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Some dogs like to gnaw more than others and go through toys pretty quickly. If your dog is a super chewer, we recommend giving them the best dog toys for aggressive chewers. There's no such thing as an indestructible dog toy, but the most durable toys will hold up longer than many options.
We spoke to veterinarians and dog trainers about dogs who are tough chewers, then researched and tested dozens of toys to make our recommendations. Our top pick is the Kong Extreme Tires toy, an extra tough rubber toy that our tester dogs chose to gnaw on time and again. Experts say fabric toys also have their place among tough 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 chew 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 gobble up whatever they destroy, a dangerous habit that may result in serious medical emergencies due to intestinal blockage.
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Our top picks for the best dog toys for aggressive chewers
Best overall: Kong Extreme Tires - See at Chewy
Best plush: Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose - See at Chewy
Best chew: Petstages Dogwood Calming Chew - See at Chewy
Best interactive: Fable The Puffin Game - See at Chewy
Best ball: Chew King Supreme Rubber Ball - See at Amazon
Best bone: Spot Bam-Bones Plus - See at Chewy
Best for treats: Kong Extreme - See at Chewy
Best for tug: Kong Wubba - See at Chewy
Best rope: Pacific Pups Rescue 6-Knot Knotted Rope Toy - See at Chewy
Best subscription box: Bullymake - See at Bullymake
Best overall
The Kong Extreme Tires toy appeals to dogs in so many ways, whether they use it just for chewing or you fill it with food like peanut butter for an extra tasty treat.
Durability is vital when choosing the best dog toys for aggressive chewers, says Ivan Petersel, a professional dog trainer and founder of Dog Wizardry. Strong jaws can easily rip through materials like fabric, but a toy that's too hard can damage your dog's teeth. The Kong Extreme Tires toy is made of tough natural rubber that's still gentle on a dog's teeth and gums.
Sarah Saril, an Insider Reviews editor, says the Kong Extreme Tires satisfies the dog toy trifecta: It is interesting to her dogs, durable, and fillable with treats. "They gravitate to the interesting shape and little nooks and crannies of this one, even when not filled," she says. "Its shape also bounces well when thrown."
No toy is completely chew-proof, but Saril couldn't even damage the Extreme Tires toy with a knife. It comes in two sizes, small for dogs up to 35 pounds and medium/large for dogs up to 65 pounds.
Best plush
This cute, cuddly plush toy comes in three sizes and 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 plush stuffed toys, whether to chew on, snuggle, or sink their teeth into them. Puppies, in particular, are often attracted to soft, plush toys, Petersel says.
If your super chewer is obsessed with stuffed toys, 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.
Insider Reviews freelance reporter Rachael Schultz introduced Marvin the Moose to her super chewer pup Croc who couldn't destroy it. "The material doesn't shed when she chews," she says. "She likes to carry this toy around and then gnash on him all over. I can tell she finds it a comfort toy — she likes to lay with it too." Not only has the toy survived Croc's powerful chewing, it held up when Schultz ran it through the washer, and she couldn't even pierce it with scissors.
Best chew
With their wood-like texture, these chews are a safe alternative to actual sticks, antlers, and bones.
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. Real 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.
However, your dog might find the next best thing with Petstages Dogwood Calming Chews. Made with composite hemp and wood, they're a safe alternative to branches and sticks that can splinter. Plus, these toys float, which is great for dogs who love water play.
Insider Reviews freelance reporter Christy Caplan gives these chews to her stick-loving basset hound, Herschel. While real sticks will always be his first choice, she says he loves the Dogwood Calming Chews. They are soft enough for safe chewing and made of natural wood, so you will see immediate wear and tear but without dangerous splinters and pieces. For the most aggressive chewers like Herschel, you can expect a stick to last five to six chew sessions.
Best interactive
Fable's The Game is a super durable food-dispensing toy with an adjustable difficulty level.
"Puzzle toys are beneficial for the dogs who like them because they satisfy the innate need to work, have purpose, and solve problems," says Patrick Flynn, a professional dog trainer and founder of Patrick's Pet Care. He adds that puzzle toys can also help slow down eaters who scarf down their food too quickly.
The Puffin Game provides all these benefits, making it one of the best dog puzzle toys overall. It is oval-shaped but with a tapered top. Unscrew the top and bottom pieces and fill it with up to 1.5 cups of dry food or treats. The toy's weighted base keeps it upright while lending itself to a bobbing movement.
Lisa Sabatini, Insider Reviews senior pets editor, sometimes feeds her dog Homer with The Puffin Game. He occasionally bites at it but hasn't damaged it. She also likes the less expensive Kong Wobbler, but Homer has gnawed at the toy's plastic exterior, leaving scrapes that collect grime and are difficult to clean. While Puffin The Game is the most durable treat dispenser we've tested, it's still important to supervise super chewers with this toy because it has separate interior components.
Best ball
This ball is made of super tough rubber that won't fail you.
Many dogs can't resist chasing balls, and the Chew King Supreme is a tough one that stands up to strong jaws. It held up to indoor and outdoor play, and the rubber was impenetrable. Saril says the ball has great bounce and great throw ability. "Since it's a little weighty though, you'll wanna be careful not to hit your pups when throwing," she says.
The textured rubber makes it easy for both humans and dogs to grip. Saril likes that it didn't get slippery during play. "My fetch-loving dogs engage with it very well, and my dog that likes to chew at seams and tear toys enjoys trying to nibble off the texture," Saril says.
Even better, it comes in three sizes, ranging from 2.5 inches to 4 inches in diameter. Ballantyne points out that when you give a large breed dog a small toy, there's a risk that they may swallow it.
Best bone
This bone is uniquely shaped and has different textures to keep dogs interested.
The Spot Bam-Bones is made of nylon and bamboo, a safe choice for dogs who love to chew. The toy's T-shaped ridged design and flavor are also extra enticing. "I've been trying to determine why he likes this chew so much," Caplan says of her dog Herschel. "The ridges must be a nice chewing texture. He does love everything chicken so perhaps it's the flavor of this chew." It's also available in peanut butter and beef flavors.
While hard nylon-only toys tend to be the sturdiest of the bunch, Quest says you should always be able to indent a toy with your fingernail. That's why we chose the Bam-Bones with its softer texture. Keep in mind that this means it will also wear down faster.
Best for treats
This super-chewer version of the Kong Classic has plenty of room for treats like peanut butter and yogurt.
Pet experts frequently recommend toys from Kong, a brand that makes some of the toughest chew toys for dogs. The Extreme has the same design as the Kong Classic many people know and love but with a souped-up, heavy-duty rubber made to withstand the toughest chewers.
The bobble-shaped toy is also a great introductory food puzzle that dogs can enjoy chewing long after emptying it of treats. You can fill it with peanut butter, the best dog treats, kibble, or the brand's Easy Treats. Saril's dogs engage with the Kong whenever it's filled with treats, but she says it's not the best option for other play. Its large size and unusual shape makes it difficult for a dog to hold onto for regular old chewing. For that, we recommend our best overall pick, the Kong Extreme Tires.
When opting for a food toy like a Kong, Petersel says you'll want to be sure the toy is the appropriate size. Make sure the biggest part of the toy can't make it to the back of your dog's mouth. Kong brand has a handy sizing chart to help you choose the right size for your dog.
Best tug toy
The Kong Wubba isn't for constant gnawing, but its ballistic nylon exterior is tough enough for playing tug with a super chewer.
The Wubba isn't a chew toy, but it's a super tough toy for games of tug. It also works well for fetch. The Wubba comprises two balls wrapped in durable ballistic nylon with reinforced stitching for added longevity. One of the balls squeaks, and the other has plenty of bounce. Strips of nylon extend from the bottom.
"We're obsessed with this toy!" Schultz says. The fabric strips are ideal for human holding and gripping during tug, and the weight of the balls makes it easy to throw. Schultz's dog Croc also likes to play with the Wubba solo, grabbing the strips and flailing the toy around or chomping away at the top.
By paying attention to what your dog likes, whether a game of tug or fetch, you can find the right toys to keep them busy and happy, Flynn says. Ultimately, that might mean caring a bit less about whether a toy lasts for months on end. Still, this toy is very durable. "After four weeks with the level of aggressive she plays with this thing (tug, flailing, chewing), any other toy would be way closer to the garbage bin," Schultz says.
Best rope
This giant rope toy made of cotton is a favorite in our reporter's multi-dog household.
The Pacific Pups Rescue Knotted Rope Toy is great for interactive play, and the 42-inch long-size XXL rope is ideal for large dogs and multi-dog play. Saril says the knots are tight and much firmer than other ropes, but it has more give than our runner-up: the Mammoth Cottonblend 3 Knot Dog Rope.
One of her dogs damaged the fibers a bit, but Saril says that may be less of a problem than with other ropes because there are more knots holding it together. If you're looking for a smaller rope, Pacific Pups also makes a 23.5-inch rope, and Mammoth ropes come in a range of smaller sizes.
As with any rope and fabric toy, 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."
Best subscription box
Tough chewers will meet their match with this box that features the sturdiest toys around.
One way to maintain a steady supply of the best dog toys for aggressive chewers is to sign up for a subscription box. The Bullymake box is specifically for dogs who tend to destroy everything as soon as they get their jaws on it.
Each monthly box includes two to three toys and three packages of treats. Examples of toys that might show up at your doorstep include chew, puzzle, and tug toys made from strong materials like nylon, rubber, and rope.
Read more about Bullymake in our guide to the best dog subscription boxes.
What to look for in dog toys for aggressive chewers
When you're shopping for the best dog toys for aggressive chewers, here's what our experts say to keep in mind:
Safety: Above all, a quality toy should be safe. When it comes to the best dog toys for chewing, Quest says you should be able to make an indentation in its material if you press it with your fingernail. If the toy doesn't indent, it's probably too hard and could damage your dog's teeth. Ballantyne recommends toys made of dense rubber for super chewers, but remember that almost anything can break into tiny, potentially ingestible pieces.
Durability: The toughest chew toys should withstand the strength of an aggressive chewer's jaws. However, Flynn says indulging your dog's penchant for ripping apart toys is also OK if you provide direct supervision.
Size: You'll want to look at a toy's sizing guidelines to ensure it's the appropriate size for your dog. If a toy is too small, your dog is at risk of swallowing it, which could create an intestinal blockage and be fatal. If you're unsure a toy is the right size for your dog, your vet can provide guidance.
Materials: Ballantyne recommends materials like rubber when purchasing toys for a super chewer. If you're looking for soft toys, extra-durable options typically have two layers of fabric and reinforced seams. Different dogs may appreciate different textures, so it can be beneficial to mix things up, Petersel says.
How we tested the best dog toys for aggressive chewers
When putting together our picks for the toughest chew toys, we based our selections on a combination of testing and the advice of the veterinarians and professional dog trainers we interviewed. Not only have we watched our dogs interact with these toys over several weeks or even years, we have also put the toys through the wringer ourselves. We stomped on toys meant for tossing and rough play and attempted to puncture toys with kitchen utensils. During all of this, we observed whether any parts of the toy could pose safety issues.
Dog toys for aggressive chewers FAQs
What is the best dog toy for a heavy chewer?
The Kong Extreme line of toys is a good place to start if you're looking for the toughest chew toys for dogs. These durable rubber toys are for strong chewers and lengthy chew sessions. No toy is completely indestructible. However, our experts say rubber toys like those from Kong's Extreme line are typically very durable and safe for a dog's teeth and gums.
What material is best for aggressive chewers?
Ballantyne says toys made of dense rubber are ideal for super chewers. However, she says some dogs get a kick out of ripping up plush toys. If that's the case, you'll need constant supervision while they tear it to shreds.
What do you give an aggressive chewer?
It's essential to provide safe toys that don't pose a risk of ingestion or damage to teeth, but it's also crucial to satisfy your dog's personal preferences, Petersel says. If you give your dog a durable toy that it finds ultra-boring, it might opt to chew inappropriate items. The bottom line is that the perfect chew toy depends on your dog's personality, Ballantyne says. For example, if your dog loves to chew for long periods but tends to ingest pieces of whatever they're gnawing on, giving them an edible chew might be a safer alternative than synthetic toys.
Why does my dog aggressively chew toys?
Inappropriate chewing might be due to boredom or anxiety, but your dog might just think it's fun. It's natural for dogs to chew things, but some dogs are more into chewing than others. Ultimately, aggressive chewing is only a problem if your dog is chewing on things they shouldn't, like furniture and shoes.
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