Other than the food and training and love and all the other things needed when owning a dog, chew toys are an absolute necessity! For your dog’s sake and your own (or at least your belongings), finding the right chew toy for your pup means you need to consider the size of the toy and if they will actually be interested in chewing it.
With the plethora of available toys out there, it can be time-consuming trying to find the perfect one. Here are reviews of 10 of the best chew toys for dogs so you can get the perfect one quickly and easily.
X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, or XX-Large
Breed size:
All sizes
Chew style:
Tough chewers
The best overall chew toy for dogs is KONG’s Classic Dog Toy. These have been around for 40 years and are perfect for tough chewers. They are made with durable rubber and hollow on the inside, so you can stuff them with treats (peanut butter is a favorite among dog owners). They bounce erratically and provide hours of chewing time, which can help entertain your dog when you’re away. They come in sizes sizes, so they’re great for dogs of all breeds.
The main problems are that dogs that are serious chewers might destroy it, and the sizing tends to run small.
The best chew toy for dogs for the money is Nylabone Power Chewy Original Flavored Wishbone. This chew is made with durable nylon and flavored to encourage your dog to keep chewing. It’s available in small and medium sizes, and the shape makes it easy for dogs to hold between their paws while chewing.
It has tiny bristles that can clean the teeth and gums while your dog chews, and it’s made in the U.S.A. However, it is a bit too big for toy breeds and too small for giant breeds.
Pros
Affordable
Durable flavored nylon to encourage chewing
Shape makes it easy for dogs to hold
Includes small bristles to clean the teeth
Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
Only good for small to medium dogs
3. Nylabone Power Chew Knuckle Bone Big Dog — Premium Choice
Nylabone’s Power Chew Knuckle Bone Big Dog Chew is our premium-choice pick because it’s an excellent bone for large and giant breeds. It’s a durable nylon bone with chicken flavor, which should encourage long chewing sessions. Like many of the other Nylabones, it has small bristles for cleaning teeth and helps promote oral health.
But it is pricier than some other chew toys, and it’s only suitable for large dogs. So, you’ll have to look elsewhere if you have a dog under 50 pounds.
KONG Puppy Tires Dog Toy is perfect for puppies with teething issues and has a durable rubber tire shape. You can store it in the freezer, which can help soothe sore gums, and the inner track of the toy can be filled with treats, which will give them hours of fun retrieving them. It’s made in the U.S. and like the other KONGs, can entertain your puppy by bouncing erratically.
The main issue is that while it comes in two sizes (small and medium/large), the largest size might be too small for large-breed puppies. Check the measurements before you purchase.
Pros
Great for teething puppies
Durable rubber tire toy
Can be put in the freezer to soothe sore gums
The inner rim can be stuffed with treats
Cons
Might be too small for large puppies
5. Ruff Dawg Indestructible Ball Tough Dog Chew Toy
Ruff Dawg’s Indestructible Ball Tough Dog Chew Toy is a solid rubber ball that can act as a chew toy and ball for playing fetch. Since it’s solid rubber, it’s much tougher than a hollow rubber ball. It can float in water, is made with non-toxic materials, and is manufactured in the U.S.
But the company claims that it’s indestructible, and it isn’t if you have a powerful chewer. Also, the large ball might be too large for some breeds, and it’s quite heavy.
Jolly Pets Tuff Treader Dog Toy is made with durable rubber, which is definitely one of the toughest materials to withstand a dog’s chewing. The surface is raised in areas that can help clean your dog’s teeth while chewing, and the inner rim can be stuffed with treats. It is dishwasher safe and has a handle that is also quite chewable.
One of this product’s issues is that it is a bit cumbersome for small dogs, and they might not be able to carry it around. Also, the handle is the smallest part, so it tends to get chewed off easily by tough chewers.
Pros
Made with durable rubber
Raised surface promotes oral health
Can be filled with treats
Dishwasher safe
Cons
A bit large for small dogs
Handle can get chewed up easily
7. Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy
You can never go wrong with anything bacon flavored! Benebone’s Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy has a wishbone design, which enables dogs to hold it easily while chewing. The bacon flavor has been sourced from real bacon, which should keep dogs chewing for a long time. Everything about this bone is made in the U.S., including the bacon flavoring, packaging, and the toy itself. When you purchase anything from Benebone, part of the sale goes to support animal welfare organizations.
However, it might not last long enough for power chewers, and some dogs might chew sharp edges into it, which could cut their gums.
Pros
Bacon flavored
Wishbone design is easier for dogs to hold
Made in the U.S.A.
Part of the sale supports animal welfare organizations
The Petstages Dogwood Tough Dog Chew Toy is unique because it combines natural wood with synthetic material, which helps it last longer. It also smells like wood, which can keep your dog interested in chewing it. You can use it to play toss and fetch, even into the water, as it can float. It’s safer to chew than real sticks, and it’s made in the U.S.
But this chew toy is only safe for moderate chewers, as power chewers will likely break off pieces, which isn’t safe.
Pros
Combines real wood with synthetic material
Smells like wood to attract your dog
Floats in the water
Safer to chew than real sticks
Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
Not suitable for power chewers
Might be unsafe for some dogs after chewing pieces off
KONG’s Extreme Ball Dog Toy features KONG’s usual durable rubber, making it tough and long lasting. It can act as two different toys for your dog: a chew toy and a ball for throwing and playing fetch. It has quite a bounce to it, so it’s bound to entertain your pup for a while. It comes in two sizes for small up to large dogs, and like most KONG products, it has a hole so you can put treats inside.
However, the largest size is still relatively small, so you’ll want to look elsewhere if you have a giant breed. Also, the hole for treats is quite small, so it can be difficult for dogs to get them out.
ROGZ by KONG Grinz Treat Ball Dog Toy will probably be more entertaining for you than your dog. But your dog should still enjoy it. It features a big toothy smile, so it will look like your dog is smiling while they play with it. It’s much softer than the other toys on this list, so it will be quite suitable for dogs that aren’t serious chewers. It’s lightweight, floats in the water, and includes a hole for stuffing treats inside.
Unfortunately, the smile painted on the ball tends to rub off after a while, and the hole for treats is quite large, so they tend to just fall out. It comes in several colors, but you don’t get to choose the one that you want.
Pros
Hilarious ball that gives your dog a big toothy smile
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Chew Toy For Your Dog
Before settling on a new chew toy once and for all, check out these pointers that might help you make a more informed decision.
Size
Always double-check the physical measurements of the chew toy, and don’t just rely on pictures of the product. Wherever you buy your toy from, the company will have the measurements on the listing somewhere. You might need to do a bit of digging to find it, or you can post a question on the website, but buying the right-sized toy is essential. A small dog will struggle with a large toy, and a toy that’s too small for a large dog could be a choking hazard.
Indestructible
There is no such thing as an indestructible chew toy. If a company states this on its product, don’t assume that it’s true, particularly if you have a powerful chewer. You want it as close to indestructible as possible, but for some dogs, you’ll be lucky to keep it for a few weeks.
Typically, rubber is one of the better materials because it’s durable and has little give, which makes it easier for dogs to chew.
Photo Credit: Kristesoro, Shutterstock
Chew Type
This describes how much of a chewer your dog is. Some dogs can break down an indestructible chew toy in a matter of hours! So, always pay attention to your dog’s chewing style to figure out the best toy for them. Toys that are too hard can damage teeth, and toys that are too soft can be broken down easily, with the chance of your dog swallowing the pieces.
Supervision
Regardless of how confident you are that a toy is safe with your dog, you should always supervise them when they are gnawing away at anything. If you notice that large pieces of the toy have come off, throw them away immediately. Also, it doesn’t take long for a dog to potentially create a sharp edge that can cut their gums or to swallow a large piece, leading to choking or an eventual intestinal blockage.
Our Chew Toys for Dogs Selection Process
Our Hepper team includes experienced writers and editors who collaborate closely with licensed veterinarians to find the best, most beneficial pet products. Customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary insights, and, occasionally, hands-on testing are a few factors they consider when making their selections. Our goal is to choose and review only the highest-quality products to help our readers make informed decisions that benefit both them and their pets.
Why Trust Hepper?
Hepper has been an evolving online resource since 2007, specializing in innovating and retailing a range of cat furniture, gear, and toys, and pet consumables. This experience has given our team valuable insights into selecting chew toys for dogs. Our passionate team of animal-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is truly committed to helping readers make the best choices for their pet companions. We are focused on delivering accurate information and recommending the highest-quality products available. Our team is wholeheartedly invested in the health and well-being of pets everywhere, believing that expert knowledge is key to success.
Conclusion
Our favorite is KONG’s Classic Dog Toy, which provides hours of chewing and the opportunity to stuff it with treats to keep your dog entertained. Nylabone’s Power Chewy Original Flavored Wishbone has a unique shape that makes it easy for dogs to hold between their paws and is quite affordable.
Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things animals. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her strong love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly mischievous tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog.
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