Some dogs are gentle with their toys, delicately carrying them around in their mouths and even sleeping with them. Other dogs are the complete opposite. The minute they get their mouths on a toy, the destruction begins. Their goal: demolish the object as quickly as possible. They rip out the squeaker, tear out the stuffing, and shred the material to pieces. Tennis balls aren't safe from these saboteurs either. They chew them so hard the rubber cracks. Some even rip the fuzz off the outside of the ball.
While you may be tempted to stop buying toys for your dog, it's important not to give up. Playing with toys is a vital way your dog can expend excess energy, work out his aggressions, and just have fun. But if you have one of these toy destroyers, how do you keep him occupied without going broke? When your dog can make short work of a $5 stuffed toy, what's left? Fortunately, dog toy manufacturers are wise to the antics of powerful chewers and dogs that like to rip toys to pieces. A handful of very strong toys designed to thwart the destructive jaws of hard players are available on the market. Here are my favorites.
Busy Buddy® Squirrel Dude™ Dog Toy
This super-durable squirrel-shaped rubber toy is bouncy to keep your dog interested in playing longer. The toy can hold different kinds of treats, including kibble, dry treats, cheese, and peanut butter. It's also dishwasher-safe.
Kong Tires
One of the most popular Kong toys available is the Kong Tire, a durable tire-shaped chew toy designed to withstand the toughest jaws. The toy's uniquely shaped sidewalls and thick outer tread create a tough elastic barrier that doubles up and rebounds when compressed.
AKC Plush Mallard Toy
For dogs who like to destroy plush squeaky toys, the AKC Plush Mallard is a good choice. The strong plush fabric is double-stitched, and unlike most plush toys, isn't filled with stuffing. This discourages dogs from trying to tear it up. The double-stitched embroidered details means there are no small parts to rip off and swallow.
Outward Hound Invincibles Snake Toy
The brightly colored Outward Hound Invincibles Snake features 2 layers of super-tough fabric, double-layers seams, and special squeakers that keep on squeaking after being punctured. No stuffing for your dog to pull out.
West Paw Tux Treat Toy
The Tux Treat Toy is the toughest toy in the West Paw Zogoflex line of dog toys. Designed for the toughest chewer, the toy is non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and made in the USA. Besides its bouncy quality, the Tux Treat Toy can be filled with peanut butter, dog biscuits, and bits of meat to keep dogs entertained for hours.
So if you're frustrated with spending money on toys that are quickly dismantled by your canine demolisher, take heart. Each year, more durable toys are appearing on the market, designed to last longer and withstand the toughest jaws, while also being safe for your dog.
When toy shopping, look for products that are labeled with words like "tough" and "indestructible." Toys with these descriptions are meant to stand up to dogs that are determined to destroy them and have fun trying.
