Ultimate Guide: Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?

Sounds like you have a Super Chewer.

You're not alone. Per Sniffspot's proprietary research into dog chewing behavior, 47% of dog guardians report having a dog that is an aggressive chewer. And only 56% of dog parents with tough chewers have been satisfied with their dogs chew toys while 44% have not found them up to snuff.

We have you covered!

Here’s a roundup of some of the best dog toy products for aggressive chewers. One of these tough, durable chew recommendations is sure to not only make your pup happy—but also actually stand up to their strong teeth. Win-win because providing appropriate chewing outlets can help prevent household destruction!

Why is chewing important for dogs?

Dogs evolved in an open world. They could act naturally without unfair repercussions. Ancient canines had space to run, interesting scents to sniff, food to scavenge for, and opportunities to move their bodies freely.

In today’s human society, though, these things are at a premium for our domestic dog companions. While it’s important our pets can fit into our modern lives, it’s also important we meet their needs!

Enter canine enrichment: A movement to provide them with the kinds of experiences they evolved for. Proper mental and physical stimulation can be an important way to prevent unwanted behaviors and improve our pets’ overall quality of life.

One type of this mental and physical stimulation? Chewing! Natural behaviors like sniffing and chewing can help our dogs relieve anxiety and feel more comfortable with their surroundings. Chewing is also a way to shake off stress after the fact—plus it can give your dog an appropriate outlet when they’re feeling antsy and you’re unable to interact with them. Heavy super chewers in particular benefit from being able to engage in this instinct.

You can read more about natural canine instincts and behaviors in our comprehensive guide to canine enrichment.

What kind of chews are safe for dogs to use?

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about what dog chews are and aren’t safe for your pet. We wish there was a simple, straightforward answer—but the truth is that it depends on your individual dog.

Some canines are able to chew just about anything with no problems. Others are only able to have the softest possible toys to avoid cracking teeth, pulling off big chunks, or experiencing digestive problems.

According to Sniffspot's survey, 87% of dog guardians with aggressive chewers have bought toys specifically designed for aggressive chewers.

Risks of poor quality chews and toys

30% of dog guardians with aggressive chewers reported to Sniffspot's survey that have had a dog experience a health issue, like a fractured tooth or upset stomach, from a dog chew.

• Per our proprietary research, the most common breeds to report health issues from dog chews are:
  
  
  
  • Border Collie (44% reported)
  • Australian Shepherd (38% reported)
  
  
  
  
• And the least common breeds to report health issues from dog chews are:
  
  
  
  • Golden Retriever (28% reported)
  • Mixed breed (28% reported)
  • Pitbull / American Staffordshire Terrier (26% reported)
  
  
  
  

Teeth fractures and other dental problems

When you give your dog a toy, bone, antler, or other chew that’s too hard for their chewing style, you run the risk of them cracking a tooth. These fractures can range from minor to severe and might even require complete extraction (which is a costly process for you and a painful, stressful one for your pup who's used to having all their teeth).

Super chewers might be more prone to tooth fractures because they exert so much force when chomping on their pet products. This is something to keep in mind while looking at toys for dogs!

Digestive upset

Some dogs seem to naturally know not to swallow anything that isn’t food. They’ll spit out stuffing or rubber chew toy remnants without issue. Unfortunately, though, most dogs don’t fit into this category—vets across the country deal with thousands of foreign body removal surgeries each year. Consuming part of a toy or chew could result in minor digestive discomfort while the object passes or more serious complications like a full obstruction.

Here are some general things to look out for in the chew products you buy:

First things first: Read customer reviews from fellow dog parents!

This word-of-mouth input can be invaluable in determining whether a certain pet product will be a hit with your own pup or not. Prioritize the most recent customer reviews when scrolling through to get the most updated information.

Tough chewer toy sizes

The right size chew will depend on your individual dog. In general, you want your dog's toys to be small enough that they can pick them up and enjoy playing with them but large enough that they aren’t able to swallow them (either by accident or on purpose).

Powerful, tough chewers can break larger toys into smaller parts, which is why it's important to consider the material as well. Opt for heavy duty options when in doubt.

More on that next!

Aggressive chewer toy materials

Edible chews for tough chewers

If you’re going to give your dog an edible chew—something like a bully stick or treat designed to be completely consumed—look for natural, single-ingredient options as much as possible. Avoid rawhides or heavily processed chews with lots of additives. As a bonus, these natural chews can often help clean your dog's teeth alongside your regular brushing routine!

Inedible chew toy materials

If you’re looking for an inedible chew toy, a range of materials work for different dogs. Still look for natural varieties and aim for durable, sturdy materials that won’t fracture or break easily. (Avoid simple plastic objects or soft, flimsy fabric that sharp teeth can easily puncture. Soft rubber is out, too.)

Durable rubber (like thermoplastic rubber), dense nylon, thick rope, and similar options can be good ideas depending on your pup. Many pets especially appreciate a textured surface that makes chewing more interesting.

Some chew toy material floats in water while many others will sink quickly. It's up to you how much this matters for your individual dog. (Most pups probably won't do much chewing while near a pool or pond, after all.)

To squeak or not to squeak?

Squeakers can be a bonus or a challenge for some dogs. Many pets find the high-pitched squeaks incredibly fun! Other pups become extra fixated on toys that have squeakers inside, which makes them more likely to rip the product apart.

In summary, materials to look for:

• Durable rubber (thermoplastic rubber, other dense rubber)
• Durable nylon (there are different formulations of nylon, sometimes just a ballistic nylon exterior is enough)
• Thick rope designed not to fray
• Natural materials
• Single-ingredient chews whenever possible
• Squeakers if your dog enjoys and is safe with them

Super chewer toy shapes

The shape of your dog’s chews and toys can affect not only their interest and excitement about them, but also their risks of swallowing them whole or breaking pieces off.

• Ring-shaped toys are a common option for intense chewers, since it’s harder for dogs to tear off small parts. Depending on the sizes, many of them are also great for games of tug!
• Bone- and stick-shaped toys are popular because many dogs enjoy that particular shape and are able to “hold” it between their paws. There's more wiggle room for different sizes due to the shape.
• Balls are a great choice for fetch, but it’s important to be extra thoughtful about how small or large they are. Many dogs accidentally swallow too-little options while playing fetch, especially as they get slobbery (and slippery). Some aggressive chewers also enjoy nibbling on ball toys on their own.
• Frisbees are also a good fetch option and, depending on material, can be a great choice for dogs who love to chew and consume their toys since they’re usually too large to entirely fit in a dog’s mouth.

Here’s what to pay attention to in your individual pet:

Age and dental health

Age often correlates with dental health and teeth strength. (Know there’s always variability within individuals, though.)

Teething puppies require ample things to chew on, but it’s important to provide softer options that won’t cause pain or be too difficult for them to maneuver. Young adult dogs can generally handle the hardest, most durable chews. Elderly dogs often need softer options.

Chewing style

Some dogs are gentle nibblers. Others go hard on their chews and toys, tearing off pieces and destroying things quickly. (If you’re reading this article, you’re probably here because you have the latter type of companion.)

Nibblers can be trusted with a wider variety of chew toy sizes and materials, since it’s unlikely they’ll break pieces off (or press hard enough to fracture a tooth.)

Digestive system strength

Some dogs have very sensitive stomachs or chronic digestive conditions. It’s extra important to limit the materials they chew on—both for edible treats and inedible toys—since the potential fallout from them ingesting something they shouldn’t is higher.

That’s not to say we should be relaxed about allowing otherwise healthy dogs to consume anything they want! Simply that some dogs require even more caution. (We know. Being a responsible dog parent is a lot of work.)

Should you have separate chew toys and interactive toys?

Many trainers recommend having designated toys that you store out of your dog’s reach and only take out when you’re going to play an exciting game together. This has a few benefits, like:

• Lengthening the life of toys since your dog can’t play with them 24/7 (or while unsupervised)
• Creating more value in the special toys that are only used for play with you
• Preventing your dog from choking on or swallowing pieces of more fragile toys

Many owners do like giving their dogs the option to play with chews or toys when interactive games aren’t possible, though—like during the work day or while making dinner. One solution here is to divide toys up into two categories based on your pup’s interest level, chewing style, and product durability. One group will always be available for your dog to channel arousal into and chew on their own. The other will be kept away and only brought out for play time with you.

What’s more: Rotating your dog’s toy selection can keep them from getting bored! You might also consider changing out the toys that are available every couple of weeks to keep things interesting.

The best dog toys for aggressive chewers

No toy is completely indestructible. That said, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular products based on online reviews from fellow dog owners with aggressive chewers. Take a look below!

Tough interactive toys for games like tug

• Goughnuts Tug: Goughnuts are often cited as some of the most indestructible dog toys available. This large double ring is specifically designed for tug-of-war with strong, intense dogs. The manufacturers boast that the dense rubber material is basically impossible to destroy.
• Otterly Pets Puppy Dog Pet Rope Toys: Rope can be a hit-or-miss material for intense chewers, and we recommend these most for interactive games where you’re clearly supervising so the ends can’t fray and be consumed. Otterly Pets says these toys are made of nontoxic cotton and can hold up to aggressive chewers.
• West Paw Zogoflex Bumi Dog Tug Toy: West Paw is known for many tough, durable dog toy options. They note that the Bumi is designed for more gentle chewers due to its flexibility during tug (it can stretch out to almost a straight line) but many owners have found the material to be effective for their stronger dogs’ jaws so long as they don’t allow free chewing. It's made of thermoplastic rubber for durability.

Durable interactive toys for dogs who like to play fetch

• KONG Extreme Dog Toy Rubber Ball: Kong is another brand known for creating strong toys that can stand up to many dogs’ jaws. Of this heavy-duty rubber ball, they say “the natural KONG Extreme black rubber formula is created to be very durable for power chewing dogs” and “this toy is puncture resistant for continued safe play.” It's perfect for extreme chewers. The bouncy rubber construction makes for fun, fast-paced games!
• Chew King Fetch Balls Durable Natural Dog Toy Ball: Chew King boasts that these balls’ “durable, natural, no chemical smell rubber retains shape, bounces well, and stands up to tough chew. Safety air vent protects your pup, keeps happy tongues from getting stuck.” You can also store treats inside the dense rubber for your dog to work out as a type of food enrichment instead of just interactive fetch, or even put soft food like peanut butter inside the small opening.
• IMK9 Dog Frisbee Indestructible Disc Toy: IMK9 has two main claims about this tough dog frisbee. The first is that “hard plastic Frisbees can shatter or splinter, and sharp shards of plastic could injure your beloved pooch. Our frisbee is different—it’s made of soft natural rubber. It will never break up into sharp pieces that could hurt your dog.” They also offer a replacement guarantee: “If your dog destroys this frisbee, then we’ll refund your money or send you a new one for free.” We usually don't recommend soft rubber for heavy chewers, but IMK9 knows what they're doing here with their flexible rubber disc!
• Kong Flyer: Kong highlights that "the natural rubber [of the Kong Flyer] makes for a softer, forgiving catch during fetch. It also delivers a dynamic rebound if your dog misses the initial toss. The natural KONG Classic red rubber formula is created to be durable." This is a classic, flexible rubber disc that can generally stand up to some tug-of-war action, too. Note that it only sometimes floats in water—depending on the way it lands, it can collect liquid and eventually sink to the bottom or hover somewhere beneath the surface.
• Outward Hound Invincibles: Plush toys usually aren’t recommended for intense chewers—and for good reason! Outward Hound creates some designs that can stand up to many tough jaws, though. They say “Invincibles are durable plush dog toys uniquely designed with an inner Dura-Tuff lining and reinforced with double-stitched seams for longer-lasting interactive play!”

Sturdy toys for dogs to chew on their own

• Pet Qwerks BarkBone Stick: These sticks can keep your dog occupied for long chunks of time—safely. “BarkBone Nylon Stick Dog Bones are designed with an all-new natural look and texture and made for easy pickup with plenty of nubs & knots to chew. Made with premium artisan nylon, these dog bones work best for determined & aggressive chewers.” They are flavored, too. The peanut butter option is popular!
• Willie Bones Modern Dog Chew Toy: According to the company, “Willie Bones are made with 100% natural rubber and are non-toxic, BPA and Phthalate free! Chewing is crucial for jaw strength, oral health and cleanliness, relieving separation anxiety and curing boredom.” Durable non-toxic rubber is a great material option to avoid adult teeth fractures while still satisfying your dog's heavy chewer instincts.
• West Paw Tux Treat Toy: West Paw says their Tux Treat Toy is built for aggressive chewers. “With three solid lobes, Tux is our toughest treat toy—made to stand up to some fearsome fangs. Tux's treat-hiding hollow cavity makes it ideal for short-snouted breeds to get to the nut butters, biscuits, and meaty bits. Once treats are long gone, Tux floats in water, bounces, and hangs tough through serious chew sessions.” We recommend filling it with plain greek yogurt, peanut butter, or even a special can of wet food.
• Feeko Ring Dog Chew Toy: Feeko takes advantage of the ring shape, though this toy is not big enough for most dogs to tug with—its better as a standalone chew option. “The shape is designed using basic mechanics and engineering principles. So these irregularities make the product more durable. Our chewing toy has passed countless times tested with German Shepherd, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Siberian Husky, Rab Rado, Golden Retriever, and many other powered chewers.” They also provide a lifetime replacement service.
• Gucho Chew Ring Indestructible Dog Toy: Gaucho says “the new material is updated based on previous rubber and nylon materials. The new industrial-strength natural rubber is softer than nylon toys, tougher than previous rubber toys, no breaking teeth or chunks but can hold almost the toughest chews.”
• Goughnuts Black MAXX Ring: As mentioned above, Goughnuts are often cited as some of the most indestructible dog toys available. These are single rings in multiple sizes meant for your dog to chew to their heart’s content.
• Goughnuts Stick: The same Goughnuts material many dog owners love in a straight stick format to enable your pup to hold it between their paws while they chew.
• KONG Extreme Chew Toy: This is a more durable take on the classic red Kong toy that has become a common sight in many dog owner homes. Kong says “this rubber toy is specifically designed for super power chewers and can help them get the exercise they need.” You can fill it with their favorite treats (peanut butter, greek yogurt, small bite-sized pieces, wet food, etc) to keep them occupied for different periods of time, like as you do chores around the house or practice introductory crate training.
• KONG Extreme Goodie Bone: Kong says "made from the most durable KONG Extreme unique, natural black rubber formula this bone is designed for determined chewers."

Supervise your dog while they chew!

Note that when we say “chew on their own” we mean not directly interacting with you in a game of tug, fetch, or other structured play—but that you absolutely should still supervise! Even durable rubber toys. designed for aggressive chewers, can be dangerous in the wrong circumstances.

Only leave your dog unattended with a toy or chew if you’re fully confident they won’t have problems with it. For example, some owners provide kongs or other thermoplastic rubber enrichment toys stuffed with treats like peanut butter in their dogs' crates before leaving the house, without issue. Others keep crates completely empty because of their pets’ tendencies to rip or devour anything they’re confined with (even if it purports to be made of indestructible rubber or nylon).

The best advice we have: Get to know your own dog and make careful risk assessments.

When in doubt? Consult with your trusted veterinarian or a professional trainer who can help you make decisions about your pup’s wellbeing!

Trainers that reviewed this article

There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality content to our community. We have our articles reviewed by qualified force free trainers.  

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Lindy Langum
Founder - K9 Fun Club
Staff Trainer - Summit Assistance Dogs
Certified in Canine Studies (CSS), NW School of Canine Studies

Sniffspot's Proprietary Survey Statistics

Sniffspot Research 2023, n = 4,092