Best Chew Toys for Dogs – Top-Rated Chewing Toy Brands Review for 2020
It’s natural for dogs to chew a lot, and this is simply an aspect to their personality. In fact, dogs need to chew; puppies do so as they’re teething, and even adult dogs should chew in order to keep their muscles strong, their brain engaged, and their teeth clean. Finding great chew toys for your dog is an investment in both their physical and mental health. If you don’t, your dog will chew anyways–on your couch, carpet, and other objects you don’t want them to put in their mouths.
There are a lot of chew toys currently on the market. How do you begin to determine which ones are the best for your pet? No two dogs chew alike. The first step is to figure out what kind of chewer your dog tends to be. Do they tend to inhale or gulp as they bit off large chunks and swallow? Do they simply nibble at treats or toys and take their time? Or, is your dog more of a destroyer who thoroughly rips toys and may or may not eat what they tear apart?
Top 5 Dog Chew Toys
There are certain kinds of toys that are best for these three main types of chewers. For inhalers, you should get:
- Firm chew toys (rubber or other firm material)
- Stuffed toys
- Rope chews
- Tennis balls
If your dog’s more of a nibbler, get:
- Rawhides
- Edible chews
- Tennis balls
- Stuffed toys
- Bully sticks
And if they’re a destroyer, you should purchase:
- Edible chews
- Bully sticks
- Rawhides
- Firm chew toys
Once you’ve figured out what type of toy is best for your dog, take a look at our list of the top ten chew toys below.
The Best Dog Chew Toys List
① USA Bones & Chews Cotton Rope Dog Toy
This rope toy is both a tug toy and a chew challenge for your pet, making playtime fun and engaging. At each end of the rope is a beef bone that’s perfect for your dog to gnaw on. These bones help to maintain moisture in the cotton rope, so there isn’t any splintering and your pup has this toy for a long time. Rope toys are also highly recommended, as they support healthy gums and teeth. This product doesn’t contain any beach, chemicals, or other unwanted fillers or ingredients so you can rest assured it’ll support your dog’s overall health.
Pros
- Rope supports healthy gums and teeth
- Contains zero bleach, chemicals, flavors, artificial colors or preservatives; both rope toy and bones are completely natural
- Dog can play with you or play by themselves
Cons
- When a dog begins to rip the toy apart, strings come undone and get everywhere; these strings may be a choking hazard
- Dogs tend to shred the rope then ignore it to focus on the beef bones
② Nylabone DuraChew Textured Ring Flavor Medley
This chewy chicken-flavored toy by Nylabone is perfect for chewing and for chasing. The toy was developed in a disc shape that your pet can chew for hours at a time. Roll it across the floor for your pet to chase, or play tug of war. The ring is textured and was designed to promote healthy gums and teeth as it removes tartar and plaque buildup. There are grooves and ridges for chewing appeal, and this toy is often recommended by vets as a means to keep your dog busy and prevent them from chewing on other objects in your house.
Pros
- Durable and holds up to intense chewing; textured design has ridges and nubs to encourage chewing and fight boredom
- Designed to clean teeth and promote healthy gums
- Recommended by vets
Cons
- Very hard and heavy; may pose a danger if your pet tosses it around
- Not ideal for medium or small dogs and is most suitable for large breeds
③ Nylabone DuraChew Double Bone Bacon Flavor Dog Toy
The only thing better than bacon flavor is double bacon flavor, and this toy definitely delivers on that delicious taste your dog loves. The chew is made from durable nylon that even aggressive chewers will have for a long time, and it was designed to entertain your dog and prevent them from chewing other household items you don’t want them to get their paws on. Not only that, this long-lasting chew helps to freshen their breath and remove plaque and tartar. Its bacon flavor encourages healthy and safe chewing habits, and with four different bone tips, it’s very easy for your dog to grab and hold this toy.
Pros
- Durable and rugged construction so this chew is long-lasting
- Encourages safe chewing while it cleans teeth and freshens breath
- Vet recommended so you can feel confident about giving your dog this toy
Cons
- The bacon flavor is chemically induced; not a natural flavor
- Still tends to be chewed to pieces within a couple days
④ Petstages Dogwood Stick Dog Chew
The key to embracing your dog’s chewing instincts is to offer objects that satisfy chewing urges. Petstages makes this easier for you by offering a line of innovative chewing toys that were specifically developed to address dental and chewing health, for every stage of development that your dog goes through. This chew stick includes material that combines synthetic, durable material with real wood, so it’s exactly like a real stick, only safer. With this Dogwood, your dog is guaranteed to stay engaged and happy, no matter which stage they’re at.
Pros
- Innovative design is safer than real sticks
- Easy to play fetch and floats in water
- Varying sizes for dogs of all breeds and ages
Cons
- When toy begins to wear away and crumble, edges become very sharp and unsafe
- Not ideal for dogs who tend to pull on their toys; will pull apart easily
⑤ Benebone Bacon Flavored Wishbone
This dog chew toy by Benebone is wishbone-shaped and bacon-flavored. With durable nylon material and a real bacon flavor, it goes beyond the average toy to keep your dog chewing for hours. There are several prongs to the toy, and each one has a blast of flavor in the grooves, designed to hold your pet’s interest. The curves of the bone allow your dog to get in a good bite, and it provides a larger surface area for flavor and scent. In addition, with every purchase from Benebone, you’ll support national animal welfare since a portion of all sales goes to animal support organizations.
Pros
- Developed using food grade bacon; no artificial flavor
- Deep grooves and curves allow your dog to bite well and get great flavor and scent
- Durable material lasts a long time
Cons
- Best suited only for dogs who weigh 70 pounds or less
- Not a good fit for aggressive chewers; these dogs may hurt their teeth chewing on the product
⑥ Nylabone DuraChew Axis Dog Bone
This chew toy features a unique axis shape that puts it in the perfect position for easy chewing from any angle for any dog. It’s created from durable, tough nylon material that withstands even the most aggressive chewers. Not only does the toy promote healthy and safe chewing habits that discourages chewing that’s destructive, it also helps to clean your pup’s teeth. Dogs easily get bored, but you don’t need to worry about boredom with DuraChew’s Axis Bone. They’ll get the perfect grip and stay focused for hours as they find long-lasting relief from the urge to chew.
Pros
- Bacon flavored and easily gets dogs excited and eager
- Recommended by vets
- Durable material lasts long and cleans teeth, reducing tartar and plaque
Cons
- Recommended only for dogs who are 50 pounds or heavier
- The three sides of the toy are easy to break off, which ruins the toy
⑦ KONG Classic Dog Toy
KONG is a well-known brand among pet owners, and for good reason. This toy is a classic. It’s reliable, fun, and durable. Made from all natural rubber, it gives a fun bounce that pets love. To add excitement to playing and chewing, it’s easy to fill your KONG with peanut butter, kibble, or treats, and your dog will work away for hours. Whether your dog loves to fetch or needs something new to chew, KONG will fulfill your needs and keep them occupied for hours. Best of all, it’s easy to clean and created from safe, durable materials.
Pros
- Classic toy that thousands of pet owners love
- Features an erratic bounce to add even more fun to playtime
- Easy to stick in peanut butter or treats so your dog is occupied for an extended period of time
Cons
- Not indestructible; easy to chew the top portion off
- Can be difficult to match the different sizes available to your dog’s needs
⑧ USA Bones & Chews Cotton Rope with Hooves Dog Toy
USA Bones & Chews provides you with the tools for ultimate play time, and this cotton rope with hooves is no different. It provides your dog with a two-in-one tug toy and chewing challenge. Both the rope, made from a cotton blend, and the dried hooves are completely made in the USA. Each hoof was developed without sharp edges, so it’s safe for your pet to chew on, while the rope is perfect for interactive play and it supports healthy gums and teeth. Be warned–the hooves may smell bad to pet owners, but it’s been proven that dogs love the smell.
Pros
- Great two-in-one toy with durable hooves and rope material that cleans your pup’s teeth
- Made with absolutely no bleach, chemicals, fillers, or artificial flavors
- Offers an excellent chewing challenge and prevents your dog from destructive behaviors
Cons
- Hoof smell is difficult for many owners to stomach; akin to manure
- Contains a natural oil, which is released while your dog chews, and this oil could potentially stain your carpeting and furniture
⑨ Mammoth TireBiter Tire Dog Toy
These TireBiters created by Mammoth were designed to be especially tough and are created from natural rubber that’s formulated specially, as well as two-ply nylon. The tire is perfect for tugging, tossing, and other interactive play, keeping your dog entertained and occupied as you satisfy their natural urge to chew. As a durable and strong toy, it satisfies even the most aggressive chewers and lasts for a long time. Additionally, the toy has been tested and officially declared non toxic for dogs.
Pros
- Durable and strong enough for even the most aggressive chewers
- Non toxic
- Durable and excellent for interactive play such as tugging, toss, and fetch
Cons
- Very big compared to the size of some dogs; appropriate only for large breeds
- Long-lasting enough that dogs tend to lose interest, and the smell of rubber is quite strong
⑩ KONG Extreme Goodie Bone
This extreme bone by the well-loved and well-known brand KONG provides your dog with the challenge they’re looking for. With black rubber that’s all natural, the toy features not one but two Goodie Grippers that you can fill with peanut butter, treats, or kibble to add great excitement to your pet’s playtime. Best of all, this toy was designed with powerful, aggressive chewers in mind and will last for a long time. With this toy, you can keep your dog happy and occupied.
Pros
- Provides long-lasting fun with durable and natural black rubber
- Interactive; has two Goodie Grippers you can fill with treats
- Operates either as a fetch toy or chew toy to keep your pet occupied for hours
Cons
- Dogs easily chew up the flexible ends, which ruins the purpose of the toy
- Dogs tend to dislike the toy unless a treat is inside; won’t chew it on its own
Conclusion & What is the Best Chew Toy for Dogs
There’s no need to worry about your dog’s excessive chewing–chewing is a natural aspect to being a dog, no matter whether your dog is a puppy or an adult. Whichever development stage your pet is in, it’s important to invest in toys that satisfy their chewing cravings as they also clean teeth and prevent destructive behaviors. If you have a great chew toy, your pet won’t chew up your couch, carpet, and other furniture while you’re gone. All you need to do is determine which type of chewer your dog is, what kind of toy is best suitable, and take a look at our top ten chew toys outlined above to get started.
