward, if you have a dog for at least 7 years or been into any pet stores lately, you know rawhide is so passe—no offense to anyone who still buy them for their dogs.

Rawhides, without a doubt, are tough chew toys. However, I wouldn’t recommend them as substitutes or in addition to your dog’s chew toys inventory. If you must gave your dog rawhide chews, I highly suggest that you give it only if you can supervise closely as pieces of rawhide may break off and choke your dog.

So what chew toys should you get for your dog to keep him happy, entertained, and content without destroying your personal belongings?

Best Dog Toys For Serious Chewers and Easily Bored Dogs

It’s very easy for me to list 20 chew toys that meet the above criteria. For starters, and not to burn a hole in your pocket, I’ll list my favorite 7 that my dogs and clients’ gave their unsolicited endorsements.

When it comes to chew toys, keep in mind that dogs have many preferences for them. Some like them to be interactive or chewable or easily carried, pulled, and tossed around or a combination of two or all the above. In any case, it’s can be a challenge for you to get just one chew toy that meets all his preferences. Usually you’ll have to get at least two but no more than four chew toys to satisfy his ferocious chewing needs. Do replace them as they wear off.

Now this brings us to the durability issue, sad to say this isn’t your dog’s criterion. This is the decision only your pocket can determine. Seriously, durability of the chew toy depends on many factors—quality of the product, handle and usage, dog’s jaw strength, and sharpness of his teeth. Without further ado, here’s the list of dog chew toys in no particular order.

Babble Ball Interactive Toy: Basically this is an interactive dog toy that make animal sounds when touched or it triggered by breath or wind movement. Many of my previous dogs hate toys that give off sounds be it touched or not hence I don’t buy them. But after seeing my recently adopted rambunctious Silkie, Kiki, having a blast with it since day one, my perception changed. Timid dogs may not take any fancy to this toy but given enough time and proper introduction I think this toy will be a hit. Who can believe this little battery-operated toy is such a tough cookie! The only complain I have is the loud noise which can be irritating when you’re on the phone, watching TV, or at work. So I improvise it and made a cushioned pouch to muffled the noise or I’ll just hide it somewhere when I don’t want any distraction!

West Paw Design Zogoflex Hurley: Pastel colored items always give me the impression of frailty and impermanency. So I bought this for Zody, a gentler chewer compared to Kiki. However, when Kiki found out it’s able to bounce, bend, float, roll, and is chewable with no foul taste, it soon became part of her toy inventory. I couldn’t find any faults with this chew toy. It cleans easily. It’s light weight and yet super tough.

Earthdog Hemp Rope Toys: If your dog is a heavy chewer, loves to fetch, tosses items in the air, carries toys whenever he goes, and most importantly enjoy tug-of-war game, then this rope toy is a must have. It is  made from 100% hemp (hypoallergenic) so no worries about your dog chewing some chemical ingredients which names are unpronounceable.

Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Recycle Toys: It’s two different toys here—a ball and a bone—but made of the same materials. For small dogs, get the bone as the ball is just way too big for their mouth to sank upon. It’s durable but not as tough as others that I mentioned here. However, because it has a minty scent, my dogs love to chew the bones. Believe it or not, the minty scent in their mouths lingers for hours after they chewed on them—even their paws smell minty!

Kong Dental Sticks for Dogs: When this Kong stick makes its debut in my local pet stores, I had my doubts of its longevity. First, it lacks appealing factor…at least for me. Secondly, it’s as hard as a piece of rock. Since I can seriously hurt someone (by hitting, of course) I reckon it’ll withstand rough usage especially for compulsive chewers. True enough, one Kong stick lasted 5 months of daily use. This Kong stick serves 3 purposes—as a fetch toy, treat dispenser, and dental cleaning tool (apply dog toothpaste inside the grooves).

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Ball: Made from the same company as the Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Recycle Toys. This bouncy ball is slightly smaller so it’s an ideal chew toy for small dogs. Because of its uneven surface (continents), the ball doesn’t roll as fast and smoothly as regular rounded balls. Having said, those lands wear off after 4 days of chewing leaving only the ocean (blue ball) in turns it emits more minty scent when chewed. Do check the size of the ball periodically as it gets smaller and smaller after months of chewing. Discard the ball if it seems too small as your dog might ingest it.

Classic Kong Chew Toy: Ah, the famous and time-tested Kong ball. As many dog owners would say, “It’s hard not to like this mulit-functional kong ball.”