Are any dog toys really indestructible? The short answer: No. The durable dog toy can stand up to rough play. But they’re indestructible, says Holly Lewis, founder of Cold Nose Canine. A durable toy will be different for every dog. A dog’s choice of an almost indestructible toy is an example of natural selection. No matter how expensive or unique your puppy’s new toy is, he may crush or ignore it unless it fits his play style.
Choosing Durable Dog Toys With Your Dog’s Play Style
Indestructible dog toys are made from a wide range of materials, from bullet-proof Kevlar to recycled plastic canvas. Their durability depends on your dog’s play style. Here are seven dog play styles.
- Tuggers: Got a tug-of-war champ? Look for toy ropes that are blended or reinforced with knots, rubber or nylon, like the Rompidogz Rugged Tug n Toss Rope. Have a large dog breed? Try a very long rope toy so your aggressive chewer doesn’t always have to bite it in the same place. And, add the human touch to handheld tug toys like the Tether Tug.
- Chewers: Rubber dog toys like the West Paw Hurley can withstand a lot of chomping. Nylon can chip or damage your dog’s teeth, says Holly. The general rule of thumb: It’s safe if you can indent a nylon dog toy with your thumbnail.
- Recipients: Tennis-ball fuzz can wear down your dog’s teeth like sandpaper. Stick to recycled plastic, all-natural rubber and silicone fetch toys. Invest in a dog toy launcher like the Chuckit! Sport Launcher Dog Toy.
- Hunters: Hunting breeds such as the Airedale Terrier may shake or tear their dog toys. If the squeaker is covered with nylon fabric, fire hose or latex, it can still go off. Rubber is harder for your power chewer to penetrate than a durable dog toy. An example is the Hyper Pet Dura-Squeaks Dog Chew Toy.
- workers: Give canine workaholics a food-giving toy like the West Paw Rumble. Fill it with kibble and watch it move, keeping your dog engaged. Or, you can fill a toy like the ZoomieRex IncrediBall with yogurt or wet food, freeze it and watch your dog play for hours. Hide-n-seek toys make great choices for dogs who like to work for their toys — and then chew and cuddle them. Examples are Bulltug Companies’ Trash N Seek and Zippy Paws Zippy Burrow
- Cuddlers: Human stuffed animals may not undergo an instant fluffectomy, but their plastic eyes and satin neck ribbons pose a choking hazard. Anti-bacterial poly-fill can also become a toxic gel, and stick to your dog’s gut. Buy plush dog toys made of ballistic nylon, heavy-duty canvas or Kevlar. Holly said goDog toys have a double liner and reinforced seams. Also, Outward Hound has the Xtreme Seamz Zebra Squeaky Plush Toy, and as squeaky as it goes, the toys last a while for most dogs.
Spin your dog’s sturdy toy
According to a 2008 study in Animal Cognition, 76% of dogs will choose unfamiliar objects over old toys. But rotating 10 used dog toys every 7 to 14 days can make them feel good again. There are some you may choose to avoid because there are perennial favorites, says Holly. Keep a mix of soft and hard dog toys. Add new scents by rolling them in grass or aniseed (aka “catnip for dogs”).
Takeaway tips for durable dog toys
- Go for the lifetime guarantee. Dog toy brands like RuffDawg and Goughnuts have lifetime toy replacement guarantees, so you get more bang for your buck for durable dog toys for aggressive chewers.
- Stick with a dog toy subscription box made for heavy chewers. Stop shuffling through endless customer reviews to find durable dog toys for moderate and aggressive chewers that will survive your dog’s Jaws-of-Life. Dog toy subscription companies like BarkBox can ship nonperishable dog toys straight to your door. Here is a full list of these companies.
- Don’t use dog toys as a substitute for human interaction. If you’re not around to provide encouragement, indestructible dog toys won’t hold your pup’s interest for very long.
Featured Image Credit: Jetta Productions/Walter Hodges / Getty Images
