Best Dog Toys for Chewers

Your dog has an instinct to chew. This instinct can take a toll on your shoes, blankets, and other household objects. Providing your pup with plenty of toys to stimulate the chewing urge will help direct the chewing in a positive direction. We have prepared a list here of the best dog toys for chewers.

There are a few items to consider when purchasing chew toys for your pups. Local pet stores and online retailers such as Chewy.com and Amazon.com provide plenty of options for you to choose from.

Using chew toys as part of your dog training will help foster positive behavior. Be sure to provide your dog with a variety of chewing options to provide your dog with entertainment as well as health benefits.

Why is Chewing Important for Dogs?

Chewing occurs as a natural habit for dogs. It is even essential for dogs to chew to get some physical and mental stimulation. 

Proper chewing habits among dogs should be taught so that your furry friend does not just go chewing anything he can get his mouth into.

In fact, with regulated chewing, dogs can benefit much from this exercise. Here are a few benefits that a dog can gain from chewing.

Better Oral Health

One of the benefits that dogs can gain from chewing is the promotion of better oral health. 

Some chew toys are designed to help remove tartar and plaque. As a consequence, this could prevent the onset of periodontal diseases. 

Chewing also exercises the muscles in and around the mouth. It helps promote healthy gums and facial muscles.

During the teething stage, puppies find the need to chew to assuage teething discomfort. 

Prevents Boredom

Chewing provides an excellent past-time for pups. It keeps them from getting bored and relieves anxiety and stress. 

Lack of physical exercise may be diverted into some chewing activity for dogs to spend some of their energy.

Prevents the Development of Destructive Behaviors

Chewing provides comfort and helps in calming dogs, especially those suffering from separation anxiety. Instead of putting their energy into destructive behaviors when bored, dogs are provided a positive alternative by chewing.

When not provided with chew toys, dogs would find other options to chew. They may opt to take a bite of your shoes, carpet, furniture, or anything within their mouth’s reach.

Provides Physical and Mental Stimulation

Some chew toys are designed as interactive toys. Dogs would need physically and mentally figure out how to use these chew toys before getting the best out of these toys.

These type of chew toys stimulates dogs physically and mentally. It keeps them physically entertained and mentally engaged. 

What Kind of Chew Toys is Safe for Your Dog?

As responsible dog owners, it is important that we provide our dogs with the right kinds of toys to promote overall well-being. Choosing the right chew toys that would provide our dogs with the benefits of chewing yet are safe for them is essential. 

Knowing how to choose the right toy is essential to know which ones to avoid. Here are some general guidelines on how to choose the right chew toys for your pups.

Age

The first consideration is your dog’s age.

If your puppy is young, between two and ten months old, it will go through the teething process. During this time, you want to provide your young teething puppies with teething toys to soothe their gums. This also helps teach your puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not. 

Size

Make sure the chew toy is the appropriate size for your dog’s mouth.

A toy that is too small can easily be swallowed and would pose a choking hazard to your pet. On the other hand, getting one that is too big would serve no purpose if your dog could not bite or chew on it.

Most dog toys come in sizes and are made for various dog breeds. Be sure to get one that is appropriate for your dog’s size and breed.

Durable

The best indestructible dog toys should be durable to withstand chewing, especially for aggressive chewers. 

Choose toys that are made of durable materials like rubber, nylon, and rope. Most toys made of these are made for aggressive chewers.

These materials could withstand excessive chewing for a long time without breaking. Remember, toys that break could create splinters or small parts that could be choking hazards. 

Home-made chew toys made of animal bones should be avoided. These are the kind of materials that could break and cause splinter. At the same time, dogs may accidentally swallow the broken pieces, which could cause choking or internal injuries.

Functionality

The best dog chew toys should not only be durable but also have some functional benefits.

These are the toys that develop your dog’s chewing habits properly, promote dental health, help with anxiety or boredom, and stimulate mentally and physically.

Chewing Style

Also, consider your dog’s preferences. Some dogs prefer more challenging materials to chew, while others are contented to get their teeth and mouths on something soft or more pliable.

By choosing the right toy for your dog, you are assured that your dog will be contented and will not look for other alternatives like your shoes. 

Durable Dog Toys for Chewers

Finding an indestructible dog toy for aggressive chewers can be a challenging task.

Aggressive chewers can easily destroy the most durable dog toys on the market, and pet owners need to consider their dog’s chewing styles, durability, and safety.

For Puppies

When your puppy is young, between two and ten months old, it will go through the teething process. During this time, you want to provide your young pup with teething toys to soothe their gums. This also helps teach your puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not.

You can find freezable toys such as freezable chewing/teething toys like this one or teething stick. There are varieties of soft chew toys that will also soothe your puppies’ teeth while satisfying their urge to chew.

While your puppy is young, it is important to select the proper size for chewing. A two-month-old puppy needs a smaller toy. As your pups get older, discard the old toy, as it may become a choking hazard for your pups unless you have small dogs.

Check our blog post here on other choices for the best chew toys for puppies.

For Active Dogs

If your dog loves being very active and seems to have endless energy, choosing a toy that stimulates its mind and body during play may be a good idea. One great option is a toy that releases a treat, such as the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball. This treat toy is an interactive yet durable toy, where your pet would have to figure out how to get treats to fall out of the ball.

Along with treat-dispensing toys, your active dog may also enjoy chewing and playing with motion-activated toys such as the Hyper Pet Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Dog Toys. This toy will keep your dog moving while still allowing a soft chewing experience.

For Aggressive Chewers

Your dog may be the type that tears a plush chew toy to shreds within minutes. Or, he may tear apart even those sturdy rubber toys. If that is the case, you would want to select a chew toy designed to withstand and encourage your pup’s rough chewing.

The Tikaton Indestructible Dog Chew Toy mimics a natural bone stick and is popular as one of the best dog toys for aggressive chewers. It can withstand your dog’s aggressive chewing.

Kong also makes a specific model called the KONG - Extreme Dog Toy that will support your rough chewer. It is likely a good idea to stick with rubber, nylon, or rope toys for an aggressive chewer to avoid ingestion of plush parts.

And if your dog loves doughnuts, he most definitely would love chewing on these Goughnuts. Made of natural rubber, it can withstand extreme chewing.

For Oral Hygiene

Not only will chew toys help entertain, soothe, and stimulate your dog, but they will also help keep your pup’s teeth cleaner. It is still important to brush your dog’s teeth, but many chew toys are designed to help maintain your dog’s healthy mouth.

Some chew toys can be left out for your pup that can help keep plaque down, such as this toothbrush dog chew toy.

Another choice for oral care would be the Hartz Chew 'n Clean Bacon Flavored Dog Chew Toy. This is a chew toy and a doggie treat all in one. It satisfies our dog’s chewing urge while providing oral care too.

Plush Chew Toys

Your dog may love plush toys for play. These toys can be found at pet retailers such as Petsmart and Petco. However, plush toys can be found at stores such as Target and even Dollar Tree. Although these toys may be very popular, it is important to make sure the size and materials are appropriate for your dog.

Soft and cuddly toys such as these cute creatures may be a great choice for chewing and playing if your dog is not an aggressive chewer. Plush dog toys may be a great option if your pup enjoys soft toys but may be a bit more aggressive in their chewing habits.

If your pup loves plush toys, but you don’t want to be picking up stuff for days, consider chewing toys without plush filling, such as the No Stuffing Plush Dogs Chew Toy that will still make for fun chew time.

Antlers

Fitting for dogs of all chewing habits, antlers will be a favorite for your pup.

Pet stores and online retailers carry a variety of antlers, from deer and elk, that make for a great, natural chew toy for your dog. It is also considered the best dog toy for chewers because of its durability.

When selecting an antler for your pup, be sure to adhere to the suggested size for each antler. This will help keep your pup safe while chewing. When the antler gets smaller, monitor your dog’s chewing carefully and discard it when it becomes ingestible.

Chew Toy Safety

It is important to consider your dog’s size, age, and temperament when selecting the right chew toy. Supervising your dog during playtime with chew time is always best.

Although chew toys may be safe for your pup to chew on endlessly, small parts can come off and harm your pet. Be sure to inspect your dog’s chew toys regularly to ensure there are no sharp parts or pieces that could be harmful.

You should also monitor your dog while they are chewing, even on the toughest chew toy. This will help make sure the new toy is safe for your pup.

Chew Your Way Out of Doggy Problems

Chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for dogs. Chewing can help relieve stress, promote dental health, and prevent destructive behavior. However, it’s important to supervise your dog while they’re chewing, especially if they’re aggressive chewers or if they have a history of swallowing objects.

Chew toys are a great accessory in dog training. As responsible pet parents, providing our pups with a few dog toys is necessary to stimulate them physically and mentally.

Always keep an eye on your pup when they are enjoying chew time. Keep plenty of chewing options to help guide your dog to appropriate, happy chew time.