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 make your pup happy — and stand up to their strong teeth. Providing appropriate chewing outlets can help prevent household destruction!
Dogs evolved in an open world. They could act naturally without unfair repercussions — they had space to run, things 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 canine 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 — and 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 (and opt for heavy duty options when in doubt).
More on that next!
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!
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 more 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.
Squeakers can be a bonus or a challenge for some dogs. Many pets find the high-pitched squeaks incredibly fun — but some dogs become extra fixated on toys that have squeakers inside, making them more likely to rip the product apart.
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.
Age often correlates with dental health and teeth strength (although there’s always variability within individuals).
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.
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.)
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.)
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:
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, while making dinner, and so on. 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.
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!
Note that when we say “chew on their own” we mean not directly interacting with you in a game of tug, fetch, or so on — 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!
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 Research 2023, n = 4,092
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All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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